2C.4 Sustainable Tourism Flashcards
Describe how increased LEISURE TIME has increased tourism.
- Since the 1960s, people have begun to get longer holidays.
- EG. a typical UK adult now works 8 hours less per week that they did in 1960. This is equivalent to 7-9 weeks’ holiday per year. Foreign holiday trips by Britons has increased from 6 million in 1971 to 70 million in 2015.
- With more holiday entitlement and Bank Holiday time available as well, people can travel more so tourism increases.
Describe how increased DISPOSABLE INCOME has increased tourism.
- In 2015 UK workers earned nearly 5 times as much as they did in the 1980s.
- They have more disposable income (the money left from their salary after the purchasing of necessities such as food, clothes, fuel, etc)
- People therefore have a larger proportion of their salary available for their short breaks, domestic holidays and overseas travel.
Describe how CHEAPER TRAVEL has increased tourism.
- Air travel has become more affordable since the 1960s when there was a surge in demand for package holidays to European destinations such as Southern Spain.
- In the 1990s low cost airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair made flights even more affordable for the traveller, giving people access to more airports and destinations.
- The opportunity to book holidays directly on the internet has made cheaper holidays accessible to people.
- EG. In 1990 a return flight from Belfast to Spain may have cost £300, but in 2015 is available for under £100, making tourism more appealing to people.
Describe how increased WEALTH & HEALTH OF PENSIONERS has increased tourism.
- Life expectancy in the UK in 1960 was 70 years but in 2015 had risen to over 80. Living longer, coupled with better health services means that pensioners can travel much more, especially if they have accumulated large savings over their working lives.
- EG. There are an estimated 300,000 British pensioners who live in Spain for at least part of the year.
State one POSITIVE ECONOMIC impact of tourism.
The tourism industry provides local jobs for people in hotels, airport services and as tour guides. EG. In spain 1 in 6 people work in a tourist related job which provides them with a decent standard of living. Without tourism, Spain’s GDP would be 20% lower.
State one NEGATIVE ECONOMIC impact of tourism.
Much of the money earned through tourism does not necessarily stay in the place it was spent. EG. a visitor to Belfast might travel with a French tour company, stay in an American chain hotel, and eat in English owned restaurants. Therefore very little of the money would stay in NI to stimulate economic growth.
State one POSITIVE CULTURAL impact of tourism.
Tourism can generate pride amongst local people in their history, culture, buildings and environment. EG. The Swiss are proud of the natural beauty of the Alps and welcome tourists openly to experience their wonder.
State one NEGATIVE CULTURAL impact of tourism.
Some people are encouraged to dress in their traditional costumes and perform rituals for tourists. EG. The Maasai people in Kenya dress up to entertain visitors but this devalues their local custom and turns them into photographic objects.
State one POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL impact of tourism.
Tourism can improve the quality of local environments. Money earned can be invested in improving roads, better houses, improved water and sewage services. EG. In Jamaica the demand for high quality hotels has forced the government to improve the local areas around tourist areas which local people benefit from too.
State one NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL impact of tourism.
Mass tourism can increase pressure on local ecosystems. Large number of tourists on beaches and lit-up seafronts have endangered marine turtles in the Caribbean which rely on dark secluded beaches to lay their eggs. Turtle numbers on St. Lucia have declined for this reason.
Define ecotourism / green tourism.
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the wellbeing of local people.
List 5 possible characteristics of ecotourism.
- Employs local people
- Community-led programme
- Involves small number of tourists
- Involves eating local food
- Minimises damage to the environment
List 5 possible characteristics of commercial tourism.
- Benefits large tour companies
- Intrusive to local people
- Disturbs the wildlife of an area
- Causes waste and pollution
- Provides all services and facilities tourists may want
