UNIT IV
Tourism can have both positive and negative social impacts on
local communities.
Positive impacts
•Preserves local culture
Tourism can help preserve local culture by reviving interest in
traditional languages, crafts, and rituals.
•Strengthens communities
Tourism can create jobs and economic opportunities, which can
strengthen communities.
•Provides new infrastructure
Tourism can provide new infrastructure and services.
•Fosters pride in heritage
Travelers can gain an appreciation for local culture, which can help
local communities feel pride in their heritage.
Negative impacts
Negative impacts
•Culture clashes
Tourists and locals may have different values and behaviors, which can lead to
culture clashes.
•Loss of authenticity
Tourism can lead to cultural dilution from globalization.
•Social tension
Culture clashes can create social tension for the destination country and city.
•Habitat disruption
Expansion of infrastructure and facilities may lead to habitat loss for wildlife and
plant species.
Tourism can impact culture in both positive and negative ways.
Positive impacts
•Cultural exchange: Tourists can learn about local traditions and customs, and
locals can learn about visitors' cultures.
•Local arts and crafts: Tourism can support the production and sale of local arts
and crafts, which can help preserve traditional skills.
•Cultural identity: Tourism can help reinforce a region's cultural identity.
Negative impacts
•Cultural erosion
Tourism can cause customs, traditions, and values to fade away.
•Culture clashes
When tourists don't learn about the local culture, it can lead to tensions.
•Loss of cultural identity
Mass tourism can lead to a loss of cultural identity. For example, it can be easier to
serve international food and drink than local food.
•Exploitation of local culture
Some events, like dance or music, may exploit local culture for the benefit of
tourists.
• Environmental Benefits of Tourism
• Creation of natural parks and Areas
of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Reduced numbers of animal
poaching
• Improved water quality
• Increased funding for nature
conservation and protection
Tourism can negatively impact the environment in many ways,
including air pollution, water pollution, waste, and climate change.
Air pollution
•Tourism contributes to air pollution and global warming through
greenhouse gas emissions.
•Air travel is a major contributor to air pollution.
Water pollution Tourism can lead to sewage releases.
Waste
•Tourism can lead to solid waste and littering.
•Tourism can also lead to waste management issues.
Climate change
•Tourism contributes to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas
emissions.
•Climate change is a major threat to the places that tourists visit.
Ecosystems
•Tourism can impact ecosystems, which are often the main tourist
attraction.
•Tourism can also lead to agrarian crises, such as food scarcity.
Other impacts
•Tourism can also lead to noise pollution, architectural pollution, and
visual pollution.
Sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism can be achieved by engaging with local
communities and safeguarding how local cultures are used for
tourism.
Positive Economic Impacts
• Businesses and public organizations are increasingly interested in the economic
impacts of tourism at national, state, and local levels. One regularly hears claims
that tourism supports a certain number of jobs in an area, or that a festival or
special event generated a specific amount of sales or income in a community.
• Multiplier effects are often cited to capture the secondary effects of tourism
spending, and to show the wide range of sectors in a community which may
benefit from tourism. Tourism’s economic benefits are touted by the industry
for a variety of reasons.
• For one, claims of tourism’s economic significance lend the industry an air of
increased respectability in the eyes of the business community, public officials,
and the general public: this often translates into decisions or public policies
favorable to tourism. Also, community support is important for tourism; the
industry affects and is affected by the entire community.
The major economic benefits
• 1. Generating Income Tourism in India has emerged as an instrument of
income and employment generation, poverty alleviation and sustainable
human development. Tourism in India is the largest service industry; with a
contribution of 5.9% to the national GDP in 2011and this creates 8.78% of
the total employment in India.
• In 1997, India received 2.37 million foreign tourists but as we reached to
2011, there is a phenomenal growth in foreign tourist arrivals to India i.e.
6.29 million. Tourism activities are also an important source of taxation
revenue. Tourists generate taxation revenue through the purchase of
tourism offerings which are subject to sales tax, service charge, VAT etc
• 2. Creating Employment
• The tourism industry has tremendous capacity to generate both direct,
indirect and induced employment. It is a highly labour intensive industry and
many jobs involve low-skilled work, it is beneficial to the vulnerable and
unemployed sectors of the local community as formal education and prior
work experience are not mandatory.
• Jobs created through tourism are spread across many sectors of the economy
such as hospitability sector, transport sector, retail sector, manufacturing
sector, travel and tour operations etc.
3. Source of Foreign Exchange
Earnings
• Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange earnings in India. This
has favourable impact on the balance of payment of the country. In 2011,
there were over 983 million international tourist arrivals worldwide,
representing a growth of 4.6% when compared to 940 million in 2010.
International tourism receipts (the travel item of the balance of payments)
grew to US$1.03 trillion (€740 billion) in 2011, corresponding to an
increase in real terms of 3.8% from 2010.
• Our foreign exchange earnings from tourism in 1997 was only USD 2889
million and by 2011 we have a foreign exchange earning of USD 16564
million tourism business and that is expected to increase to US$375.5
billion by 2018 at a 9.4% annual growth rate.
4. Developing Infrastructure
• Tourism tends to encourage the development of multiple-use
infrastructure that benefits the host community, including various
means of transports, health care facilities, and sports centers, in
addition to the hotels and high-end restaurants that cater to foreign
visitors. The development of infrastructure has in turn induced the
development of other directly productive activities
• 5. Multiplier Effect The effect of the flow of money to various sections of
society from one section is termed as Multiplier Effect Money earned from
tourism activity is a major contributor to the national income of a country.
Without considering the receipts from domestic tourism, international tourism
receipts alone contribute vat amounts. The revenue generated in the tourism
industry keeps on multiplying as it passes through different sectors of the
economy.
• 6. Contributions to Government Revenues The Indian government through
the tourism department also collects money in more far-reaching and indirect
ways that are not linked to specific parks or conservation areas. User fees,
income taxes, taxes on sales or rental of recreation equipment, and license
fees for activities such as rafting and fishing can provide Governments with the
funds needed to manage natural resources. Such funds can be used for overall
conservation programs and activities, such as park ranger salaries and park
maintenance
World Tourism Organization
• The World Tourism Organization and the United Nations
Environment Program suggested twelve main goals for
sustainable tourism in 2005. These will help to
demonstrate the ways in which sustainable tourism can
provide a solution to some of the global challenges
facing the industry today:
• . 1. Economic Viability: To make sure that tourism destinations and
businesses are viable, competitive, and able to achieve long-term
success.
• 2. Local Prosperity: To ensure that tourism activities help local
communities thrive economically and retain a large amount of the
economic contribution.
• 3. Employment Quality: To increase the number of local jobs
created in the tourism industry and ensure that the pay and working
conditions are fair, safe and offered to workers without
discrimination.
• 4. Social Equity: To ensure that tourism increases the amount of
economic and social benefits being distributed across local
communities, improving all areas of life.
• 5. Visitor Fulfillment: To create a safe and fulfilling holiday
experience for tourists without discrimination based on race,
gender, sexuality, disability or other.
• 6. Local Control: To empower local communities to have a
role in planning and decision-making regarding tourism in
their neighbourhoods.
• 7. Community Wellbeing: To improve the quality of life and
wellbeing of local communities, ensuring they have access to
resources and are not disrespected or exploited in the name of
tourism.
• 8. Cultural Richness: To respect the cultural heritage,
traditions, authenticity and uniqueness of host communities.
• 9. Physical Integrity: To look after all landscapes, whether
urban or rural, and ensure that they are not degraded
physically or visually as a result of tourism.
• 10. Biological Diversity: To conserve natural areas, wildlife,
and unique habitats, protecting them and ensuring they are not
damaged.
• 11. Resource Efficiency: To use sustainable and renewable
resources when possible in the development and operation of
tourism facilities and services.
• 12. Environmental Purity: To protect the land, air and water
from pollution, littering and other waste that may come as a
result of tourism businesses or visitors.
• Tourism can have negative impacts on destinations and attractions,
including over-tourism, environmental degradation, and cultural
erosion. Here are some solutions to mitigate these issues:
• 1. Implement Sustainable Tourism Practices:
• - Encourage sustainable practices such as waste reduction, water
conservation, and energy efficiency in accommodations and
infrastructure.
• - Promote eco-friendly transportation options like electric vehicles or
bicycles.
• 2. Limit Visitor Numbers:
• - Implement visitor quotas or time-slot reservations to prevent over-
tourism at popular attractions.
• - Promote off-peak travel to distribute tourist arrivals more evenly
throughout the year.
• 3. Educate Tourists:
• - Raise awareness among tourists about the destination's culture,
environment, and local customs.
• 4. Invest in Infrastructure:
• - Develop and maintain well-planned infrastructure to handle visitor traffic
efficiently, reducing its impact on the environment.
• - Invest in waste disposal and recycling facilities.
• 5. Promote Community Involvement:
• - Engage local communities in decision-making processes and ensure they benefit
from tourism through employment and business opportunities.
• - Encourage community-based tourism initiatives that empower local residents.
• 6. Heritage Conservation:
• - Implement measures to protect historical and cultural sites from damage due to
tourist activities.
• - Enforce strict regulations on construction near heritage sites.
• 7. Promote Alternative Attractions:
• - Diversify tourism offerings to encourage visitors to explore less-visited areas or
engage in activities that are less impactful on the environment and culture.
• 8. Regulate Tour Operators:
• - Enforce ethical and responsible conduct among tour operators, ensuring they
follow sustainable practices and responsible tourism guidelines.
• 9. Economic Redistribution:
• - Ensure that tourism revenue benefits the local economy by imposing taxes and
fees that are reinvested into the community and environmental conservation.
• 10. Monitor and Assess:
• - Regularly assess the impact of tourism on the destination through data
collection and environmental impact studies.
• - Use this information to make informed decisions and adjustments to
policies.
• 11. Collaboration and Legislation:
• - Collaborate with government bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to
create and enforce laws and regulations that protect the destination's
integrity.
• By implementing these solutions, destinations and attractions can harness
the benefits of tourism while minimizing the negative impacts, fostering
sustainable and responsible travel.
To mitigate the adverse effects
of tourism
• To mitigate the bad affects of tourism and promote sustainability,
right here are several solutions-
• Visitor Limits and Regulation: Implement tourist quotas to
prevent overcrowding in touchy areas and attractions. Manage and
enforce rules to preserve a sustainable quantity of travelers.
• Infrastructure and Facilities Development: Invest in
infrastructure and centers to guide tourism without degrading the
surroundings. Develop eco-friendly resorts, waste management
structures, and sustainable transportation alternatives.
• Education and Awareness: Educate tourists approximately
accountable and sustainable tour practices. Encourage them to
appreciate local cultures, shield herbal resources, and limit their
environmental footprint.
• Community Involvement: Involve neighborhood groups in tourism
planning and development. Engage them in decision-making strategies
and ensure they benefit economically from tourism.
• Cultural Preservation: Implement measures to protect and keep
neighborhood cultures and heritage. Encourage visitors to appreciate
traditions and historical websites.
• Ecotourism Initiatives: Promote ecotourism by highlighting the
natural beauty and biodiversity of the destination. Develop excursions
and activities that educate traffic approximately the local ecosystems
and wildlife.
• Waste Management: Establish powerful waste control structures,
such as recycling and waste discount programs. Encourage tourists to
get rid of their waste responsibly.
• Sustainable Transportation: Promote green transportation
alternatives, which includes electric buses, bicycles, and on foot
tours. Reduce reliance on excessive-emission motors.
• Water and Energy Conservation: Encourage using water and
energy-saving technology in accommodations and different visitor
centers. Promote accountable consumption of sources.
• Regulation of Water Activities: Control water-based totally sports
to protect coral reefs and marine existence. Enforce tips for
snorkeling, scuba diving, and water sports to save you damage to
fragile ecosystems.
• Local Sourcing: Encourage companies to supply their products and
meals domestically. This supports the nearby economy and decreases
the environmental effect of transportation.
• Visitor Codes of Conduct: Develop and sell codes of conduct for tourists,
emphasizing accountable conduct, respect for local customs, and environmental
protection.
• Seasonal Planning: Promote tourism in the course of off-peak seasons to lessen
overcrowding and stress on assets.
• Funding for Conservation: Allocate a part of tourism revenue to conservation
efforts, which include habitat recovery and safety of endangered species.
• Regulation of Short-Term Rentals: Regulate the boom of short-term excursion
rentals to address housing shortages and maintain the character of residential
neighborhoods.
• Taxation and Fees: Implement tourism taxes and charges that can be reinvested
into local infrastructure, conservation, and community development.
• Tour Operator Responsibility: Encourage excursion operators to choose sustainable
and responsible practices of their itineraries and sell ethical flora and fauna
encounters.
• Monitoring and Research: Continuously display the impact of tourism on the
vacation spot. Conduct research to understand the evolving wishes and demanding
situations of the local people and environment.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Work with government bodies, local groups, NGOs,
and the non-public quarter to broaden and implement sustainable tourism
regulations.
• Destination Certification: Seek certification and reputation for sustainable tourism
efforts, which can entice responsible travelers and offer an incentive for persevered
improvements.
