ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF

TOURISM
TOURISM'S THREE MAIN IMPACT AREAS
Negative impacts from tourism occur when the level of visitor use is
greater than the environment's ability to cope with this use within the
acceptable limits of change. Uncontrolled conventional tourism poses
potential threats to many natural areas around the world. It can put
enormous pressure on an area and lead to impacts such as soil erosion,
increased pollution, discharges into the sea, natural habitat loss, increased
pressure on endangered species and heightened vulnerability to forest
fires. It often puts a strain on water resources, and it can force local
populations to compete for the use of critical resources.

DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Tourism development can put pressure on natural resources when it
increases consumption in areas where resources are already scarce.

Water resources

Water, and especially fresh water, is one of the most critical natural
resources. The tourism industry generally overuses water resources for
hotels, swimming pools, golf courses and personal use of water by
tourists. This can result in water shortages and degradation of water
supplies, as well as generating a greater volume of waste water.
In dryer regions like the
Mediterranean, the issue of water
scarcity is of particular concern.
Because of the hot climate and the
tendency of tourists to consume
more water when on holiday than
they do at home, the amount used
can run up to 440 liters a day. This
is almost double what the
inhabitants of an average Spanish city use.

Golf course maintenance can also deplete fresh water resources. In recent
years golf tourism has increased in popularity and the number of golf
courses has grown rapidly. Golf courses require an enormous amount of
water every day and, as with other causes of excessive extraction of water,
this can result in water scarcity. If the water comes from wells,
overpumping can cause saline intrusion into groundwater. Golf resorts
are more and more often situated in or near protected areas or areas
where resources are limited, exacerbating their impacts.

An average golf course in a tropical country such as Thailand needs 1500kg of

chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides per year and uses as much water as
60,000 rural villagers.
Source: Tourism Concern

Local resources

Tourism can create great pressure on local resources like energy, food,
and other raw materials that may already be in short supply. Greater
extraction and transport of these resources exacerbates the physical
impacts associated with their exploitation. Because of the seasonal
character of the industry, many destinations have ten times more
inhabitants in the high season as in the low season. A high demand is
placed upon these resources to meet the high expectations tourists often
have (proper heating, hot water, etc.).
Land degradation

Important land resources include minerals, fossil fuels, fertile soil, forests,
wetland and wildlife. Increased construction of tourism and recreational
facilities has increased the pressure on these resources and on scenic
landscapes. Direct impact on natural resources, both renewable and
nonrenewable, in the provision of tourist facilities can be caused by the
use of land for accommodation and other infrastructure provision, and
the use of building materials.

Forests often suffer negative impacts of tourism in the form of

deforestation caused by fuel wood collection and land clearing. For
example, one trekking tourist in Nepal - and area already suffering the
effects of deforestation - can use four to five kilograms of wood a day.

POLLUTION
Tourism can cause the same forms of pollution as any other industry: air
emissions, noise, solid waste and littering, releases of sewage, oil and
chemicals, even architectural/visual pollution.

Air pollution and noise

Transport by air, road, and rail is continuously increasing in response to

the rising numbe reported that the number of international air passengers
worldwide rose from 88 million in 1972 to 344 million in 1994. One
consequence of this increase in air transport is that tourism now accounts
for more than 60% of air travel and is therefore responsible for an
important share of air emissions. One study estimated that a single
transatlantic return flight emits almost half the CO2 emissions produced
by all other sources (lighting, heating, car use, etc.) consumed by an
average person yearly. (Mayer Hillman, Town & Country Planning
magazine, September 1996. Source: MFOE ).

Transport emissions and emissions from energy production and use are
linked to acid rain, global warming and photochemical pollution. Air
pollution from tourist transportation has impacts on the global level,
especially from carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions related to transportation
energy use. And it can contribute to severe local air pollution. Some of
these impacts are quite specific to tourist activities. For example,
especially in very hot or cold countries, tour buses often leave their
motors running for hours while the tourists go out for an excursion
because they want to return to a comfortably air-conditioned bus.

Noise pollution from airplanes, cars, and buses, as well as recreational

vehicles such as snowmobiles and jet skis, is an ever-growing problem of
modern life. In addition to causing annoyance, stress, and even hearing
loss for it humans, it causes distress to wildlife, especially in sensitive
areas. For instance, noise generated by snowmobiles can cause animals
to alter their natural activity patterns.

In winter 2000, 76,271 people entered Yellowstone National Park on

snowmobiles, outnumbering the 40,727 visitors who came in cars, 10,779 in
snowcoaches and 512 on skis. A survey of snowmobile impacts on natural sounds
at Yellowstone found that snowmobile noise could be heard 70% of the time at
11 of 13 sample sites, and 90% of the time at 8 sites. At the Old Faithful geyser,
snowmobiles could be heard 100% of the time during the daytime period
studied. Snowmobile noise drowned out even the sound of the geyser erupting.
(Source: Idahonews)

Solid waste and littering

In areas with high concentrations of tourist activities and

appealing natural attractions, waste disposal is a serious
problem and improper disposal can be a major despoiler
of the natural environment - rivers, scenic areas, and
roadsides. For example, cruise ships in the Caribbean are
estimated to produce more than 70,000 tons of waste
each year. Today some cruise lines are actively working to
reduce waste-related impacts. Solid waste and littering
can degrade the physical appearance of the water and shoreline and
cause the death of marine animals.
In mountain areas, trekking tourists generate a great deal of waste.
Tourists on expedition leave behind their garbage, oxygen cylinders and
even camping equipment. Such practices degrade the environment with
all the detritus typical of the developed world, in remote areas that have
few garbage collection or disposal facilities. Some trails in the Peruvian
Andes and in Nepal frequently visited by tourists have been nicknamed
"Coca-Cola trail" and "Toilet paper trail".

The Wider Caribbean Region, stretching from Florida to French Guiana, receives
63,000 port calls from ships each year, and they generate 82,000 tons of garbage.
About 77% of all ship waste comes from cruise vessels. The average cruise ship
carries 600 crew members and 1,400 passengers. On average, passengers on a
cruise ship each account for 3.5 kilograms of garbage daily - compared with the
0.8 kilograms each generated by the less well-endowed folk on shore.
Source: Our Planet, UNEP magazine for environmentally sustainable development, volume 10, no. 3, 1999

Sewage

Construction of hotels, recreation and other facilities often

leads to increased sewage pollution. Wastewater has
polluted seas and lakes surrounding tourist attractions,
damaging the flora and fauna. Sewage runoff causes
serious damage to coral reefs because it stimulates the
growth of algae, which cover the filter-feeding corals,
hindering their ability to survive. Changes in salinity and
siltation can have wide-ranging impacts on coastal
environments. And sewage pollution can threaten the health of humans
and animals.

Aesthetic Pollution

Often tourism fails to integrate its structures with the natural features and
indigenous architectural of the destination. Large, dominating resorts of
disparate design can look out of place in any natural environment and
may clash with the indigenous structural design.
A lack of land-use planning and building regulations in many destinations
has facilitated sprawling developments along coastlines, valleys and
scenic routes. The sprawl includes tourism facilities themselves and
supporting infrastructure such as roads, employee housing, parking,
service areas, and waste disposal.

PHYSICAL IMPACTS
Attractive landscape sites, such as sandy beaches, lakes, riversides, and
mountain tops and slopes, are often transitional zones, characterized by
species-rich ecosystems. Typical physical impacts include the degradation
of such ecosystems.

An ecosystem is a geographic area including all the living organisms

(people, plants, animals, and microorganisms), their physical
surroundings (such as soil, water, and air), and the natural cycles that
sustain them. The ecosystems most threatened with degradation are
ecologically fragile areas such as alpine regions, rain forests, wetlands,
mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass beds. The threats to and pressures
on these ecosystems are often severe because such places are very
attractive to both tourists and developers.

In industrial countries, mass tourism and recreation are now fast overtaking the
extractive industries as the largest threat to mountain communities and
environments. Since 1945, visits to the 10 most popular mountainous national
parks in the United States have increased twelve-fold. In the European Alps,
tourism now exceeds 100 million visitor-days. Every year in the Indian Himalaya,
more than 250,000 Hindu pilgrims, 25,000 trekkers, and 75 mountaineering
expeditions climb to the sacred source of the Ganges River, the Gangotri Glacier.
They deplete local forests for firewood, trample riparian vegetation, and strew
litter. Even worse, this tourism frequently induces poorly planned, land-intensive
development.
(Source: People and the Planet)
Physical impacts are caused not only by tourism-related land clearing and
construction, but by continuing tourist activities and long-term changes
in local economies and ecologies.

Physical impacts of tourism development

 Construction activities and infrastructure development

The development of tourism facilities such as accommodation,
water supplies, restaurants and recreation facilities can involve sand
mining, beach and sand dune erosion, soil erosion and extensive
paving. In addition, road and airport construction can lead to land
degradation and loss of wildlife habitats and deterioration of
scenery.

In Yosemite National Park (US), for instance, the number of roads and
facilities have been increased to keep pace with the growing visitor
numbers and to supply amenities, infrastructure and parking lots for all
these tourists. These actions have caused habitat loss in the park and are
accompanied by various forms of pollution including air pollution from
automobile emissions; the Sierra Club has reported "smog so thick that
Yosemite Valley could not be seen from airplanes". This occasional smog
is harmful to all species and vegetation inside the Park. (Source: Trade and
Environment Database)

 Deforestation and intensified or unsustainable use of land

Construction of ski resort accommodation and facilities frequently
requires clearing forested land. Coastal wetlands are often drained
and filled due to lack of more suitable sites for construction of
tourism facilities and infrastructure. These activities can cause
severe disturbance and erosion of the local ecosystem, even
destruction in the long term.

 Marina development Development of marinas and breakwaters

can cause changes in currents and coastlines. Furthermore,
extraction of building materials such as sand affects coral reefs,
mangroves, and hinterland forests, leading to erosion and
 destruction of habitats. In the Philippines and the Maldives,
dynamiting and mining of coral for resort building materials has
damaged fragile coral reefs and depleted the fisheries that sustain
local people and attract tourists.

Overbuilding and extensive paving of shorelines can result in

destruction of habitats and disruption of land-sea connections
(such as sea-turtle nesting spots). Coral reefs are especially fragile
marine ecosystems and are suffering worldwide from reef-based
tourism developments. Evidence suggests a variety of impacts to
coral result from shoreline development, increased sediments in the
water, trampling by tourists and divers, ship groundings, pollution
from sewage, overfishing, and fishing with poisons and explosives
that destroy coral habitat.

Physical impacts from tourist activities

 Trampling Tourists using the same trail over and over again
trample the vegetation and soil, eventually causing damage that
can lead to loss of biodiversity and other impacts. Such damage can
be even more extensive when visitors frequently stray off
established trails.

Trampling impacts on
Trampling impacts on soil
vegetation

Breakage and bruising of stems Loss of organic matter

Reduced plant vigor Reduction in soil macro porosity

Decrease in air and water

Reduced regeneration
permeability

Loss of ground cover Increase in run off

Change in species composition Accelerated erosion

Source: University of Idaho
  Anchoring and other marine activities In marine areas (around
coastal waters, reefs, beach and shoreline, offshore waters, uplands
and lagoons) many tourist activities occur in or around fragile
ecosystems. Anchoring, snorkeling, sport fishing and scuba diving,
yachting, and cruising are some of the activities that can cause
direct degradation of marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, and
subsequent impacts on coastal protection and fisheries.

There are 109 countries with coral reefs. In 90 of them reefs are being damaged
by cruise ship anchors and sewage, by tourists breaking off chunks of coral, and
by commercial harvesting for sale to tourists. One study of a cruise ship anchor
dropped in a coral reef for one day found an area about half the size of a football
field completely destroyed, and half again as much covered by rubble that died
later. It was estimated that coral recovery would take fifty years.
Source: Ocean Planet

 Alteration of ecosystems by tourist activities Habitat can be

degraded by tourism leisure activities. For example, wildlife viewing
can bring about stress for the animals and alter their natural
behavior when tourists come too close. Safaris and wildlife
watching activities have a degrading effect on habitat as they often
are accompanied by the noise and commotion created by tourists
as they chase wild animals in their trucks and aircraft. This puts high
pressure on animal habits and behaviors and tends to bring about
behavioral changes. In some cases, as in Kenya, it has led to animals
becoming so disturbed that at times they neglect their young or fail
to mate.
Environmental Impact of
Tourism
By: Dr Gareth Evans - Updated: 9 Dec 2015

The debate over travel and its effects on the environment has at least over recent
years, tended to focus primarily on issues of aviation, global warming and man-
made climate change. For tourism especially, much of the discussion of its negative
effects has centred on the issue of carbon emissions. Clearly, the return of fossil
carbon into the atmosphere from the burgeoning flights necessary to take growing
numbers of us to ever more distant corners of the globe is a concern, but it is by
no means the only one. Indeed it is not even the only aspect of the emissions-
from-flying question itself – the nitrogen oxides and water vapour also produced
from aircraft seldom get a mention and yet they are greenhouse gases too.

Physical Environment
Tourism has effects beyond the fuel burnt simply getting on holiday in the first place and
many of them are much more immediately visible than the more sinister and intangible
threat of emissions. In many places, the physical environment can be heavily affected by
the passage of tourists, especially for popular destinations, where the sheer weight of
numbers of people visiting can simply prove too much. Often as a tourist venue becomes
better known, a round of building work follows the accompanying expansion of the
original settlement, usually to the detriment of the local environment – which can often
have been the reason for its popularity in the first place. More hotels and more restaurants
inevitably mean more strain on the local infrastructure, but they also mean more light
pollution too. This is not simply about no longer being able to see the stars so easily. In
some parts of the world – the Greek Islands being a well-known case – restaurants along
the beaches are very popular tourist draws, but their light-spillage confuses hatching sea-
turtles. The young hatchlings are programmed to head for the brightest thing they can
see – in nature, the water’s edge – and safety. When they follow their age-old instinct
today, they are as likely to be heading in exactly the opposite direction – and Tavernas
offer no refuge from cats or predatory gulls.

The over-usage problem is not restricted solely to seaside resorts, nor just too
foreign holiday destinations. Many of the most popular of Britain’s National Parks,
mountain paths and forestry walks exhibit the signs of wear and tear – eroded
paths, excessive litter and general damage – often not intentional, but unwelcome
never-the-less. It is perhaps one of the great ironies that the growing numbers of
people looking to reconnect with nature and holiday at home to avoid excessive
carbon costs, may unwittingly be contributing to one problem, while trying to solve
another.

Resources and Infrastructure

Seasonal influxes of tourists also place additional demands on local resources, particularly
in remote and poorer parts of the world. Water, energy and food, for example are often
used much more frugally than in the west – the average tourist generally requiring far
more than what would constitute a “fair share” by the standards of the region. Even where
the infrastructure exists to meet this demand – and in many places it does not – often the
end result leads to a gradual environmental deterioration unless significant new
investment follows in the wake of the tourist-boom. It does not take too much additional
water extraction from watercourses or groundwater to begin to see changes to rivers and
wetlands; in the same way demands for energy which are met with hydro-electric schemes
can themselves have their affect on aquatic habitats.

Tourism also increases the pressure on the arrangements for managing waste and
wastewater. Even in the developed world, this can be a significant issue, especially
if the resort has a naturally small year-round population, since it is unlikely that the
original facilities have been made large enough to cope with the additional load
placed on them during the season.

The problem is far worse for many developing countries, where the existing
infrastructure is often heavily under-resourced and struggles to cope with the
indigenous demand; treatment and disposal routes can be significantly stretched
by the extra burden of the tourist industry.It is almost impossible to avoid having
some kind of negative environmental impact when you travel and it is certainly not
all about flying. The very act of going on holiday – however you go – inevitably
means that you will cause some kind of damage and make some demands on local
resources – however slight. However, being aware of the sorts of things which
cause the biggest problems enables you to begin to avoid doing them, which is a
positive step in itself. While you may not be able to get around doing harm
altogether, you can at least minimise how much you do – and knowing where to
start is half the battle.

The environmental impact of tourism If the positive impact of tourism can be observed
most easily on the economy, then surely, that the negative impact on the environment is
the most evident. Compared with the economic impact of tourism, the environment has
become a theme for studies and research recently, joining in the ecologist stream at the
end of the '80s and early '90s (Holden, 2003:94). For an accurate overview of the
relationship between tourism and the environment we must take into account a large
number of actors involved in tourism activity(Holden, 2009:17): authorities (local and
central), private sector (local and external contractors), non-governmental organizations,
with the focus on tourism activity, local community, tourists/visitors. "The common
denominator of these actors is the man. Consequently, when we talk about the relationship
between tourism and the natural environment it is necessary to consider that this
relationship is the expression of human interaction with nature ... [so] to determine the
effect of tourism on the natural environment we should take into account the following:
the price we attach nature, cultural stereotypes about nature and the ethical relationship
of man with nature.” (Holden, 2009:17) Sharpley (2006:22) believes that the environment
is a fundamental element of the tourists’ experience. Tourists are looking for attractive
natural resources, different and special, allowing specific tourism activities. At the same
time, the development of tourism consumes resources, 504 creates waste and requires a
certain degree of infrastructure development, which in some cases can lead to the
degradation and destruction of the environment. The relationship between tourism and
the environment crossed four stages over time (Sharpley 2006:122): · coexistence in the
beginning of tourism activities, the impact was minimal; · conflict: mass tourism was seen
as a destroyer of nature; · idealism: symbiosis possible by developing "green" tourism; ·
realism: different approaches to development that put in balance the needs of the tourists,
the locals and the environment. Sharpley (2006:121) argues that there is a high degree of
difficulty to pinpoint the negative impacts that tourism can have on the environment
because: · it’s not always clear if the environmental degradation is caused by tourist activity
or other human activities; · the impact of tourism on the environment is rarely visible
immediately; tourism development may cause an indirect impact that is felt in some cases
in other regions; · often we lack references to measure the consequences of tourism on
the environment. On one hand, Swarbrooke (1999) and Holden (2009:22) believe that the
natural environment has benefited from tourism, through the conservation actions and
protection of nature (natural and national parks, protected areas etc.). Also, tourism causes
a deeper appreciation of the nature of the tourists and the local population. Tourism is
considered a "friendly" alternative to other industries that could benefit the locals. On the
other hand, tourism has direct negative effects on the natural environment and it puts a
high pressure on the carrying capacity of host regions and indirect, from development of
tourist facilities (Ioannides, 1995:583). It becomes obvious that the environment consisting
of the countryside will suffer from the construction of hotels, parks, shopping malls or
amusement parks. Most common consequences of tourism on the environment are: ·
changing the structure of flora and fauna (ski slopes); · pollution of water, air and soil, etc.;
· soil erosion (landslides or disappearance of beaches); · depletion of natural resources; ·
traffic congestion and public transport; · visual impact (anarchic/chaotic urbanization of
seaside and mountain resorts). Unfortunately, the local population is one that has to "pay"
the costs of the resulting environment degradation from tourist exploitation and the
degradation is most of time observed or felt only after a period of time (Beeton 2006:19;
Holden 2009:19). Conclusions We can conclude that tourism has various consequences,
which are influenced by a large number of factors, especially the ability and willingness of
the community to accept changes (Beeton, 2006:21). For some communities, tourism is
one of the few options for economic survival. For others tourism is a combination of
positive and negative factors (the most common situation). Finally, there are communities
where tourism has generated a large number of negative externalities, for which the
population was not ready. To avoid these unpleasant situations planning and strict control
by the community and authorities are needed (Statzu and Strazzera, 2011:58; Roberts and
Hall 2001:55). Goeldner and Ritchie (2012:25) believe that the challenge for the tourism
industry is obtaining benefits that will outweigh the costs, and taking measures to 505
mitigate negative effects. "Tourism development should be part of an economic
development and must be done in a manner that is sustainable."

The impact of tourism on society

There is no doubt of the economic benefits brought by tourism, but these are not explained
reliably. Tourism is an invasion. Perhaps a peaceful invasion, but nonetheless an invasion, which
affects the everyday lives of locals. The danger arises when saturation levels are reached, which
is the point at which citizens no longer feel that the city, neighbourhood, or the area they have
always used for leisure belongs to them. This has already happened in the area around the
Sagrada Família and the Ramblas in Barcelona, and in certain places on the island of Majorca,
for example. It is at this point that tourism becomes a social burden, creating anti-tourist
attitudes and the risk of the appearance of graffiti like the message that I saw in Barcelona
some years ago: 'Tourist, you are the terrorist'.

It is this one-dimensional view of tourism as nothing more than an economic activity that has
created these situations. It is important to provide a suitable explanation of the
macroeconomic impacts to avoid the locals believing that tourism only benefits a tiny minority.
We must explain the direct, indirect and induced jobs provided by this activity. We must also
explain how, year after year, revenue from tourism has helped and helps to reduce the deficit
of the balance of payments in this country, a balance that is affected by a structural deficit.
And we must also explain, among other things, the extensive multiplying effect tourism has for
our economy. In short, we must explain that those tourists who visit us have played a large
part in the fact that today we are a developed country with an established welfare state, even
though this may currently be under threat as a result of the current crisis. And that it is thanks
to them that the crisis is not worse.

But even if we explain these things, there is another problem to solve: the fact that for the most
part these benefits do not remain in the destination. Thanks to tourism activity, a huge volume
of revenue is created in the form of tax: social security contributions, income tax, VAT,
corporate tax, etc. But, where does the money go? To the central Spanish treasury, which then
shares it out in the proportions that we all know. But the biggest injustice is that town councils
receive funds from the State based on the population that is registered on the municipal
register, which means that the direct economic benefits that we receive are minimal. In the
meantime, the budgets of town councils in tourism destinations suffer negative economic
effects as a result of tourism. I will provide just two examples of this: increased waste disposal
costs and increased security budgets. We could also add other figures to this debate, such as
investments in infrastructures that are designed to cope with the high tourist season but are
under-used the rest of the year.

The perception held by the resident that tourism benefits a minority becomes more acute when
they have to pay higher prices for consumer goods than economic logic should dictate. All you
have to do is look at any item for sale on the Passeig de Gràcia or Ramblas shopping strips in
Barcelona. In these areas we can certainly find direct responsibility on the part of the
businesspeople in the sector (not everyone) who are making the most of the higher spending
power of tourists to increase their prices, creating artificial inflation that also affects the local
population. And if we look at residential tourism, the economic effects worsen considerably,
as the demand for homes increases above normal levels and therefore the prices do too,
leaving local residents unable to access the housing market. This happens in any destination
that already existed before the influx of mass tourism, where tourists and residents share space
and time, but although it does not happen in destinations created specifically for tourists,
where everything is designed for this purpose, there is nonetheless significant social impact,
because the sole contact between tourists and locals is in the service provided to the former
by the latter. This creates a master-servant relationship within which both parties have a
distorted view of reality. This is why Majorca is known by many Germans as the island of
servants.

The initial position of the resident to the onslaught of tourism is always positive, because it is
seen as bringing economic progress and possibilities for cultural exchange. But over time,
when these benefits are not clearly felt, residents little by little go through stages that range
from indifference to clear, open opposition: 'Tourist, you are the terrorist'.

What options are available so that we do not squander an activity that has brought us so many
social benefits? We must either implement a new model or take measures to reduce negative
effects as much as possible.

As mentioned above, we must explain the benefits that tourism implies, but citizens must also
see them and notice them in their everyday lives. This means that the system of financing to
the municipalities must be changed and there must be serious consideration of a tourist tax
that would serve to alleviate the negative impacts in a way that is transparent. There must also
be a call for social responsibility among tourism companies in terms of price fixing. But in
addition to that, we must put an end to the increasing trivialisation of tourism, where anything
goes. A local of Barcelona might think that their city is no longer their own when they can no
longer walk down the Ramblas, when they have to pay inflated prices on Passeig de Gràcia or
when a souvenir shop is selling Mexican sombreros as local culture.

Either we do something or we will be suffocated by our own success. We must try to meet the
needs of tourists, but also those of the local population in tourism destinations.
Author: Dr. Albert Blasco Peris
Coordinator of Tourism Studies and of OCITUR 2012, the First International Congress of Leisure
and Tourism
El Maresme University School, affiliated to Pompeu Fabra University
TecnoCampus Mataró-Maresme

THE IMPACTS OF TOURISM ON SOCIETY Bâc Dorin Paul University of Oradea Faculty of
Economics Tourism is one of the most important components of the global economy. It
generates billions of dollars in revenues and millions of jobs worldwide. It is considered by
many communities, especially in emerging countries the only tool for development, and
the only chance for increasing the quality of life. Thus the tourism industry has stretched
from seaside to mountain resorts and from small villages to big metropolises. But at the
same time, tourism started to show its uglier side. Both the actions of investors and of
tourists are having negative impacts on the socio-cultural values and environmental assets
of host communities all over the world. In the present paper we are trying to observe the
impacts of tourism on society from three perspectives: economic, social and cultural, and
environmental. From the economic perspective, tourism generates wealth and jobs, but
the wealth leaks from the community and the jobs are mainly lowincome. From the socio-
cultural perspective, tourism brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures
and traditions and promotes peace. But at the same time, due to globalization, many
communities have lost their cultural identity and gave way to a Disneyfication of their
village or town. Last but not least, tourism helped create national parks and protected
areas, where unique examples of flora and fauna can be found. But tourists have been
proven to be a problem, because of the pollution they generate. Tourist entrepreneurs can
also be blamed for a total disrespect to local traditions and the environment. The main
problem from these negative impacts is that the local community is the only side that picks
up the check for all the damages on the culture, tradition and, most importantly on the
environment. Keywords: tourism, globalization, environment, sustainability JEL Codes:
Q52, Q57 Introduction Since the second half of the twentieth century, tourism has been
gaining momentum and in 2011 total revenues from tourism activities have reaches 1000
billion dollars (UNWTO, 2012). So we can firmly say that tourism: 1. compared to other
industries, it has a superior capacity to distribute wealth and promote regional
development, 2. it has a high multiplier effect, 3. it generates a varying consumption of
goods and services. But a series of scholars and researchers have found a growing number
of examples of negative impacts of tourism in the host regions. In the present paper we
are trying to present a series of positive and negative impacts of tourism from three points
of view: economic, socio-cultural and environmental. Tourism activities take place in a
natural and manmade environment, which is extremely complex. The manmade
environment consists of economic, social and cultural processes and factors, and the
natural environment is made up of the natural landscape, climate, flora and fauna present
in a certain space. Mason (2003: 27-28) argues that there can be made a clear delimitation
between the two environments, which is necessary when we talk about tourism’s impacts.
1. The economic impact of tourism In the ‘60s and ‘70s the first studies regarding the
impact tourism could have on regions or destinations have been focused on economics.
This singular point of focus was based on two 501 facts: 1. the economic impact was easier
to quantify and 2. there was a general optimism regarding the benefits that tourism
generates. But tourism in its nature is drawn by unique and fragile destinations, and it
became clear that in some cases the economic benefits can be shadowed by the negative
consequences on the community and the environment, which were never estimated in the
past (Dwyer et al. 2004: 307 – 308; Archer et al. 2005: 79-80) The benefits and costs
generated by the tourism activity should be viewed from three sides: tourists, local
community and authorities. On one side we have the tourists, who pay to enjoy a certain
form of tourism. On another side, we have the local community who enjoy the benefits
(mainly financial) from the tourism activity. At the same time, they are the ones who have
to face the hidden costs tourists leave behind. Last but not least, we have the government
and the local authorities. For them, tourism generates revenues through taxes, the creation
of jobs and contribution to the balance of payments (Goeldner and Ritchie, 2012:24,
Lickorish and Jenkins, 1997:65-66; Saarinen, 2007:42). If we go further into details, we can
talk about a fourth side: investors. From their perspective, the benefits are solely financial,
based on the incomes of the businesses they have set up in the hostregion. Regarding the
costs, investors are immune to any other cost, than the financial one. The tourism industry
seems to be the most efficient branch of the economy in generating jobs and income in
less developed, peripheral countries / regions, where development opportunities are
limited. In these regions, the economic impact of tourism is felt most strongly. People from
these regions are generally farmers or fishermen and the involvement in tourism activity
can substantially increase their household income. Also an increase in the local tourism
industry can provide an incentive for related activities (agricultural products or souvenirs
that could be used for the accommodation and catering). According to some authors
(Archer et. al., 2005:81-82), the introduction of tourism industry in these regions may have
a greater effect on the welfare of the resident population, compared to a more developed
region in the same country. For such a development of tourism in an emerging country or
region the following are need: basic infrastructure (access roads, drinking water etc.),
lodging (hotels, pensions, etc.) and other facilities and services necessary for tourism
(catering, transport, etc.). Archer et. al. (2005:83) believes that some of these utilities are
indivisible in the sense that they are provided the tourism industry, and at the same time
they are used by local people. Thus, in many emerging countries, motorways and airports
built for tourism, now offer easier access to more distant markets for many local products.
Unfortunately, the local population enjoys little benefits from this development. This is
essentially a problem of distribution, both physical and economic. The market does not
ensure that development will keep up with demand. It is imperative that realistic and
accurate planning is made and the enforcement of rules and laws to reduce conflicts and,
where appropriate, preserve and protect the unique features of the nature tourists and
residents can enjoy. This is a lesson that was learned quite recently by emerging countries.
At a superficial level, the economic benefits of tourism seem obvious."In recent years an
increasing number of authors have expressed reservations about the nature and extent of
the benefits of tourism and expressed skepticism about the potential of tourism as a
catalyst for growth and development as a means of maximizing the welfare of local
people" (Archer et al., 2005:82-83). In a study conducted in Turkey (Tosun et. al. 2003:155-
159), it was noted that although tourism – as an economic development strategy -
increased the rate of economic growth and created inequalities between regions and
social classes. The inequalities were caused by economic incentives for coastal tourism
development at the expense of rural areas. In essence, this is a problem of allocating
resources and whether the developing of the tourism industry represents the optimal use
of available resources - natural, human, etc. Rural areas are generally lacking economic
diversity and adequate infrastructure, and are based on a limited number of economic
activities, and have a less educated population. All this 502 contributes to the limitation of
the rural population to secure jobs, promote investment, etc.. Also, in these regions there
is some lack of planning, management and monitoring of economic activities – including
tourism. In terms of jobs the ones supplied by tourism they are to some extent seasonal,
with low wages and limited opportunities for promotion. If we compare it with other
industries, tourism requires employees with a low level of specialization, which determines
the relatively low salary (Mathieson and Wall, 1982, Lickorish and Jenkins, 1997:73, Muller
and Jansson, 2007:4). In conclusion, from an economic perspective, the objective of the
local community should be to obtain higher results than the costs they have to pay. 2. The
socio-cultural impact of tourism Tourism has often been associated with the contact
between cultures, behaviors, values and traditions. Tourism is considered a framework
where hosts and tourists can learn better about from each other, through direct
interaction. Also, tourism requires host communities to be more responsive and educated
to provide quality services to tourists. In addition, interactions between locals and tourists
generates the emergence of new ideas, values and motivations for social and economic
progress (Brown 1998: 237-238; Bersales 2005:239; Nyaupane et al. 2006: 1373). Tourism
can revitalize a community's cultural life, as art and traditions are an attraction for foreign
visitors (Mason 2003:43). The attitude of local people on tourism crosses four stages, as
they were defined by Doxley (quoted by Fennel 2007:47-48): • euphoria – tourists are
welcomed by the community, without control or planning; • apathy – tourists are
considered a given by the community, and the tourists – locals relationship becomes
formal and commercial; • discomfort – reaching saturation with the tourism industry, the
community starts to change its attitude towards tourism. Decision makers further develop
infrastructure instead of limiting growth; • antagonism – locals show their irritation with
tourism and tourists. Planning should be the remedy, but increased promotional activity is
contracted to change the deteriorating image and reputation of the village. We cannot
talk about the socio-cultural impact of tourism without talking about globalization and its
effects on local cultures. One result of globalization is consumerism. It is defined as an
increase in demand for consumption in an increasing variety of products and services.
Consumerism affects tourists, who are a part of the consumer-oriented society,
characterized by: modern urban lifestyle, expectations for high-level services and an
attitude characterized by the expression: "everything is for sale"(Reisinger 2009:11-13).
There are authors (Reisinger) who argue that consumerism destroys culture and generates
environmental and social problems: traffic congestion and queues at natural and man-
made attractions. An example of this is Venice, which is overwhelmed by tourists,
generating an increasing number of environmental and social issues. "Venice is full of
tourists. The invasion of tourists in San Marco Basilica caused damages to the frescoes due
to the condensation created by the breath of the visitors. Also, the stone floor was
constantly eroded by the river of travelers. Unfortunately, this type of problem is often
accepted by tourists as an important part of the personal experience. "(Richards, quoted
by Reisinger, 2009:20) Globalization is accused of destroying the socio-cultural identity of
the local communities and indigenous values, traditions and lifestyle (Macleod 2004:15;
Reisinger 2009:21). Cities visited by tourists in developing countries are not authentic, but
rather disinfected and McDonaldized (Paramo La Haine 2008). Diversity gives way to
efficiency and local culture to global culture. A small village, which is facing many
economic problems can succeed a change of 180 degrees, by capitalizing on several
features: beautiful scenery, tranquility and lack of congestion. 503 Unfortunately, for many
communities the change equals with the loss of local traditions and values by replacing
them with a false rural culture (Hester, 1990:5). In rural areas, land and coastal areas are
purchased by developers / investors, who transform farming and fishing communities in
tourist resorts, replacing farms and forests with apartments or shopping centers. Modern
hotels, highways and recreation centers have no local charm. All the resources that have
attracted tourists in the beginning - the beauty of the landscape, peace and tranquility –
are continuously eroded by tourism development and the rapidly increasing pace of life.
For this reason, the meaning of local culture might dilute and dissolve (Macleod, 2004:16).
Today, tourists experience fishing on "authentic boats", while fishermen work in
supermarkets. This situation causes a fracture between the locals and the socio-cultural
environment. Also contributing to the fracture are the growing number of tourists and the
new technology and modern life. Also, the need for "authentic" has tarnished to some
extent the traditions of certain civilizations. The Keechak dance, interpreted by the Hindu
community in Bali on some special occasions, was shortened, and performed out of the
religious context, daily for the foreign tourist groups. In theory, tourists may feel cheated
by such non - authentic events, but that would require a good knowledge of the cultural
traditions of the area visited by foreign tourists (Mason, 2003:46). In the cities and urban
concentrations, the response to consumerism is the emergence of a growing number of
stores or shopping centers in central areas. The transformation of spaces into tourist
attractions was called by Paramo - La Haine Disney-fication. "Through this process, a
general feeling of security was created with an excessive control combined with increased
attention. Security cameras are installed, alarm systems are engaged and security services
are hired, to ensure that tourists are not bothered by the negative realities such as poverty,
begging, social issues or ecosystem degradation. The less beautiful face of the world has
no place in this controlled environment (Paramo, Le Haine, 2008). Liu (2003:468) states
that tourism is not the main culprit for the loss of cultural identity and traditions: "The
globalization and homogenization of culture, often referred to as Cocacolaisation,
Hollywoodisation or McDonaldisation may not be caused only by tourism. The media, by
means of modern communication and information technology often play a more
important role in shaping the values, opinions, lifestyle and fashion of the world."

SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM

1. 1. SOCIO- CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM Tourism impacts and sustainability (Pre-

Finals) SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
2. 2. SOCIOLOGY OF TOURISM: Defining Society, Culture and Impacts Socio-cultural
Impacts of Tourism  Sociology is the study of society and is concerned with people
in groups, their interaction, their attitudes and their behavior.  Society refers to the
patterns of social organization of and within communities.  Culture is about how
people interact as observed through social interactions, social relations and material
artefacts.
3. 3. Socio-cultural Impacts of Tourism  Social impacts of tourism refers to changes in
the lives of people living in destination communities.  Cultural impacts of tourism
refers to changes in the arts, artifacts, customs, rituals, and architecture of a people. 
The term socio-cultural impactssocio-cultural impacts refers to changes to resident’s
everyday experiences, as well as to their values, way of life, and intellectual and artistic
products. SOCIOLOGY OF TOURISM: Defining Society, Culture and Impacts
4. 4. SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM INTRODUCTION •The socio-cultural
impacts of tourism described here are the effects on host communities of direct and
indirect relations with tourists, and of interaction with the tourism industry. •The
interaction of the two groups will be a major issue in affecting the types of impacts.
•“..when there is large contrast between the culture of the receiving society and the
origin culture, then it is likely that impacts will be greatest.” Burns and Holden (1995)
5. 5. SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM INTRODUCTION •For a variety of reasons,
host communities often are the weaker party in interactions with their guests and
service providers, leveraging any influence they might have. •These influences are not
always apparent, as they are difficult to measure, depend on value judgments and are
often indirect or hard to identify.
6. 6. SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM INTRODUCTION •Impacts arise when
tourism brings changes in value systems / behaviour, threatening indigenous identity.
 •Changes often occur in community structure, family relationships, collective
traditional life styles, ceremonies and morality. •But tourism can also generate positive
impacts as it can serve as a supportive force for peace, foster pride in cultural traditions
and help avoid urban relocation by creating local jobs. •Socio-cultural impacts are
ambiguous: the same objectively described impacts are seen as beneficial by some
groups and as negative by others.
7. 7. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM CHANGE OR LOSS OF
INDIGENOUS IDENTITY OR VALUES Tourism can cause change / loss of local identity
and values by: 1. COMMODIFICATION 2. STANDARDISATION 3. LOSS OF
AUTHENTICITY / STAGED AUTHENTICITY 4. ADAPTATION TO TOURIST DEMANDS
8. 8. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM Commodification •Tourism can
turn local cultures into commodities when religious rituals, traditional ethnic rites and
festivals are reduced and sanitized to conform to tourist expectations, resulting in what
has been called "reconstructed ethnicity." •Once a destination is sold as a tourism
product, and the tourism demand for souvenirs, arts, entertainment and other
commodities begins to exert influence, basic changes in human values may occur.
•Sacred sites and objects may not be respected when they are perceived as goods to
trade.
9. 9. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM Commodification •Keechak
Dance, part of the traditional religious ritual, performed originally only on special
occasions in Bali’s Agama Hindu culture, has been shortened, taken out of its religious
context and performed on a daily basis, to paying tourists groups. •Loss of authenticity.
Tourists want souvenirs, arts, crafts, and cultural manifestations, and in many tourist
destinations, craftsmen have responded to the growing demand, and have made
changes in design of their products to bring them more in line with the new customers'
tastes. While the interest shown by tourists also contributes to the sense of self-worth
of the artists, and helps conserve a cultural tradition, cultural erosion may occur due to
the commodification of cultural goods.
10. 10. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM Standardization •Destinations
risk standardization in the process of satisfying tourists' desires for familiar facilities.
•While landscape, accommodation, food and drinks, etc., must meet the tourists' desire
for the new and unfamiliar, they must at the same time not be too new or strange
because few tourists are actually looking for completely new things. •Tourists often
look for recognizable facilities in an unfamiliar environment, like well-known fast-food
restaurants and hotel chains.
11. 11. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM Culture Clashes • Because
tourism involves movement of people to different geographical locations, and
establishment of social relations between people who would otherwise not meet,
cultural clashes can take place as a result of differences in cultures, ethnicity, religion,
values, lifestyles, languages, and levels of prosperity. • The result can be an
overexploitation of the social carrying capacity (limits of acceptable change in the
social system inside or around the destination) and cultural carrying capacity (limits of
acceptable change in the culture of the host population) of the local community. • The
attitude of local residents towards tourism development may unfold through the
 stages of euphoria, where visitors are very welcome, through apathy, irritation and
potentially antagonism, when anti-tourist attitudes begin growing among local people.
12. 12. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM Cultural clashes may further
arise through: Economic inequality • Many tourists come from societies with different
consumption patterns and lifestyles than what is current at the destination, seeking
pleasure, spending large amounts of money and sometimes behaving in ways that
even they would not accept at home. • One effect is that local people that come in
contact with these tourists may develop a sort of copying behaviour, as they want to
live and behave in the same way (DE). • Especially in less developed countries, there is
likely to be a growing distinction between the 'haves' and 'have-nots', which may
increase social and sometimes ethnic tensions. • In resorts in destination countries such
as Jamaica, Indonesia or Brazil, tourism employees with annual salaries of US$ 1,500
spend their working hours in close contact with guests whose yearly income is well
over US$ 80,000.
13. 13. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM Irritation due to tourist
behaviour •Tourists often, out of ignorance or carelessness, fail to respect local
customs and moral values. •When they do, they can bring about irritation and
stereotyping. •They take a quick snapshot and are gone, and by so acting invade the
local peoples' lives.
14. 14. • In many Muslim countries, strict standards exist regarding the appearance and
behaviour of Muslim women, who must carefully cover themselves in public. • Tourists
in these countries often disregard or are unaware of these standards, ignoring the
prevalent dress code, appearing half-dressed (by local standards) in revealing shorts,
skirts or even bikinis, sunbathing topless at the beach or consuming large quantities
of alcohol openly. • Besides creating ill-will, this kind of behavior can be an incentive
for locals not to respect their own traditions and religion anymore, leading to tensions
within the local community. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
15. 15. Job level friction • In developing countries especially, many jobs occupied by local
people in the tourist industry are at a lower level, such as housemaids, waiters,
gardeners and other practical work, while higher-paying and more prestigious
managerial jobs go to foreigners or "urbanized" nationals. • Due to a lack of
professional training, as well as to the influence of hotel or restaurant chains at the
destination, people with the know-how needed to perform higher level jobs are often
recruited from other countries. • This may cause friction and irritation and increases
the gap between the cultures. • Even in cases where tourism "works", in the sense that
it improves local economies and the earning power of local individuals, it cannot solve
all local social or economic problems. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF
TOURISM
16. 16. Ethical issues Crime generation • Crime rates typically increase with the growth and
urbanization of an area, and growth of mass tourism is often accompanied by increased
crime. • The presence of a large number of tourists with a lot of money to spend, and
often carrying valuables such as cameras and jewellery, increases the attraction for
criminals and brings with it activities like robbery and drug dealing. • Repression of
these phenomena often exacerbates social tension. • In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, tourists
staying in beachside five star resorts close to extremely poor communities in hillside
 "favelas" are at risk of pickpockets and stick-ups. Security agents, often armed with
machine guns, stand guard nearby in full sight, and face aggressive reactions from
locals who are often their neighbours when they go home. NEGATIVE SOCIO-
CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
17. 17. Child labour • Studies show that many jobs in the tourism sector have working and
employment conditions that leave much to be desired: long hours, unstable
employment, low pay, little training and poor chances for qualification. • In addition,
recent developments in the travel and tourism trade (liberalisation, competition,
concentration, drop in travel fares, growth of subcontracting) seem to reinforce the
trend towards more precarious, flexible employment conditions. • For many such jobs
young children are recruited, as they are cheap and flexible employees. NEGATIVE
SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
18. 18. Prostitution and sex tourism • The commercial sexual exploitation of children and
young women has paralleled the growth of tourism in many parts of the world. •
Though tourism is not the cause of sexual exploitation, it provides easy access to it. •
Tourism also brings consumerism to many parts of the world previously denied access
to luxury commodities and services. • The lure of this easy money has caused many
young people, including children, to trade their bodies in exchange for T-shirts,
personal stereos, bikes and even air tickets out of the country. • In other situations
children are trafficked into the brothels on the margins of the tourist areas and sold
into sex slavery, very rarely earning enough money to escape. NEGATIVE SOCIO-
CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
19. 19. Prostitution and sex tourism •The UN has defined child sex tourism as "tourism
organised with the primary purpose of facilitating the effecting of a commercial sexual
relationship with a child". •Certain tourism destinations have become centres for this
illegal trade, frequented by paedophiles and supported by networks of pimps, taxi
drivers, hotel staff, brothel owners, entertainment establishments, and tour operators
who organize package sex tours. •At the international level, there are agents who
provide information about particular resorts where such practices are commonplace.
•Although sexual exploitation of children is a worldwide phenomenon, it is more
prevalent in Asia than elsewhere. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
20. 20. Changes in cultural products and festivals •The production of cultural arts and
activities for tourists has often resulted in changes in cultural products, cultural
festivals, ceremonies, and dances to make them more palatable to visitors. Negative
stereotypes •Int’l tourists and residents often have very different cultural backgrounds
and it develops negative stereotypes of tourists from their direct encounters.
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
21. 21. DEMONSTRATION EFFECT •Demonstration Effect - different approaches exposed
to tourists by the younger and older residents of a community. •It is theorized, that
simply observing tourist will lead to behavioral changes in the resident population
(Williams, 1998). Under these conditions, local people will note the superior material
possessions of the visitors and aspire to these. This may have positive effects; in that it
can encourage residents to adopt more productive patterns of behavior. But more
frequently it is disruptive in that locals become resentful because they are unable to
obtain goods and lifestyle demonstrated by the visitors (Burns and Holden, 1995). •The
 demonstration effect may also encourage the more able, younger members of the
society to migrate from rural areas in search of the “demonstrated” lifestyle in urban
areas or even overseas. NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
22. 22. ACCULTURATION •Acculturation theory states that when two cultures come into
contact for any length of time, an exchange of ideas and products will take place that,
through time, produce varying levels of convergence between the cultures; that is they
become similar. Acculturation may occur when the contact is for a longer period and
is deeper. (Williams, 1998) •However, this process will not necessarily be balanced, as
one culture is likely to be stronger than the other. •One of the perceived negative
effects of this acculturation process is the reduction in the diversity of global cultures.
Ex: ‘McDonaldization’, ‘Coca-Colaization’ NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF
TOURISM
23. 23. HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSERVATION •
Tourism can contribute to positive developments, not just negative impacts. • It has
the potential to promote social development through employment creation, income
redistribution and poverty alleviation. • Other potential positive impacts of tourism
include: – Tourism as a force for peace – Strengthening communities – Facilities
developed for tourism can benefit residents – Revaluation of culture and traditions –
Encourages civic involvement and pride
24. 24. Tourism as a force for peace • Travelling brings people into contact with each other
and, as tourism has an educational element, it can foster understanding between
peoples and cultures and provide cultural exchange between hosts and guests. •
Because of this, the chances increase for people to develop mutual sympathy and
understanding and to reduce their prejudices. • For example, jobs provided by tourism
in Belfast, Northern Ireland, are expected to help demobilize paramilitary groups as the
peace process is put in place. • In the end, sympathy and understanding can lead to a
decrease of tension in the world and thus contribute to peace. HOW TOURISM CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO- CULTURAL CONSERVATION
25. 25. Strengthening communities • Tourism can add to the vitality of communities in
many ways. • One example is that events and festivals of which local residents have
been the primary participants and spectators are often rejuvenated and developed in
response to tourist interest. • The jobs created by tourism can act as a vital incentive
to reduce emigration from rural areas. • Local people can also increase their influence
on tourism development, as well as improve their job and earnings prospects, through
tourism-related professional training and development of business and organizational
skills. HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO- CULTURAL CONSERVATION
26. 26. • The San of Namibia and southern Africa and the aboriginal peoples of Australia
have recently regained management or ownership of traditional national park lands
and conservancies, operating eco-lodges and serving as guides and rangers while
maintaining their heritage. • E.g. Gudigwa Camp, Botswana HOW TOURISM CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO- CULTURAL CONSERVATION
27. 27. Facilities developed for tourism can benefit residents • As tourism supports the
creation of community facilities and services that otherwise might not have been
developed, it can bring higher living standards to a destination. • Benefits can include
upgraded infrastructure, health and transport improvements, new sport and
 recreational facilities, restaurants, and public spaces as well as an influx of better-
quality commodities and food. Revaluation of culture and traditions • Tourism can
boost the preservation and transmission of cultural and historical traditions, which
often contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of natural
resources, the protection of local heritage, and a renaissance of indigenous cultures,
cultural arts and crafts. . HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO- CULTURAL
CONSERVATION
28. 28. Tourism encourages civic involvement and pride • Tourism also helps raise local
awareness of the financial value of natural and cultural sites and can stimulate a feeling
of pride in local and national heritage and interest in its conservation. • More broadly,
the involvement of local communities in tourism development and operation appears
to be an important condition for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO- CULTURAL CONSERVATION
29. 29. Factors Related to Individual Perceptions of Tourism  Residents who are likely to
benefit from tourism are more likely to support tourism.  People with greater of
involvement in and knowledge of tourism tend to support the industry.  Communities
which have had little contact with outsiders have greater difficulty dealing with tourism
than those with a longer history of dealing with other cultures.  Media portrayals of
tourism can influence host perceptions by providing information which is used in the
social construction of reality and which influence public opinion.
30. 30.  Cultural shock refers to the totality of reactions to new people and settings which
result in ineffective behaviors. Cultural shock may be experienced by either visitors or
their hosts.  Cultural arrogance is defined as the continued practice of following one’s
own cultural rules while disregarding the feelings and perspectives of the host
community.  Tourist behaviors that breaking known morale, religious or social codes
are example of continuing arrogance on the part of the visitors. Obstacles to Socio-
cultural Understanding

Tourism Economic Impact

The economic importance of tourism to a destination is commonly underappreciated and extends
well beyond core hospitality and transportation sectors. Tourism Economics offers a solution to
destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and to industry associations that marries rigorous
methodology and compelling communication to raise the profile of tourism as an economic engine.

Our approach combines visitor survey and industry data to provide maximum credibility and to
ensure no component of tourism activity is overlooked.

Tourism Economics' impact models also capture the critical secondary benefits to the tourism
supply chain and the economic gains through the local spending of tourism wages.

This provides a comprehensive view of tourism-generated sales, production, employment, wages,

and taxes. But the best research is only as good as its communication. Our clients enjoy a
presentation style of clear and compelling narrative, charts, tables, and maps. In this way, the
message of tourism's importance is clearly conveyed and our clients' objectives are realized.

Our staff has completed nearly one hundred tourism economic impact studies for cities, states,
regions, and countries across the world. We have also assessed the impacts of particular sectors
such as aviation, film, and cruising.

Our team possesses particular experience developing Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs) as ratified
by the UN as the global standard for measuring the economic value of tourism. Our staff has
implemented Tourism Satellite Account research for over two-dozen clients over the past decade,
significantly raising the profile and understanding of tourism's role in the economy.

Economic Impacts of Tourism Daniel J. Stynes 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 X jobs in an area or that a festival
or special event generated Y million dollars in sales or income in a community. “Multiplier
effects” are often cited to capture secondary effects of tourism spending and show the
wide range of sectors in a community that may benefit from tourism. Tourism’s economic
benefits are touted by the industry for a variety of reasons. Claims of tourism’s economic
significance give the industry greater respect among the business community, public
officials, and the public in general. This often translates into decisions or public policies
that are favorable to tourism. Community support is important for tourism, as it is an
activity that affects the entire community. Tourism businesses depend extensively on each
other as well as on other businesses, government and residents of the local community.
Economic benefits and costs of tourism reach virtually everyone in the region in one way
or another. Economic impact analyses provide tangible estimates of these economic
interdependencies and a better understanding of the role and importance of tourism in a
region’s economy. Tourism activity also involves economic costs, including the direct costs
incurred by tourism businesses, government costs for infrastructure to better serve
tourists, as well as congestion and related costs borne by individuals in the community.
Community decisions over tourism often involve debates between industry proponents
touting tourism’s economic impacts (benefits) and detractors emphasizing tourism’s costs.
Sound decisions rest on a balanced and objective assessment of both benefits and costs
and an understanding of who benefits from tourism and who pays for it. Tourism’s
economic impacts are therefore an important consideration in state, regional and
community planning and economic development. Economic impacts are also important
factors in marketing and management decisions. Communities therefore need to
understand the relative importance of tourism to their region, including tourism’s
contribution to economic activity in the area. A variety of methods, ranging from pure
guesswork to complex mathematical models, are used to estimate tourism’s economic
impacts. Studies vary extensively in quality and accuracy, as well as which aspects of
tourism are included. Technical reports often are filled with economic terms and methods
that non-economists do not understand. On the other hand, media coverage of these
studies tend to oversimplify and frequently misinterpret the results, leaving decision
makers and the general public with a sometimes distorted and incomplete understanding
of tourism’s economic effects. How can the average person understand these studies
sufficiently to separate good studies from bad ones and make informed choices? The
purpose of this bulletin is to present a systematic introduction to economic impact
concepts and methods. The presentation is written for tourism industry analysts and public
officials, who would like to better understand, evaluate, or possibly conduct an economic
impact assessment. The bulletin is organized around ten basic questions that either are
asked or should be asked about the economic impacts of tourism.

https://msu.edu/course/prr/840/econimpact/pdf/ecimpvol1.pdf

http://www.ecoholidaying.co.uk/negativeeffectstourismenvironmentalaspects.html

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nificacio/emo_informes/emo_fullturisme_noticies/emo_numero11/emo_impactes_turisme
/

http://www.slideshare.net/ejaysamson/sociocultural-impacts-of-tourism]

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