3.4 Tourism

Question 1

Why has the tourism industry grown?

Answer 1

The main attractions of the physical and human landscape have also grown.
Human attractions: entertainment opportunities, places of historical importance, cultural diversity, events and festivals, and theme parks.
Physical attractions: natural scenery, new experiences, physical activities, and seeing different animals.

• holidays are now more affordable due to better transport and package holidays made to fit budgets.
• advertisement and television make people more inspired and more interested.
• there is faster and cheaper transport now.
• the seas are warmer because of climate change.
• the weather is easier to predict.
• people have more time off work.
• there are more holiday resorts.
• people have more money to spend on holidays.

Question 2

What are the benefits of tourism to the receiving areas?

Answer 2

• governments can use the money earned from the industry to invest in education and healthcare.
• transport investments can benefit the locals.
• exposes people to different cultures and languages.
• allows joint international events, bringing awareness
• creates jobs for locals, creating the multiplier effect.
• increases the income of other businesses, allowing more people to be employed.
• brings in foreign currency.
• brings in lots of tax revenue, which can help the infrastructure.
• can support many informal sector jobs.
• income can be used to protect the environment.
• protects the environment for future generations.
• provides awareness to tourists.

Question 3

What are the negatives of tourism to the receiving areas?

Answer 3

• tourist companies can buy large areas of farmland and wildlife to build resorts on.
• large companies exploiting the locals.
• drink and drugs are more available to satisfy tourists, offending locals.
• housing prices can increase, may cause resentment and homelessness.
• people may be forced to move due to tourist developments.
• young people may drop out of school to work in the informal sector.
• increase of prostitution.
• economic leakage means money doesn’t benefit the locals.
• tourist jobs are badly paid and seasonal.
• foreigners are promoted as managers, not giving locals at chance.
• put lots of pressure on local resources.
• tourist destinations can become overly reliant on the tourist industry.
• raised taxes and prices for goods may disadvantage locals.
• borrowed money for infrastructure increases national debt.
• transporting lots of people creates greenhouse gases.
• tourism can increase litter, contaminating water, ruining wildlife.
• destruction of natural habitats, reducing biodiversity, taking years to regenerate.
• land is cleared for buildings, ruining habitats.
• construction creates destruction in physical landscapes.

Question 4

How can tourism be managed in receiving areas?

Answer 4

• protecting an area by giving it a National Park status.
• restricting the number of visitors to an area.
• education of local people and tourist about sustainability.
• ensuring that buildings are made of eco-friendly materials.
• employ people to clean up any rubbish.
• ecotourism keeps the impact of tourism a minimum.