Challenges of Tourism in Orlando - Essay Example

Challenges of Tourism in Orlando al Affiliation Challenges of Tourism in Orlando Introduction Orlando is a Southern town that has experienced tremendous growth over the years from an obscure agricultural town to a tourism giant. Orlando is currently a top international vacation destination, and it welcomes a humongous number of tourists each year. The transformation from an agricultural town into a global tourism capital has been punctuated with a fair share of problems to the local community. All the Orlando glitter is not gold because beneath lie deep-rooted social issues. Tourism has positively impacted the city’s growth. However, the booming tourism industry has also brought some negative effects to this city such as high levels of teen drug use. Major companies such as the Disney Corporation should be held responsible for problems that tourism has created for Orlando residents and help to create solutions to address these problems. Background Information The growth of Orlando from a small town to a large internationally-recognized tourist city has been shaped by several factors. The hostilities between Settlers and Seminole Indians resulted in Florida’s statehood. In the 1860s, cattle ranching was the widely practiced activity in Central Florida. However, the practice was characterized by chaos resulting in the violent cattle wars of the 1860s (Frommers, 2015). Earlier, infrastructure was absent, and its development began in the 1870s. As the years progressed, cattle ranching was abandoned, and residents picked up citrus farming, industrialization, and real estate development. Fires and fruit-fly infestation rolled back the gains, but infrastructure expansion and the population growth continued during the Second World War (Frommers, 2015). Postwar prosperity of Orlando was contributed by the strong financial and transportation infrastructure developed during the Second World War. Also, the advent of the air-conditioner attracted more people to the city. The bustling tourism industry discharged millions of dollars into the local economy and the massive industrialization in the 1950s contributed to rapid growth. Elsewhere, the prosperity has been characterized by the absence of civil behavior. The cattle wars of 1860’s saw the seeds for gunfights, bar brawls, and murders. The problem of cattle rustling is an activity that petered down, but has persisted up to now (Frommers, 2015). Orlando’s Tourism Industry Orlando’s tourism industry is characterized by theme parks populated with hotel chains and numerous restaurants. Enthralling water parks, fine dining and entertainment spots, and magnificent shopping centers are also part of the tourism circuit. Clubs that stage shows, theme parks, rock concerts, and music videos are a source of entertainment for tourists. Sports and zoological entertainment are also part of Orlando’s tourism menu. Tourism is continuously on the growth curve with investors planning to pour additional resources in the next-generation technology and experiences. Description of the Problem The bustling tourism in Orlando has a dark side; it has led to an increase in drug use among teenagers. Drugs such as Ecstasy and GHB are in high demand in Orlando’s theme parks. The availability of club drugs in Orlando makes it easy for teenagers to access them. Orlando is used as an entry port of narcotics, and their increased supply makes it easy to distribute to house parties and rave clubs frequented by teenagers (Canedy, 2001). Moreover, disgruntled teenagers are used as drug traffickers on the streets of Orlando, and this initiates them into drug use. Analysis of Responsibility Drug use among teenagers in Orlando should be blamed on tourism. Theme parks that are laden with entertainment encourage drug use. The clamor for drugs encourages trafficking since tourists provide a ready market. Teenagers and estranged young people are used in drug peddling, and in the process, they are introduced to drug use. Also, the glamorization of drug use, frustration of teenagers, and cultural interactions are other significant factors that introduce teenagers to drug use. Presentation of Solutions Major tourism companies and local government have a responsibility to move fast and stem teen drug use in Orlando. Major tourist companies should discourage drug use in their premises by making sure they are marked as drug-free zones. Discouraging drug use helps in building a drug-free culture that cut-back the rate of drug use ultimately reducing distribution and trickle-down to teenagers. Secondly, major tourist companies in collaboration with the local government should contribute resources towards the building of rehabilitation centers for teenage drug users. A part of the contributed resources should be channeled towards fighting drug trafficking menace and nabbing drug peddlers. Counter Argument/Refutation Major tourist companies should not be charged with the responsibility of controlling drug use among teenagers in Orlando. The companies set up premises purely for business purposes and should not be blamed for the social problems that bedevil the community. Drug abuse among teenagers should be blamed for the breakdown in social values and poor parenting. Further, families and communities have a role to play in nurturing teenagers to be responsible people who don’t easily fall prey to drug use. Controlling drug use among teenagers begins in homes and schools and extends to the wider community. Conclusion Orlando has reaped immensely from the vibrant tourism industry in the city. However, the growth and expansion of tourism in Orlando has resulted in extensive use of drugs among teenagers. Major companies fueling tourism in Orlando can take the responsibility of stemming drug use among teenagers by discouraging drug use in their premises, contributing enough resources to be used in tackling the drug trafficking menace, and building counseling and rehabilitation centers for teenage drug users. References CANEDY, D. (2015). Orlando Glitter Hides Dark Side of Young Drug Users. Nytimes.com. Retrieved 7 November 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/24/us/orlando-glitter-hides-dark-side-of-young-drug-users.html Frommers.com, (2015). History in Orlando | Frommers. Retrieved 7 November 2015, from http://www.frommers.com/destinations/orlando/681710 Read More