The key benefits of tourism are economic, socio-cultural and environmental.
Economic benefits
Tourism can provide direct jobs to the community, such as tour guides or hotel housekeeping. Indirect employment is generated through other industries such as agriculture, food production, and retail.
Visitors’ expenditure generates income for the local community. It can lead to the alleviation of poverty in countries which are heavily reliant on tourism.
Economic diversification is important to areas where there may be a concentration of environmentally damaging industries.Such as mining or manufacturing.
Infrastructure development such as airports, roads, schools, hospitals, and retail areas have the potential to benefit the local community. And can aid economic development by allowing more trade and better flow of goods and services.
Social benefits
Tourism can bring about a real sense of pride and identity to communities. By showcasing distinct characteristics of their ways of life, history and culture, tourism can encourage the preservation of traditions which may be at risk of
Environmental benefits
Tourism provides financial support for the conservation of ecosystems and natural resource management. Making the destination more authentic and desirable to visitors. It also adds more value to the local tourism business.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Many of the negative impacts from tourism occur when the amount of visitors is greater than the environment’s ability to cope with the visitor volume.
Some of the consequences of exceeding the environmental capacity include strain on already scarce resources such as water, energy, food and natural habitat areas. In addition, unchecked tourism development may lead to soil erosion, increased pollution and waste, discharges into the sea and waterways, increased pressure on endangered species of animals and plants, and heightened vulnerability to deforestation, as well as loss of biodiversity.
The same way that tourism can encourage the preservation of socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, mass tourism may also erode traditional values by introducing foreign elements which are in conflict with the cultural, historical, and religious heritage of the community.
The tourism paradox therefore, lies in the tension between our desire to travel the world, and the need to provide the most benefits with the least harm. Many well intentioned people in the public and private sector are hard at work looking for solutions that will provide viable, long-term socio-economic benefits for tourist areas.
Building a culture of sustainability will however, take time and you, the traveler, can become part of the solution.
Where do you start?
Taking a trip involves several important stages. The Responsible Traveller Guide provides a comprehensive list of the possible green choices you can make. While planning your trip, before you leave home, while you are there, and when you return.
You can start by taking a few minutes to check if the travel supplier and destination has the following. A published environmental policy, a corporate social responsibility statement, sustainability guidelines, or green practices.
“Green” is defined in many different ways and it can often be confusing. Try and look for a commitment to being environmentally and socially conscious by the companies and destinations you are considering.
Look for concrete actions taken and their accomplishments to date such as savings in water, energy and waste. Their commitment to the community and their employees is also a good indication of their corporate social responsibility efforts.
Also, check consumer websites which have responsible travel reviews, green travel magazines, blogs, and any other sources which may provide insights into green and ethical business practices.
A little bit of research will go a long way in selecting suppliers and destinations that are aligned with your values and which meet your environmental expectations.
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