Unit 5: FACTORS INFLUENCING
TOURISM
Tourism can never be a stand-alone industry; it is always interdependent on
other industries. Moreover, the impact of tourism is considerably significant to
the different aspects to where it is dependent on. It is therefore important to have
a knowledge of both the positive and negative impacts of tourism.
This lesson discusses the relationship of the tourism industry to the society,
culture, environment and economy.
Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to
1. Recognize the importance of the society, culture, environment and
economy.
2. Enumerate the positive and negative effects of tourism on the culture,
environment and economy.
Suggested Teaching Strategies and Pedagogical
Activities
Activity 1: Inter-active Discussion
The teacher leads a discussion on the meaning of tourism, its importance and
characteristics. Afterwhich, the students may give their feedback and queries on the
lecture.
Knowledge Content:
TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Tourism and the environment interact with each other. The environment is a
valuable resource. Environmental quality is a prime component of visitor
satisfaction. Tourism exerts a strong influence on environmental quality. (Cruz,
R.G., 1998)
The Environment as Tourism Resource
Environment refers to “the physical and biological resources of the planet, on
which human communities depend for their survival” (Agenda 21). Apart from
sustaining life, the environment is the primary tourism resource
Wilkinson (1994) defines resources as “attributes of the natural world that are no
more than neutral stuff until a combination of increased knowledge, expanding
technology and changing individual and societal objectives results in their
presence being perceived, their capacity to satisfy human wants and needs being
recognized and the means to utilize them being desired”
Positive Impact of Tourism to the Environment
With adequate planning and control measures, tourism can be lead to the
following desired impacts:
1. Conservation of important natural areas.
Is linked with the idea of sustainability, which was defined by the
Brundtland Report (named after the Norwegian PM who chaired the United
Nations-sponsored World Commission on Environment and Development)
as “meeting the needs of the present without comprising the ability of the
future generations to meet their own needs”. (Youell, 1996). The Tubbataha
Reefs, Subterranean Underground Water and Malaysia’s Kinabalu
National Park are being protected to ensure their long-term viability for the
enjoyment of tourists and the local population.
2. Conservation of archeological and historic sites and architectural
character
Important archaeological and historic sites such as Vigan
(Philippines), Kyoto (Japan), Borobudur (Indonesia), Parliament House
(SIngaporte) are also being restored and conserved for tourism purposes.
Tourism revenue helps provide the funds for conservation and the
maintenance of these heritage sites.
3. Active measures to protect and preserve endangered species
Unique and endangered species of animals are important tourism
assets. The Philippine’s monkey-eating eagle, tarsier, China’s panda,
Thailand’s white elephant, Indonesia
4. Improvement of environmental quality
Existence of tourism requires a corresponding effort to improve the
quality of the environment. Cleanliness enhances a destination’s image.
Iceland and Sweden are the top cleanest countries in the world. Tourism
is a powerful motivator for showing one’s best. The government enacts
ordinances to restain pollution and punish litterbugs Tourism also
encourages the beautification of surroundings through rehabilitation of
polluted waterways and rivers (e.g. Save the Pasig River project),
landscaping, adoption of appropriate architectural styles, sign controls
and better building maintenance.
5. Improvement of infrastructure
Tourism development is both a cause and effect of infrastructure
development. Tourism is very much behind the upgrading of Cebu, Davao,
Cagayan De Oro, Zamboanga, Legazpi, Laoag airports into international
gateways.
6. Increased environmental awareness
Travel and tourism have exposed people to the natural world. The
prospect of making big money has made investors more aware of the
economic value of the natural environment and the need to protect I to
ensure long-term viability.
Negative Impact of Tourism to the Environment
Unrestrained greed, corruption, ignorance, poverty and lack of financial
resources can exacerbate the environmental problems that accompany
uncontrolled tourism growth.
1. Pollution and emissions
Pollution leads to a number of problems-climatic change, depletion
of the ozone layer, acidification of soils and lakes, eutrophication of water
bodies; toxification of soils, water bodies and ecosystems and
accumulation of solid wastes. (Hammond, et al., 1995)
2. Resource depletion
Resource depletion occurs when resources are used faster than they
can regenerate or be replenished. When this happens, natural resources
use can not be sustained indefinitely. (Cruz, R.G, 1998)
3. Loss of biodiversity
TOURISM AND CULTURE
Apart from nature, another element that defines the destination is culture.
Culture consists of both intangible and tangible elements. Because culture
differs from one place to another, each destination is unique. Cultural
uniqueness helps create demand for destinations.
Culture as Tourism Resource
Culture is a powerful motivator for travel. Culture offers educational or learning
opportunities for both residents and tourists, making it possible for travel to
assume deeper dimension. Cultural heritage is the foundation for the robust
tourism industries of the world’s top tourist destinations.
Tourism also has the power to change cultures over time. Therefore, it is
important to understand this phenomenon and take the appropriate steps to
determine the quality of such transformations.
Positive Impact of Tourism to Culture
When planned properly, tourism can result to the following positive impacts on
the host community: (Cruz, R.G., 1998)
1. Preservation and restoration of cultural heritage
Culture is a major asset in tourism. The desire to project a good
image motivates governments to preserve important archaeological and
historic sites.
2. Revival of traditional art and crafts
Tourism has been a major factor in the continued survival of
indigenous arts and crafts: Ilocano clay jars, Cordillera woodcarvings,
Leyte mats and Yakan weaves are sustained at least partly by tourist
demand.
3. Cultivation of cultural pride and sense of identity
Travel promotes cultural awareness. Domestic tourism can foster
pride among the different ethno-lingustic groups
4. Cross-cultural exchange
Travel, as they say, is the best education. Exposure to tourists
broadens understanding of modern hygiene, other languages and material
culture. Tourism opens new avenues for social mobility and wealth
(Robinson, 1994)
Negative Impact of Tourism to Culture
Without careful planning and control, tourism development may lead to the
following adverse effects:
1. Loss of cultural character
Mass tourism has greatly contributed to the demise of native culture
in Baguio City. Banaue, which has far fewer visitors than Baguio, is also
rapidly losing its local character. (Cruz, R.G,1998)
2. Loss of authenticity and meaning of traditional arts and crafts
3. Commercialization of human relationships
Host-guest relationship assumes a commercial character. Fleeting
encounters do not allow deep and meaningful relationships to blossom.
Traditional hospitality becomes a commodity for sale. What were once
customary acts kindness are now given price tags. (Cruz, R.G,1998)
4. Potential misunderstandings and conflicts between residents and tourists
Differences in languages, religions, customs and social values may
give rise to conflict and misunderstanding between residents and visitors
(Gee, 1994). Some visitors failed to observe etiquette at religious shrines.
Some cultures are biased towards certain kinds of foods that others may
find extremely unacceptable. Local residents can imitate the behavioral
patterns of tourists simply by observing the latter. This phenomenon is
called demonstration effect.
5. Creation of new demands and expectations
TOURISM AND THE ECONOMY
According to J. Naisbitt (2000), the world’s economy of the next century will be
driven by three paradigm service industries: telecommunications, information
technology and travel & tourism.
Tourism as an Economic Activity
Australia’s 1992 National Tourism Strategy notes the following features of the
tourism industry:
1. It is a myriad of goods and services coming from various sectors of the
economy and consumed at different times and locations.
2. Tourism is a business operating 24/7 with seasonal fluctuations.
3. Tourism is a labor intensive and provides employment opportunities at all
skill levels.
4. Tourism invites investment by small and medium scale industries and big
multinational firms as well.
5. Tourism relies on little financial assistance or regulation by government in
comparison to its economic contribution.
6. Compared to other industries there are few barriers to entry.
Furthermore, tourism is a relatively clean industry with little of the pollution
associated with heavy industries. It is also capable of generating incomes from
what would be considered as useless natural resources.
Positive Impact of Tourism to the Economy
1. Employment benefits
The travel and tourism industry employed 11% of the total world
employment. Tourism is becoming the largest industry in the world that
could exceeds the automobile and information technology. The number of
international tourists is expected to double by 2020, reaching around 1.5
billion arrivals-nearly half of these visiting Europe. (Libosada,et.al, 2007)
2. Income benefits
Tourism will improve the income of the locals through the provision
of employment to the members of the community.
3. Tax revenues
The travel and tourism industry pays a variety of taxes: indirect
taxes such as sales taxes and value added taxes; income taxes on profits;
personal or employee compensation; property or real estate; and
miscellaneous taxes such as import duties, user fees (airport departure
taxes and visa fees). (Cruz, R.G., 1998)
4. Visibility
The effect of tourism industry will be visible both to the residents
and tourists in a destination.
Negative Impact of Tourism to the Economy
1. Inflation
2. Competition for Scarce Resources
3. Economic Dislocation of certain sectors of population
4. Over-dependence on tourism
5. Prostitution
6. Leakage
TOURISM AND POLITICS
Remember, Economics is all about decisions concerning scarce resources.
Politics is about how decisions concerning the public are made. In a democratic
society, economic decisions that can affect large groups of people are likely to
involve some political process.
An easy way to define politics is that ‘it is about power, who gets what, where,
how and why.” So politics is about decision making: how decisions are made,
who is involved in the process, and how decisions are implemented. The politics
of tourism is usually about how decisions concerning use of scarce resources are
made.
In a way, Economics is about the QUANTITY OF LIFE, whereas Politics
involves debates over the QUALITY OF LIFE.
The Role of Government in Tourism
National and state/provincial government can support tourism development by
performing many activities. These include:
a. Collection of tourism information
b. Regulation of tourism related businesses
c. Encouragement of development of tourist areas
d. Development of tourism policy
e. Taking part in the tourism industry through government ownership
f. Financial assistance on infrastructure
g. Offering government-backed low-interest loans to private developers who
develop superstructures.
Self-Check
I. Draw a (+) sign if the situation indicates a positive impact of tourism otherwise encircle (-)
sign before the number.
1. In Cavite, beach resort caretakers simply bury their litter in the sand, to be
swept by the wave to the already heavily polluted Manila Bay during the
typhoon season.
2. Fishermen find that they could no longer catch fish or dry their nets on the
beach after an island is brought by a developer and the beach are fenced off.
3. More land gets to be occupied by hotels, transportation terminals, tourists’
shops and malls.
4. Many local resorts use native materials on the outside but incorporate modern
amenities.
5. Wildlife is being ravaged by overhunting, careless practices and sheer overuse
of forests and mountains for recreational purposes.
6. The Philippine travel and tourism industry generated $1.2 billion of taxes in
1997
7. In Ifugao, a lack of design standards has led to the mushrooming of houses
with unpainted galvanized iron sidings and roofs and boxy hotel structures
that are progressively destroying the view of the Banaue Rice Terraces.
8. Contributions on the environmental awareness are aired on several travel-
oriented shows on television that heighten the public’s appreciation for nature.
9. During Panagebenga in Baguio City, tourist and visitors can experience the
crowd and congestion while watching the floral dance parade.
10. Smoke Mountain used to be synonymous with the Philippines.
11. Like merchandise on grocery racks, women in nightclubs and karaoke bars,
wait behind glass windows to be chosen by customers
12. Westerner’s preference for skimpy attire when they are in tropical countries
can disturb the local people’s sense of property
13. Prior to economic crisis, the travel and tourism industry employed 262 million
people worldwide
14. Tourism, being department on transportation, contributes to some degree to
air pollution
15. Differences in languages, religions, customs and social values may give rise to
conflict and misunderstanding between residents and visitors.
Answer to Self-Assessment Questions: (please proceed to appendix A)
If you got…
15 CONGRATUALTIONS! THAT WAS AN AWESOME JOB!
14-12 Very Satisfactory
11-9 Satisfactory
8 and below Please read the module again
Case Problems
1. A very vocal environment group has recently voiced harsh criticism of the state’s
tourism business. They claim that the industry rapidly consumes valuable natural
resources, provides mostly low-paying unskilled employment, and degrades the culture
of the main tourist centers. As the state’s tourism director, how would you answer these
changes?
2. Referring to case 1, the same environmental group has succeeded in convincing the
state’s attorney general that all roadside billboards be eliminated. The various state
hotel, motel, restaurant, attractions and tourist promotion organization vehemently
oppose such legislation. Can you think of some kind of compromising plan that might
satisfy both of these opposing groups?
Review Questions
Note: The review questions will serve as guide questions for recitation and
assignments.
1. How can tourism aid in the preservation of culture and natural environment?
2. How can culture be used to attract tourist?
3. In what ways can tourism benefit the economy?
4. Do you think the government plays a vital role in supporting the tourism
industry? Why?
