Tourism Flashcards
what are the causes of mass tourism???
The availability of low-cost airlines such as EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair has significantly reduced the cost of air travel, making it more accessible to a broader range of people.
The availability of paid leave from work allows individuals to plan and take holidays without financial strain.
Additional time off work, including bank holidays and flexible working arrangements, provides more opportunities for travel.
Travel agencies offer convenient package deals that bundle flights, accommodations, and transfers, simplifying travel planning.
The internet enables travellers to research and discover new destinations independently, reducing reliance on travel agents.
Innovations in technology such as online booking platforms and smartphone apps have simplified travel planning and made it more convenient for individuals to book flights, accommodation, and activities.
Higher disposable incomes in developed countries have led to increased spending on vacations and travel experiences.
Investments in infrastructure, such as motorways, airport expansions, and the Channel Tunnel, have improved transportation options.
Widespread car ownership provides travellers with the flexibility to explore various locations at their convenience.
Initiatives like student exchange programs and working holiday visas have encouraged young people to explore foreign countries, fostering a culture of travel and exploration.
What are positive impacts of mass tourism???
Many local people are employed in the tourism industry, which given them an income and improves their standard of living.
Young people are more likely to stay in the area due to the jobs created from tourism, combating rural depopulation, especially in rural or remote areas.
Local people also benefit from the infrastructure built for tourists, for example restaurants, improved roads and local amenities.
Local authorities ensure the area maintains a high environmental quality to keep tourists returning.
Many beaches are kept clean and have poor-quality water diverted away from them so they can gain blue flag status.
What are the negative impacts of mass tourism???
Mass tourism can have negative effects on popular tourist destinations like Ibiza, Barcelona, and Venice where huge daily visitor numbers put pressure on local services.
As well as overcrowding, popular tourist resorts often suffer from environmental degradation, such as litter, graffiti, vandalism, and noise pollution.
The environment can be destroyed to make way for more tourist infrastructure like waterparks, hotels, roads, and restaurants.
Work is often seasonal, which leads to unemployment in the low season.
Villages and towns can lose their identity as all services in the area are marketed at tourists.
Property prices rise in popular tourist areas, and local people are forced out of the area.
Water is prioritised for tourists, while locals face drought, causing tension between local people and holidaymakers.
What are the reasons for eco tourism???
Travellers are becoming more environmentally conscious and are inclined to help protect fragile environments.
They are also eager to learn about the spectacular and rare destinations the world has to offer.
More and more tourists seek to explore fragile and unspoiled areas away from mass tourism hotspots.
People want to support eco tourism projects aimed at preserving the environment and protecting animal habitats.
Tourists are drawn to the opportunity for unique and ethical wildlife encounters, such as observing endangered species in their natural habitats.
Tourists desire first hand experiences of local cultures and traditions, which are often not offered by mass tourism resorts.
Many individuals want to use their holidays to have meaningful experiences, such as participating in eco-tourism initiatives like tortoise conservation in Costa Rica.
Eco tourism often involves outdoor activities and natural surroundings, which can promote physical and mental well-being.
What is eco tourism???
Eco tourism is a type of travel and tourism that focuses on visiting natural environments while promoting conservation, sustainability, and responsible travel practices. Here are some of the reasons for the growing popularity of eco tourism.
What are the positive impacts of eco tourism???
Tourists enjoy unspoiled natural environments.
Eco-tourism provides educational opportunities for both tourists and locals, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues and conservation.
Preserving fragile environments encourages tourists to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
Funds generated from eco-tourism can contribute to the preservation of endangered species and their habitats.
Eco-tourism creates jobs for local people, especially in remote areas.
Local communities benefit economically by selling produce to eco-tourism resorts.
What are the negative impacts of eco tourism???
Profit-driven eco-tourism may exploit and underpay local workers, meaning that local employees often receive low wages or inadequate compensation for their labour.
The development of eco-tourism infrastructure, like road construction and accommodation, can disrupt natural landscapes and ecosystems.
Popular eco-tourism destinations can become overcrowded, leading to increased environmental problems.
Excessive eco-tourism can lead to the erosion of local cultures and traditions as communities adapt to cater to tourists.
What are the strategies to manage tourism???
Designating areas as National Parks helps protect fragile environments while still offering opportunities for tourists to explore and appreciate nature.
Encouraging tourists to “leave nothing but footprints” and “take nothing but photographs” promotes responsible tourism and minimises the environmental impact of visitors.
Tour guides can play a crucial role in showcasing conservation efforts and sustainable practices that preserve the culture, heritage, and environment of the area.
Implementing and enforcing responsible waste management and recycling programs in tourist areas helps reduce environmental pollution and maintains the natural beauty of the region.
Some destinations, like Venice, are taking steps to limit or ban cruise ships due to their unsustainable impact on local environments and infrastructure.
Tourists are encouraged to educate themselves about local cultures and traditions to ensure they do not inadvertently offend local people. For example, removing shoes in temples in Cambodia shows respect for local customs.
To minimise the environmental impact, some places such as the Inca Trail in Peru impose limits on the number of people who can visit popular sights, promoting smaller, more sustainable tours.
Offering eco-friendly transportation options, such as electric buses or bike rentals, encourages sustainable travel within tourist destinations.
Encouraging off-peak travel seasons and staggered entry times to popular attractions helps distribute tourist traffic more evenly, reducing overcrowding and environmental strain.
