Impacts of Tourism on

Environment, Culture and

Economy
By

Aftab Rana
Tourism Development Specialist, FIRMS Project, USAID
President of Sustainable Tourism Foundation
Former Director General of Adventure Foundation Pakistan
Fellow of Leadership for Environment and Development

Topography of Pakistan

Landscape Diversity of
Pakistan

We have rich biodiversity

We have rich cultural

heritage

We have rich cultural

diversity

Global Tourism Overview

It is expected to

generate over 11
trillion dollars globally
2020.
It employs
approximately 231
million people
It generates over
10% of worlds GDP
In Pakistan, we
generated 243 million
USD in 2008 only
from foreign tourism

Tourism is like
fire: you can cook
your food on it, but
if you are not
careful it can burn
your house down
Asian saying

Impacts of tourism
on Environment

God has given us gift of beautiful

nature

But we have ruined it!

He gave us rivers with crystal clear

waters

But we have poisoned them!

There was a fairytale lake

But what we have done

with it!

There was a misty Jungle

But now there is a concrete Jungle over there!

He gave us majestic mountains

But we have made them high

altitude garbage dumping sites!

There were beautiful

valleys

Careless development of tourism

infrastructure has ruined their
beauty!

Positive impacts of tourism

on environment
Increase in the level of awareness about NRM
Community understand the value of

sustainable use of their natural resources

Money generated can be used to improve the
natural or built environment

Impacts of tourism
on Culture

Negative Impacts of Tourism on

Culture
Cultural erosion as traditional ceremonies are

performed for tourists their cultural or religious

importance is diminished.

Negative Impacts of Tourism on

Culture
Traditional cultures are abandoned as young

people look to foreign cultures for their role

models.

Negative Impacts of Tourism on

Culture
Cultures are destroyed as drugs, child prostitution,

HIV are introduced as a side effect of tourism.

Negative Impacts of Tourism on

Culture
Locals can dislike the tourists as they fail to pay

local culture the necessary respect.

Positive Impacts of Tourism on

Culture
For many, the experience of different cultures is

seen as an enriching and educating one. The

benefits can be felt by the hosts and the visitors.
The breaking down of prejudices as people
experience other cultures and societies. This is
directly linked to the fact that most prejudice is a
consequence of ignorance.
The strengthening of a culture as that culture
becomes supported by tourism.
Reduction in the dilution of culture as locals don't
have to migrate to find work.

Impacts of Tourism
on Economy

Impacts of Tourism on Economy

Negative Impacts of tourism on

Economy
Leakage of income out of the destination.
Influence of outside investors
Price hike
Uneven income distribution

Positive impacts of tourism on

Economy
It create many jobs for local people
Generate substantial revenue.
Provide valuable source of foreign

exchange
Improvement in the local infrastructure
Improve living standards of local people

How we can create

a good balance?

Sustainable Tourism Foundation

Pakistan

STFPs Tourism Code of

Ethics
Protect the Environment its flora, fauna

and landscapes
Respect local cultures traditions, religions
and built heritage
Benefit local communities both
economically and socially
Conserve natural resources from office to
destination
Minimise pollution through noise, waste
disposal and congestion

Things to Do 5 Point
Agenda
1. Educate industry stakeholders about

the positive and negative impacts of

tourism.
2. Policy reform to adopt responsible
Tourism
3. Develop guidelines and code of
ethics for different stakeholders
4. Improve legislation and its
implementation mechanism

Join Hands to Promote Sustainable

Tourism

Because it is crucial for the

survival of tourism industry

Thanks for your

attention
Aftab Rana
Email: stfpak@gmail.com
0300-9742158