Tourism in EXTREME environments

Tourism benefits:
Employment for locals (Tour guide, waiters taxi drivers)

Multiplier effect (waitress goes to beauty parlor who goes to travel)

o Even though the amount decreases, more people are benefiting
o Helps the whole economy

Foreign exchange (,$,)

Culture (preservation of culture)

o Helps to keep local culture alive because the tourist like to see
different cultures (tourist attraction)
o The locals have to preserve the local traditions, customs and heritage
sites to boost tourism

Environment (preservation of nature)

o Safaris in Africa
o Locals encouraged to preserve the environment (look after wildlife) so
that it would increase the chance of tourism
o Natural reserves instead of hunting ground (conservation areas)

Tourism consequences:
Economic
o Prices increase as the number of tourist increases (inflation)
o Large tourism agencies are based in UK or USA, so much of the money
goes overseas, remitted does not stay in the country
o Poorly paid jobs for locals (waiters) while the managers are American
o More products are geared towards tourist

Socio-Cultural
o Lost of local cultures and traditions due to the influx of tourists
o Rise of fake culture (Belly dancing in Dubai)
o Racism and Discrimination
o Crime, vandalism, inappropriate behavior (drunk behavior/ religious
places)
o Overcrowding
o Local children leave school to beg for money (decreases literacy rate)
o Some tourists give the locals presents but presents encourage locals
to rely on tourists. In appropriate presents e.g. t-shirts lost of culture

Environmental
o Tourist litter

Tourism in EXTREME environments

o Destruction of plants (wildlife disturbed)

o More buses, transportation infrastructure, more traffic, leads to
atmospheric pollution
o Tourists waste water Ecological footprint
Desert tourism
Benefits for tour companies:
As tourism increases, there is a higher demand for tour companies. So more
people are employed which allows for the expansion of tour companies.

Tourism in EXTREME environments

Hot, Arid environments

Sustainable tourism in Namibia
Questions:
How important is tourism to Namibia?
Since its independence in 1990, Namibias tourism economy has steadily
increased from 200,000 tourists in 1990 to 1,100,000 tourists in 2008. Tourism
has encouraged the locals to protect and preserve their natural environment as
protected areas hold approximately 40% of the wildlife in Namibia. Furthermore,
tourism accounts of 13.9% of Namibias overall GDP and also employs 17.8% of
the working population. Tourism is of a high importance in the Namibian economy
due to its potential for growth as its annual growth is 7.9%. 39% of GDP is
contributed from the tourism sector.
Referring to Figure 7.26, suggest reasons for the seasonal pattern of
international tourist arrivals in Namibia. (p.186)
During the hot season and flash floods in which temperatures can reach up to
40C, there are less tourists as tourist prefer sunshine and cool weather. During
the European summer holidays of June, July and August, there is low rainfall and
relatively cool temperatures. During the South African Christmas holidays, the
temperatures are high but there is still less rainfall than in January to February.
Referring to Figure 7.28, identify the aspects of this tourist
accommodation that conform to principles of responsible practice.
(How is it sustainable?)
Damaraland, Namibia
In 1996, Damaraland was set up by western operator Wilderness Safaris but run
by the locals in Damara. Damaraland Camp is an example of community-based
tourism run by the local people of Damara. En-suite tents are built on wooden
platforms in Damara instead of massive concrete buildings as these wooden
platforms can be removed without damaging the natural environment. The dining
area is constructed from local stone and canvas while the mini-gorge acts as a
plunge pool for the guests. This way, the natural environment is kept intact while
encouraging tourism which ensures its sustainability in the future. Damaraland is
also able to sustain itself without donor funding, as large funds are not required.
Consequently, the profits made are being directed towards mobile clinics,
educational materials, running water and anti-poaching patrols. Most of the staff
in Damaraland are from nearby communities and trained by the Wilderness
Safaris organization. As a result, Wilderness Safaris puts 10% of its profits directly
back into those communities. Since the construction of Damaraland in 1996, the
populations in the wildlife conservatory have doubled.
Explain how tourism in Namibia is sustainable or could be made
sustainable.
Namibia has three government bodies that are responsible for the development of
tourism in Namibia while ensuring that the natural environment is not being

Tourism in EXTREME environments

damaged. These three bodies ensure that tourism in Namibia is sustainable. Even
though camps such as Damaraland has been constructed, currently, it is still the
locals who are preserving the natural environment, making tourism sustainable.
The locals have yet to do their part. Thus, the UNEP has encouraged tourist to be
aware of the overconsumption of resources as well as to be careful not to damage
the environment and wildlife. P.187
Opportunities and challenges posed by tourism in one type of extreme
environment
Chamonix, France
Scenery, natural environment
Things to do all year long, for the entire family
Golf, snow boarding, camping, ski, hiking, mountain climbing, rafting, food,
spas, food and drink, night life, train, local villages, paragliding, biking, tight
rope walking, ski jumping
The Final Call

Challenges:
Avalanches are the major problems
High death toll
Tourism increases size of village, increase chance of getting hit by an
avalanche, larger target
1999 Avalanche
All chalets were destroyed

What is an avalanche?
A sudden downhill mass movement of snow, ice and/or rock.
How are they caused?
Occurs when the weight/mass of material is sufficient to overcome friction
causing the dbris to descend at considerable speeds under the force of
gravity. The average speed of avalanches is between 40-60km/h.
Avalanches cannot be predicated. (Major environmental hazard in Alpine
areas). Heavy snowfall compressing and adding weight to earlier falls
accompanied by steep slopes over 25 which reduces stability (friction can
be overcome) increases the chance of avalanche. A sudden increase in
temperature, especially on south-facing slopes. Deforestation occurs to
accommodate to the growth of tourism which reduces slope stability in the
Alps. Vibrations triggered by off-piste skiers, nearby traffic and by plate
tectonic movements.

Tourism in EXTREME environments

Very long, cold and dry winters, followed by sudden heavy snowfall in
spring. The earlier falls will turn into ice which is easy to slide over snow.

How can these effects be reduced? (avalanche management schemes)

Reafforestation: Trees can be replanted in avalanche prone areas as they
can reduce damage by up to 50%
Avalanche sheds to protect roads and railways and other transportation
structures
Bazoukas and mortars are used for the controlled and safe release of
avalanches.
Early warning system to try to predict time and location of any avalanche
The occurrence of the avalanche (January-March) is predictable but not the
location
Montroc Avalanche

February 1999. Heavy snowfall and strong winds (120mph), piling snow up. 12
people including 4 small children. Had been living in places thought to be safe.
Since the village expanded, the chances of being hit by an avalanche increased.