Modern Tourism Industry and its Impact on the Places Visited - Term Paper Example

 Modern Tourism Industry and its Impact on the Places Visited The tourism industry has faced a lot of criticism for having had a negative impact on the many destinations that tourists visit. However, if we consider the key areas that the tourism industry affects mostly, we note that the positive impacts are more than the negative impacts. The economic, environmental and cultural are the main areas that the tourism industry affects. In the economical aspects, the tourism industry mainly affects the price income and the generation of foreign exchange among others. Environmentally tourism has been seen to have a negatively influence the environment in the sense that there is an increase of pollution. However, the benefits to the environment cannot be ignored in the sense that the idea of landscaping beautifies the environment and attracts more tourists’ to the lovely environment created. The issue of draining swamps near touristic developments has proven beneficial to the local inhabitants. Lastly, we consider how tourism affects the culture of an area. Many are the times that tourism development has been shown to lead to the erosion of the cultural identity of an area. However, the main aim of a touristic travel is not to erode the culture of an area but rather many tourist travels to experience the culture of the community that they visit. With these in mind, it is, therefore, right to disagree with the argument that modern tourism is destroying the places visited, and these we shall closely examine and prove in the subsequent paragraphs as we examine the individual aspects that tourism has influenced. Tourism does affect the culture of a society both positively and negatively. Ding and Pigram observed that tourism might encourage the maintenance of culture and tradition (1995: 8). They further state that the maintenance of traditional ways and goods needed to be restored because that is what attracted tourists. The constant visits from tourists helped in boosting and maintenance of the local cultures. Tourism represents an interface of cultural exchange it does allow for the interaction between communities and visitors who travel to experience the local cultures of a given community. Tourism allows these visitors to learn about the different cultures of the world. It also allows the appreciation of the various cultural diversity of the society that they visit. Tourists also learn and appreciate the new perspectives on life and society. The tourist industry defines the local culture of any region as a unique experience: the local personality, hospitality and food form part of the unique experience. The fulfilment is achieved when one gets to learn everything concerning a touristic destination. The tourists get to learn the local issues and the needs of the society and, therefore, raise awareness of the local issues and the needs of the given society (GVIC, 2004:2). The aspects of cultural celebrations that are common to various societies attract tourists. These cultural festivals assert cultural identity; it helps in preserving local traditions and teaches the younger generations of their local tradition. Tourism is used in the preservation and transmission of the cultural and historical traditions. It allows for the protection of the local heritage revival of indigenous cultures, cultural arts and crafts (Gawler Visitor information centre, 2004:3). Rickerby claims that tourism does bring people from different places and cultures together promoting an understanding between different social groups. However, he points out that these interactions may at times result to conflicts and friction. An excellent example he gives is the case of U.K whereby conflicts between tourists and local communities is a common thing in the bars clubs and seaside resorts. These conflicts are resolved by hiring tour operators who offer the tourists with the assistance; they need (2005:23). Rickerby looks into how tourisms affect the environmental aspect; he observes the negative impacts where he states that the means of transportation airlines road ship all consume fuel. The emissions from these means of transportation have been seen to have a negative influence on the environment because it increases pollution; however, this cannot be entirely blamed on the tourist industry since transportation is a common thing to almost all sectors of the economy. This pollution, on the other hand, does affect the tourist, for example, water pollution has been found to affect touristic sites such as the coral reefs in the Maldives (2005:21). Rickerby states that tourism has led to the changing of the natural environment, in the case, of clearing lands to build touristic facilities such as hotels. These may be both seen as a negative impact and positive in that it translates to the destruction of the natural habitat. These may also affect the lands drainage system, which increases the risk of flooding. However, the artificial environment obtained from the landscaping, building of hotels, and resorts does beautify the environment and, therefore, attract tourists to the area. The draining of swamps that are around touristic site has proven to be of benefit to the local communities. Most governments have adopted the concept of ecotourism, which mainly focuses on the protection of the environment. This involves travelling to areas of natural interests in the country (Rickerby, 2005: 20). Kreag states that the protection of the selected natural environments or the prevention of further ecological decline the creation of murals water fountains and monuments does benefit the visitors and residents. The benefits are that there is the preservation of both historical buildings and monument; this can also be viewed as the improvement of the areas appearance in a bid to promote tourism (2000:8). Another positive environmental aspect that tourism promotes are the benefits earned from tourism can be reinvested in research and better conservation methods. Tourism has also enabled the fostering of an understanding among the local residents concerning environmental issues. Tourist industry has also enhanced control of harmful economic activities such as the logging and commercial fishing. Many governments have come up with solutions to environmental problems in a bid to promote tourism. These solutions include the establishment of waste reduction programs. The promotion of green tourism and ecotourism and the establishment of formal environmental management systems in various business establishments is another form of solution. The maintenance of the various national parks is also a priority of the tourism industry; this is also a means of conservation of the environment. The economic impacts of tourism have been found to be beneficial, unlike its environmental and cultural impacts. Among the benefits tourism, include the generation of foreign exchange, the creation of jobs and employment opportunities. Tourism also promotes the provision of new infrastructure, which is available for non-tourism uses. Tourism also promotes increased regional development. Tourists when they visit a place they spend their money on a wide variety of goods and services, this is considered a contribution to the financial resource of the host economy. Tourism promotes foreign trade for instance foreign exchange tourist changes their foreign currency for the local currency. The host country increases their foreign currency reserves and, therefore, utilise the currency for their needs (Harcombe, 1998:24). Rickerby creates jobs for the local population. The employees, in turn, utilise the money obtained from their wage in promoting the local economy. The contribution of tourism to a country's economy cannot be undermined. An outstanding example is Australia’s economy in the year 1997/98 where tourism is reported to have contributed in the 4.5% of Australia’s GDP and 6% of its employment. Tourism does bring a range of benefits to the host communities: improved infrastructure, access services and new investments all these serve to improve the lifestyle of the community. Rickerby, however, looks at the negative economic impact of tourism. The tourism jobs have been noted as being seasonal jobs. A clear example is in the U.K at the seaside resort where low rates of unemployment is reported during the winter season. Another problem that Rickerby observes is the economic leakage, which occurs when the earnings of tourism are invested elsewhere. This is observed in the internationally owned hotels where the profits earned during the high season are enjoyed overseas instead of benefitting the local community. The other economical problem is the migrant workers who have their permanent home elsewhere. The money they earn is sent abroad and, therefore, it does not benefit the country. Mibarbayev and shagazatova observe that tourism accounts for almost 10% of the world’s income and employs about a tenth of the world’s workforce. They further states that tourism as a source of foreign exchange does help to balance foreign trade (2000:2). Kreag observes that tourism does boost the living standards’ of the communities in the rural areas. The growth of the tourism industry does help to create for investment development and infrastructure spending. Kreag puts an emphasis on the enhancement of public utilities such as sewer, water, sidewalks, lighting, public restrooms, litter control and landscaping all in order to boost tourism (2000:7). The improvement of public utilities does benefit tourists and residents alike, Kreag points out the improvement of transport infrastructure. According to Kreag, tourism encourages new elements to join the retail mix, this increases opportunities for shopping, and it does add healthy competitiveness. These strategies do boost community’s tax revenues. The new jobs that created generate more income tax revenues. Tourism does create opportunities to develop new amenities and recreational facilities. Tourist expectation does function to boost upgraded services by local shops, restaurants and other commerce operators. We can also look at the economic impact of tourism by focussing on the heritage tourism in the state of Florida. It is approximated that Florida realizes 107,607 jobs, $ 2.314 billion in income, $4.552 billion in gross state product and $ 1.093 billion in taxes. This translates into an annual in-state wealth of about $4.042 billion. This illustration just shows how tourism is of economical importance if the government concentrates on the promotion of tourism. We conclude that tourism indeed affects the economical, environmental and cultural aspects of a society. The tourism value can be enhanced if the growth of the tourism sector is focused on the local needs interests and limits. As we have seen in the analysis, we have made tourism function in the promotion of the culture of a society. Tourists get to learn and appreciate the culture of a given society. Environmentally, although tourism promotes the changing of the natural habitat, it does also create an artificial environment that attracts and promotes tourism. Lastly, we saw the impact of tourism on the economy of a country apart from creating jobs for the population. It enhances foreign exchange, which boosts foreign trade. The major contributions to the economy as we have already seen are the increase of foreign exchange the increase of the flow of income and increase of employment although, in this case, it is temporary. References Augustyn, M. (1998). National Strategies for Rural Tourism Development and Sustainability: The Polish Experience. Journal of Sustainable Tourism , 191-209. Australian Heritage Commission. (1998). Annual report 1998/1999. Canberra. Bayer, M. (1990). The Relationship Between Tourism and the Environment. Anatolia , 38-44. Bureau of Tourism Research. (1998). Cultural Tourism in Australia: Characteristics and Motivation. Canberra: Ministry of Tourism. Deprtment of Tourism Florida. Profile of and Direct Economic Impacts From Florida Heritage Tourism. Florida: state of Florida. Gawler Visitor Information Centre. (2004). Tourism Fact Sheet. Gawler: Austarlian Government. Harcombee, D. (1998). The Economic Iimpacts of Tourism. Retrieved January 06, 2012, from Mailto:bbadhc: mailto:bbadhc@au.ac.th Hawkins, D. (1982). Sociall and Economic Impact of Tourism on Asian Pacific Region. Tokyo: Asian Productivity Organization. Industry, Science and Tourism. (1998). Cultural tourism, Tourism Facts. Canberra: Department of Tourism. Korca, P. (1998). Resident Perception of Tourism in Resort Town. Leisure town , 193-212. Kreag, G. (2000). The Impacts of Tourism. Minnesota: Sea Grant. Mirbabayev, B. (2000). The Economic and Social Impact of Tourism. Pigram, D. a. (1995). Environmental Audits: An Emerging Concept in the Tourism Development. Journal of Tourism Studies , 2-10. Rickerby, P. (2005). Travel and Tourism. Dedington: Oxfordshire. Wilson, D. (1997). Paradoxes of Tourism in Goa. Annals of Tourism Research , 52-75. Read More