The positive and negative impacts of tourism

Positive impacts of tourism:

 Jobs for local people
 Income for the local economy
 Helps preserve rural services like buses, village shops and post offices
 Increased demand for local food and crafts
 Tourists mainly come to see the scenery and wildlife, so there is pressure to conserve habitats and wildlife

Negative impacts of tourism:

 Damage to the landscape: litter, erosion, fires, disturbance to livestock, vandalism
 Traffic congestion and pollution
 Local goods can become expensive because tourists will pay more
 Shops stock products for tourists and not everyday goods needed by locals
 Demand for holiday homes makes housing too expensive for local people
 Demand for development of more shops and hotels
 Jobs are mainly seasonal, low paid with long hours
Positive Economic Effects of Tourism
Job creation is paramount to any discussion about tourism's positive economic effects. The
2017 Economic Impact Report by the World Travel & Tourism Council indicates that the industry generates one out
of 10 jobs worldwide, growing at a pace that outperforms employment in the global economy for the sixth consecutive
year. The report also indicates that among new jobs, the sector accounts for one in five.
Negative Economic Effects of Tourism
Unexpected and unforeseeable events such as terrorism, political upheaval, impactful weather conditions and natural
disasters can wreak havoc on a region, negatively affecting inbound tourism for considerable periods of time. The
more dependent a destination is on tourism, the more the impact will be felt and the longer recovery will take.
Positive Environmental Effects of Tourism
Education about the reasons for sustainable tourism places a spotlight on responsible planning. As more consumers
become aware of the lasting benefits of "take only pictures, leave only footprints," we can better respect nature and
minimize the impact on any habitat we visit.
Negative Environmental Effects of Tourism
Too many tourists can have a negative impact on the quality of life. Known as overtourism, this phenomenon is
creating a burden in such destinations as rural Patagonia, Chile, and urban Barcelona, Spain. The slopes of Mount
Everest are littered and, in Iceland, tourists far outnumber the resident population. In the U.S. where the top 10 parks
saw more than 44 million visitors in 2016, the National Park Service is looking for ways to protect natural treasures in
light of year-on-year increases in visitor numbers.
Positive Effects of Mega Events
A rotating mega event, such as the Olympics, the World Cup or even a pop-up happening such as a high profile royal
wedding, will benefit a host destination by attracting global attention. Large numbers of spectators visit, injecting
significant cash into the local economy. International sporting events also serve as catalysts for longer term
improvements in stadiums, facilities, transportation and infrastructures. For Athens, Greece, in 2004 and for
Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018, this even meant new airport terminals.
Negative Effects of Mega Events
Those rows of empty arena seats at the London 2012 Olympics have been attributed to the toxic fear of crowds,
disruption and ultra high prices that served to block intentions of locals and travelers. We've all observed that
the legacy left by hosting a major event can hurt a local economy more than it benefits. In years following the 2004
Olympic Games in Athens, venues went unused although the city chalked up a $15 billion price tag. Four years later,
the same thing happened at the far more costly Beijing Olympics. During the 2013 America's Cup, "equal amounts of
civic pride and political controversy" were generated, reported the San Francisco Chronicle, which also reported the
unpaid tab for the host city was $11.5 million.
Positive Social Effects of Tourism
Tourism has long been cited by world leaders as a driver of peace and security through understanding. In the 21st
century, tourism is closely linked to development, embracing a growing number of new destinations – hence new
jobs. Tourism can create civic pride by encouraging cultivation and sharing of local customs, food, traditions and
festivals. Personal exchanges between hosts and guests goes a long way toward fostering better cultural
understanding. Tour operators are focusing on the experiential travel trend, providing more authentic and immersive
experiences for their guests. Open spaces and national parks in countries around the world are good for replenishing
both body and soul, but traffic jams are not a good look.
Negative Social Effects of Tourism
While tourism can help preserve cultures, it can also water them down via commercialization and cookie-cutter
approaches. Airbnb's advertising has attacked the sameness of hotels, suggesting real people's homes in real
neighborhoods as an alternative. There is nothing authentic about a hotel's nightly staging of an indoor Hawaiian luau
featuring acrobatic fire dancers or the "Venetian" gondola that plies a fake canal on the Vegas strip in the shadow of
the "Eiffel Tower." Such features have none of the social benefits that a truly genuine travel experience can produce.