Tourism GW 3 - done Flashcards
With the help of examples, describe and explain the positive economic impacts of tourism.
employment opportunities, growth in income, development of infrastructure
Employment opportunities
D: Employment is work done for a wage or salary, and jobs in the tourism industry is part of the service sector of an economy.
- the tourism industry provides many different types of jobs, such as work in hotels, transportation and and travel agencies
EX:
- In 2011, the UNWTO estimated that the tourism industry employs over 235 million people worldwide.
- This is roughly 6-8% of all jobs in the world.
A: More people have jobs and less people are unhappy or worried about not being able to get a job. Economy can get stimulated because of a larger flow of money around the world.
Growth in income
D: Growth in tourism can lead to growth in income for a country and for individuals. As more tourists visit a country, there might be a higher demand for local touring services conducted by locals who know the area better.
EX:
- Fishermen on the Pamicalan Island in the Philippines take tourists out on their boats to look for and swim with whale sharks and dolphins
- Fishermen are paid US$80 - US$100 per boat for their services, which is a significant amount for a Filipino fisherman
A: The fishermen can gain a significant additional source of income other than fishing fish and selling them. They can earn more money which contributes to the economy of the Philippines.
Development of infrastructure
D: Infrastructure development is the construction of transportation and communication networks, electrical frameworks and systems for waste and water disposal.
- without enough development of infrastructure, tourism cannot operate worldwide on a large scale
EX:
- With the addition of Terminal 4 at Changi Airport, the total annual passenger handling capacity of the airport increased to 85 million passengers
- Construction of the Thomson-East Coast Line and Downtown Line in Singapore has eased passenger congestion and improved access to the rest of the island
A: This increased capacity and travel convenience allows tourists to better access local attractions and spend more money, while also allowing local to access more facilities that were not easily accessible to them before. They can buy and access more food and health services.
With the help of examples, describe and explain the negative economic impacts of tourism.
seasonal unemployment, under-use of facilities at certain times of the year, shortage of services
Seasonal unemployment
D: The tourism industry in some countries experience seasonal unemployment, as the tourist activities at the place depend on the weather, such as winter sports or summer and beach-related activities.
EX:
- Sapporo, Hokkaido, has many visitors from December to February who visit its many resorts to ski and snowboard.
- Mountain ski resorts have to hire more people during these seasons to cater to the higher demand for services
A: During other times of the year like during summer, these places have few tourists, and the extra people hired during the peak have to find other sources of income. Their income is decreased as they are only hired seasonally, and have unstable sources of income.
Under-use of facilities at certain times of the year
D: Since some types of tourism are seasonal, facilities which were built to accomodate the peak of tourist capacities are left underused for the rest of the year. Tourists usually pay for maintenance of infrastructures, but since there is a large decrease in number of tourists, the facilities becoeme neglected.
EX:
- After the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, part of the Beijing National Aquatics Centre had to be renovated into a water park in 2010 to help increase profits to pay for the maintenance of the aquatics centre
A: Facilities deteriorate in quality, and are unable to serve their purpose again if there is a sudden demand for their services in the future. Owners of the services may also close off the facilities as they become unprofitable.
Shortage of services
D: Tourist infrastructure might use a lot of land, water and electricity, which can get diverted away from local areas who cannot afford to pay as much as the tourist.
EX:
- Large amounts of electricity is required to power tourist infrastructures, which gets diverted from locals
- Drinking water for nearby residents can be diverted to water golf courses and fill swimming pools
A: Locals have no access to basic necessities such as water and electricity, and suffer as a result of tourism nearby.
With the use of examples, describe and explain the positive socio-cultural impacts of tourism.
preservation of local customs and heritage
D: Preservation of customs and heritage is the protection of the way people live, including their traditional activities annd religious practices. Unique aspects of a culture may be interesting to visiting tourists, who may want to partake and bring back related souvenirs.
EX:
- Many tourists that come to Japan like to buy their own yukata sets and participate in the summer festivals, or buy kimono sets to wear and participate in the New Year festivities.
A: Places with preserved customs and heritage become more popular, increasing the tourist flow to the area. Locals also gain increased pride and identity in their customs, increasing sense of belonging. Tourists may also bring some of the customs back to their country and spread awareness, leading to the customs not being forgotten.
With the use of examples, describe and explain the negative socio-cultural impacts of tourism.
dilution of local customs and heritage, increased crime
Dilution of local customs and heritage
D: The identity and culture of a place may be lost when tourism becomes the major activity of the area. Commercial services and goods become more common, and displaces locals and their activities. The original atmosphere and function of a place may be lost over time.
EX:
- In Thailand, tourists have to pay a hefty fee to enter the village of the Kayan Lahwi women
- Some tourists treat the women as exhibits they have paid for and aggressively take photographs of the women without permission
A: The local heritage and custom may shift to being commercial over time and lose their original meaning and authenticity, leading to loss of cultural identity.
Increased crime
D: High crime levels may occur at popular tourist sites, due to the amount of people carrying many valuable items like watches, bags and cameras. Muggings may occur more often at these places. Scams can also occur to unknowing tourists.
EX:
- The Louvre in Paris was closed in 2013 briefly as staff walked out in protest at the increasing problem of pickpockets in the museum.
A: Places with increased crime rates have less tourists visiting them out of fear of losing their money and possessions. Tourists avoid these places and tell others to do so as well, leading to a loss in income for people whose shops and businesses are located in these areas.
With the use of examples, describe and explain the positive environmental impacts of tourism.
conservation of natural environments
D: Tourism can contribute to funds which help to conserve natural environments, such as savannahs, coral reefs and mountains. Revenue from entrance fees and tours conducted can go to maintenance of the national parks.
EX:
- In Kenya, funding from international tourists go to funding the nature reserves and national parks.
- According to estimates by Kenyan authorities, a signle lion can generate up to US$7000 a year, and a herd of elephants can generate up to US$600,000 a year
A: The money received from tourists help fund the maintenance of these places and ensure wild animals have a safe habitat to live in without being killed by hunters. This preserves the natural biodiversity of the region.
With the use of examples, describe and explain the negative environmental impacts of tourism.
vandalism, littering and pollution, destruction of habitats
Vandalism
D: The crime of deliberately damaging property belonging to other people. Cultural, historical or natural sites may be vandalised by individuals or developers.
EX:
- Thousands of stones and bricks on the Great China Wall are covered with graffiti, when people carve names or scratch drawings on the bricks
A: This can lead to loss of respect for the cultures and heritage, making the place lose its cultural idendity.
Littering and pollution
D: Excessive litter from tourists can lead to pollution problems when local authorities are not able to sufficiently manage the waste left behind. Tourists on ships may throw plastic bottles and trash overboard for their own convenience, polluting the ocean and ship harbours.
EX:
- Many islands in the Caribbean have limited space on land to treat waste from ships. As a result, solid and liquid waste are dumped into the Caribbean Sea by ships, causing pollution.
A: This can lead to damage of facilities in those areas, and reduce their efficiency. Marine animals living at regions of high pollution may mistake trash bags for food and eat them, dying soon afterwards, leading to loss of biodiversity.
Destruction of habitats
D: Popular tourist sites such as beaches or villages can be overwhelmed with visitors during busy times of the year. Tourists may destroy the local habitats and wildlife with their actions, or contribute to noise pollution and scare animals living nearby.
EX:
- Egypt’s Red Sea coast has become a major diving and snorkelling destination for about 1.2 million visitors annually
- Many coral reefs have been damaged by swimemrs collecting corals as souvenirs to bring home.
A: Habitats of animals living in these areas are destroyed, leading to inability to reproduce and increase their numbers. This can lead to the extinction of a species. Also coral values etc.
With the use of examples, describe and explain the negative environmental impacts of tourism.
increased carbon footprint, increased congestion
Increased carbon footprint
D: Carbon footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by activities involving the use of fossil fuels. Activities can include travel by planes or buses or electricity consumed by hotels.
EX:
- A one-way economy flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is 30kg of CO2 produced per passenger.
A: More tourists travelling overseas means a greater carbon footprint. More greenhouse gases will be emitted, which can lead to an increased rate of global warming.
Increased congestion
D: Large numbers of tourists can lead to overcowding in areas close to popular tourist attractions. Due to the large crowds, shops and accomodations can cluster there as well, leading to even more congestion. Vehicles will have a hard time passing by, and so will people.
EX:
- Large numbers of tourists come to the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, due to the impressive sculptures present.
A: Vehicles will have to spend a longer period of time in traffic to get through congested areas, leading to increased carbon emissions as their engines are on for longer. People may also struggle to get to facilities and be unable to access services like healthcare as they cannot get by the place quick enough.
With the use of examples, describe and explain how conservation of fragile environments and promoting sustainable tourism manages the impacts of tourism.
D: Conservation is the careful management and use of resources so that the resources will not be depleted. Fragile environments which are easily affected by change should be conserved, such as mangrove forests and coral reefs. Conservation of fragile environments can be done in conjunction with sustainable tourism.
EX:
- The Australian government has many plans in place to help conserve and protect the Great Barrier Reef from further harm.
- Includes the Long-Term Sustainability Plan and the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan
- Tourists also do not support companies which engage in sustainable practices which harms the environments
A: This gives the fragile environments time to adapt and recover, while at the same time improving the conditions they are living in, so that they can thrive, leading to higher biodiversity (preservation of habitats).
With the use of examples, describe and explain how local communities can manage the impacts of tourism.
D: Local communities are groups of people living in the same territory. Community-based tourism is one where tourism has contact with and benefits local communities, done in partnership with an organisation or authorities.
EX:
- Candirejo Village in Central Java, Indonesia has worked with support from the government since 2003 to implement community-based tourism programmes
- By 2004, the village had 22 homestays, 22 andongs and 6 local restaurants
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- Locals are involved in decision-making which affects their community and themselves
- Locals have more jobs and businesses which allows them to earn more money
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- Locals may have a shortage of skilled labour like managers or consultants to manage the impacts of tourism, and may need the help of NGOs or authorities.
With the use of examples, describe and explain how visitors can manage the impacts of tourism.
D: Visitors have the responsibility to respect the environment and the population of the place they were visiting, by visiting without causing damage or offence. They can consider using services of providers who engage in sustainable practices.
EX:
- In the Tourism Sustainability Group report in 2007, it encouraged visitors to choose their holiday destinations based on the conservation efforts of the place, so that tourists’ carbon footprint can be reduced.
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- Visitors are able to fund conservation efforts of the places they visit through paying entrance fees and buying souvenirs
- Visitors can provide a source of income for locals and allow the local economy to grow
- Visitors can raise awareness to conserve and preserve attractions and cultures by sharing their experience
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- Visitors may damage local attractions by ignoring rules for their own convenience through littering and pollution
- Too many visitors may dilute local customs and cultures
With the use of examples, describe and explain how tour operators can manage the impacts of tourism.
D: Tour operators may belong to groups that are increasingly concerned with conserving and protecting environments visited by tourists. This is since tourists are less likely to visit a place if the landscape, unique cultures and biodiversity deteriorates.
EX:
- Phuket Alternative Tours (PAT) is a group set up by a team of tour operators in Phuket in 2006
- Tour operators who want to operate under PAT have to sign an Environmental and Cultural Code of Practice (ECCP) which commits members to operate sustainably.
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- Tour operators can regulate tourist behaviour by preventing tourists from littering, making too much noise or wandering into restricted areas
- Tourists spend a lot of time on their trip with tour guides and tour operators
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- Tour operators are still businesses and need to generate profits, and may not care for sustainable practices if they can save costs otherwise
With the use of examples, describe and explain how planning authorities can manage the impacts of tourism.
D: Planning authorities can influence the future quality of environments by determining the visitor flow to a place and allocating infrastructures and services to an area, like roads and acconmodations.
EX:
- Singapore Tourism Board (STB) ensures that while attracting large numbers of tourists to Singapore, local heritage is still conserved
- Cultural features of Little India and Chinatown are enhanced and protected
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- Govt. is able to develop infrastructures such as waste disposal systems to help manage impacts of tourism
- Govt. can also work with other govt. to manage impacts
- Govt. has access to a lot of manpower and resources to carry out laws and plans
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- Govt. can be corrupt and create ineffective laws or ignore issues
- Can be difficult to plan for unforseen factors such as a sudden global pandemic
With the use of examples, describe and explain how non-governmental organisations can manage the impacts of tourism.
D: NGOs are non-profit organisations that operate independently of governments. Many NGOs are concerned with tourism’s impacts on natural and human environments.
EX:
- Since 1990, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) has developed guidelines, conducted training courses, and published research papers related to tourism and the environment in 124 different countries
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- Allows for the communication between various stakeholders as they are not associated with the government or with any other groups
- Supports management efforts of various groups by providing funds and resources like marketing and manpower
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- Stakeholders may refuse to cooperate for their own interests
- NGOs may have difficulty obtaining funding as they rely on donations
