3 negative impacts of the Tourism Industry you may not know about
The tourism industry is, without any doubt, one of the most powerful pillars of globalization and plays a very important role in the evolution of the international economy.
Tourist activity has long been known as "the chimneyless industry," for the same reason and wrongly considered a non-polluting industry.
This has underestimated the impact environmental, social, cultural, economic, religious, etc., of this activity.
The tourism industry is worth more than $7 trillion annually. It’s also one of the largest employers in the world.
However, it has wide-ranging social and environmental impacts. From a loss of authenticity to exploitation and environmental destruction, there are negative impacts of tourism that we must address if we want to keep this industry alive.
3 Negative Impacts of the Tourism Industry: What Can We Do About Them?
1. Tourism has wide-ranging impacts that we must address: social, environmental, and economic.
2. How to make a difference as a tourist
3. Responsible tourism ideas and tips for your next vacation
1. Tourism has wide-ranging impacts that we must address: social, environmental, and economic.
Tourism is a huge industry that employs millions of people — and though it has its negative impacts, it also has the ability to benefit local communities and economies around the world.
Tourism can be a force for good — but only if we work together to make it so.
Tourism is a major contributor to the global economy. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, 1.2 billion people traveled internationally in 2015, and this number is expected to grow by at least 4% per year.
While this is a unique opportunity to increase global connectivity, it also presents challenges.
The potential impacts are multiple: water pollution and soil loss, loss of wet land, loss of farmland, changes in soil changes in the structure of agricultural production, changes in the configuration of agricultural production, coastal area, among others.
The importance of tourism and its relations to the environment has become an important issue for the United Nations in the 1970s. This was because the emergence of "other development" and "green growth" were seen as challenges to the integrity of the planet.
Tourism, as one of a key sector of economic growth, will be crucial in determining whether “other development” is able to provide a better quality of life for all or whether it leaves people behind in poverty.
Social Impact
The impact on local culture is related to the way tourists live their lives when traveling. This type of impact will vary according to different types of tourists and locals, whether in terms of race, culture, practices religious, etc.
That is why it is said that in order to establish this type of impact it is very important to know the "type" of tourist that reaches the zone.
We have, for example, the case of the tourist type "explorer", who arrives in a very limited number to the area, but it accepts and adapts totally to your locality; as well as, otherwise, the typical tourist "charter" that arrives massively in the area and requests amusements from their place of origin.
If you’ve ever been on vacation somewhere, you may have noticed that the more popular a place is with tourists, the less authentic it becomes.
At this level, for example, there are also many influences, especially in the development or disappearance of local handicrafts. Another harmful effect that tourism can bring to the community is progressive segregation. Tourism is dominating the best sites, and the local population is being displaced or excluded from their own lands.
As we see the social impact can occur at several levels:
• impact on the infrastructure of the population
• Transformation of different types of occupation
• Transformation of population values
• Influence in local identity
2. Environmental impact
To develop tourism, we must consider the beauty of nature and the enjoyment of a clean atmosphere. We must also identify what these resources are. Without them, tourist attractions become meaningless. This requires proper use of natural resources — careful harvesting to ensure that we don’t deplete our stock of tourist attractions.
In 1983 the global tourism organization identified 5 situations where tourism could harm the environment:
Disruption of the ecological situation in regions where the environment was previously in good condition both in its natural, cultural, and human aspects.
Speculative pressures leading to the destruction of the landscape and natural habitat.
Occupation of space and the creation of activities irreconcilable conflict with land use.
Cause damage to the traditional values of the areas in issue and a decrease in the standards of scale human developments.
A progressive overload that decreases the quality of the environment of the area in question.
Tourists tend to be drawn to the most complex environments fragile areas, whether small islands, coastal areas, alpine areas of historical or cultural interests.
Impacts can be derived from environmental issues such as:
A concentrated construction of hotel infrastructure, urban expansion, vehicle congestion.
Change in land use.
Problems picking up trash.
Destruction of species
The increased population density in high season
Changes in population habits
Health problems for the population
Increased demand for basic services, water, energy, Etc.
For these impacts, we can propose measures to help mitigate them how:
Study and actions of environmental improvement
Wildlife conservation designation, creating parks and reserve areas
Develop studies for garbage recycling
Municipal cleaning programs
Control of access to recreation areas
Environmental education, etc.
- Source: Anthropology of Tourism
3. Economic impact
For countries around the world, tourism is a major contributor to their economy. Other countries such as Spain and Greece see their economies as heavily dependent upon tourism while Germany and Britain have smaller contributions to their economies from tourism.
The benefits brought by tourism aren't always positive. A study by the Center for American Progress shows that tourism can bring small to moderate economic benefits, but those benefits are outweighed by negative sociocultural externalities.
There is a significant disparity between the purchasing power of tourists and that of the inhabitants of the area and especially in a state where the supply of goods and services does not sufficiently respond fast in relation to demand; tourism can also develop inflation, mainly affecting the local population.
How to make a difference as a tourist
Travel is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in life. Getting to know the people, the culture, and the environment where you are traveling is an incredible experience that can enrich your life for years to come.
But what exactly does it mean to be a sustainable tourist? Let´s take a look at what it means to travel sustainably, how you can do it.
Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.
― Anita Desai
When you travel to a new place, you can make a difference to the local economy by spending your money locally and being a conscientious tourist. By going to local businesses, eating at local restaurants, and buying things from local shops, you’re supporting the local economy and providing jobs for the people who live there.
What can you do to be a more sustainable tourist?
Travel is a way of life, but the way you travel can have a big impact on the environment. Here are a few ways to be a more sustainable and responsible tourist:
Pack a reusable water bottle. Instead of buying plastic water bottles, pack a reusable water bottle and fill it up when you’re on the go. Refilling your reusable water bottle can reduce plastic waste, as it reduces the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans each year.
Show respect for your local culture. Spend time learning about the day-to-day life of your destination. Research hotels information such as where does food come from, how to get a vegetarian meal at a restaurant, the local attractions, and how to respond to a hotel receptionist. When you show more respect for the local people who live and enjoy your destination you will experience a more authentic and meaningful experience.
Avoid low-quality or unsustainable tourist products. If you are traveling to Europe and you plan on snorkeling or taking a boat, you may want to avoid products made by companies that dump plastic waste in our oceans. Don’t buy souvenirs because they either come from far away or you don’t really know and trust the source of the item. Try to find sustainable souvenirs when you are in Europe or the U.S.
Use reusable shopping bags. When you buy reusable bags at the store, you are taking a small step to reduce plastic waste. Be sure to read the fine print before you buy your reusable bags because there are many brands that don’t give you enough information about the sustainability of their bags.
Stay at Sustainable Practices applying hotels (coming soon the entire hand-picked list of the mentioned Sustainable destinations and hotels).
Need some inspiration or help in preparing your next Slow and Sustainable Holiday Experience?
Me and my team will be pleasured to prepare your tailor-made Slow vacation
