2

TOURISM IMPACT ON SOCIETY AND THE

ENVIRONMENT
1 CAREERS IN TOURISM
1.1 Employment in tourism
1.2 Job application – How to get a job
2 ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Positive effects of Tourism on the Environment
2.2 Negative effects of Tourism on the Environment
2.2.1 Effects on Natural Environment
2.2.2 Effects on Built Environment
2.2.3 Impact on Socio-Cultural Environment
3 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
3.1 Sustainable Development
3.2 Sustainable Tourism
3.3 Ecotourism

Questions and Topics for Discussion

1. Explain the labour-intensive nature of tourism.

2. How is tourism similar to most other service industries?
3. What types of professional and practical skills are required in tourism?
4. What qualifications are needed for different jobs in tourism?
5. Explain the principles of sustainable tourism development.
6. In what ways can tourism have an impact on the environment?
7. Identify the positive environmental impacts that may result from tourism.
8. What criteria should ecotourism fulfil?
9. Explain the sociocultural effects of tourism on indigenous populations and tourists.
1 CAREERS IN TOURISM

1.1 Employment in tourism

The main positive economic impacts of tourism relate to foreign exchange earnings, contributions to
government revenues, and generation of employment and business opportunities.
The rapid expansion of international tourism has led to significant employment creation. Tourism can
generate jobs directly through hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, taxis, and souvenir sales, and
indirectly through the supply of goods and services needed by tourism-related businesses.
The hotels, catering and tourism sector is among the top-job creating sectors because of its labour
intensive nature (it employs a higher proportion of people in comparison to the number it serves)
and the significant multiplier effect on employment in other related sectors.
However, the sector has a reputation of poor working conditions due to a number of factors: it is a
fragmented industry with a majority of employers small and medium sized enterprises with low
union density, and work characterized by low wages and low levels of skill requirements, shift and
night work and seasonality.

Tourism industries are largely labour intensive and provide jobs for many people. The range of jobs is
very wide, from unskilled, like a dish washer in a restaurant to semi-skilled, such as a waiter or a
chambermaid to skilled, like a travel agent or a statistician. So they include well trained
professionals, but also a large number of workers with difficulties to find a job elsewhere, such as
newcomers to the labour market (young people and migrants), women with family responsibilities
who can only work part time, and workers with little qualification in general. Tourism provides
working people with income and experience, and therefore contributes to their social inclusion and
personal development.

Developments in technology are affecting labour opportunities in employment. Computer

reservation systems are replacing manual systems and as a result fewer agents are working in airlines
and hotel chains. The increasing use of the Internet for reservations has also reduced numbers of
travel agencies are airline offices. Call centres are replacing branches, often situated in low-wage
countries. The success of the tourism industry relies on the supply of a skilled labour force to serve
the needs of the tourists.

1.2 Job application – How to get a job

Whether you are looking for your very first job, switching careers, or re-entering the job market after
an extended absence finding a job requires two main tasks: understanding yourself and
understanding the job market.

When you're looking for work, spread your search as wide as possible. There are many places to look:
 the internet
 newspapers
 job centres
 trade journal/ trade magazines
 networking – word of mouth
 recruitment agencies
 job fairs
It is important to take the time to write targeted CVs and cover letters that specifically link your
qualifications to the hiring criteria for the jobs you are applying for. Research the company before
you go for the interview, dress appropriately, practice answering and asking interview questions, and
make a concerted effort to impress the interviewer with your skills, experience, confidence, and
expertise.

Common interview questions for college graduates

1. Why did you choose to make an application to our company?

2. Describe your ideal job.
3. What can you offer us?
4. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
5. What skills have you developed?
6. How has your college experience prepared you for a business career?
7. What did you enjoy most about your last employment?
8. Why should we hire you rather than another candidate?
9. Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your initiative?
10. Why did you select your college or university?
11. What do you know about our company (product or service)?
12. Have you ever worked to deadlines? When?
13. How do you feel about working overtime?
14. How do you feel about travel?
15. What problems have you solved in your previous positions?
16. Are you willing to work flexitime?
17. Define success and failure.
18. How did you get along with your former professors (supervisors and co-workers)?
19. Do you have any computer experience?
20. Have you ever spoken to a group of people? How large?
2 ENVIRONMENT
Environment is mostly considered under three headings: natural, built and cultural.
 The natural environment includes air, water, flora, fauna, soil, natural landscape and
climate.
 The built environment includes urban fabric, buildings, monuments, infrastructure, parks,
landscapes and open spaces.
 The cultural environment includes values, beliefs, moral, behaviour, arts and history of
communities.

The environmental problems can be classified into two types: resource depletion problem: renewable
and non-renewable and pollution problems.

The nature of environmental problems:

Problems Local Global

Resource depletion

- Renewable - Deforestation - Depletion of fish stocks in

international waters
- Non-renewable - Depletion of ozone layer
- Coal mining
Environmental
pollution
- smog - acid rain
- Air - ground and surface water - industrial pollution of international
- Water contamination waters and rivers flowing across
countries

Environment performs the following functions:

 supplier of natural goods such as beautiful landscape, mountains, lakes and the like,
forming the core of the tourism product;
 provider of natural resources used to create economic goods.

The peculiar feature of tourism is that it offers environment as a part of its product. Therefore, the
quality of the tourism product is dependent on quality of environment to a larger extent.

Tourism leaves both positive and negative effects on the environment.

2.1 Positive effects of Tourism on the Environment

 Economic benefits to the society: flow in the form of foreign exchange earnings, direct and
indirect employment opportunities created due to the development of tourism and the
associated infrastructure, and the resultant income multiplier effects. It also leads to increased
government revenues in the form of various kinds of taxes levied on tourism activities.
 Improvement and preservation of parks and cultural heritage properties (e.g. national parks)
 The tourism activities also led to better resource availability for construction of infrastructure
and maintenance of heritage properties and parks due to combined effect of three factors. First,
as the historical monuments, nature parks and cultural traditions are projected to attract
 tourists, there is an increased allocation of resources for their maintenance and publicity from
the government.
 Tourism also promotes cross-cultural exchanges with tourists and resident population learning
more about each other’s culture.

2.2 Negative effects of Tourism on the Environment

2.2.1 Effects on Natural Environment

The negative impacts can be studied into three classifications namely, natural, built, and cultural
environment.

The effects of tourism activity on ecological balance of the area can be studied in the following sub-
heads:

o effects due to tourism infrastructure,

o effects due to tourists.

Effects due to tourism infrastructure

The most significant source of tourism-induced impacts on ecosystems is the spread of tourism and
recreation infrastructure. It not only puts strain on already scarce land, but also, due to digging and
increased extraction of local building materials, causes irreversible damages to the landscape.
Creation of tourism infrastructure requires a lot of space, which is often provided at the expense of
ecosystems. Both built infrastructure as well as tourist facilities and activities are created replacing
the natural vegetation.

The intrusion of mass tourism has been facilitated by the construction of paved roads that have the
capacity to bring thousands of tourists. It is believed that this single factor has caused problems of air
pollution, noise, traffic jams, dust, and devastation of vegetative cover resulting in erosion.

The extent of damage depends on the type of activity being promoted in the area. However, the
intensity of damage may depend on the carrying capacity of the area.

Effects due to tourists

The vegetation cover can also be damaged due to trampling by walkers or crushing by tourist
vehicles. Hikers, trackers and mountaineers approach the areas left by roads and off road traffic.
They can penetrate into the places inaccessible by mechanical means. The damages caused due to
this activity may be of four types namely: soil erosion caused due to trampling, deforestation caused
due to fuel requirements, threat to wildlife, and threat to cultures.

Effects on Pollution

The pollution caused by the industry is of four types: water, air, noise pollution, and disposal of
wastes.

Water pollution occurs due to the discharge of untreated water, inorganic and organic wastes and
sewage. One of the major causes of water pollution caused by tourism industry is discharge or
dumping of oil, petrol, inorganic and organic wastes by hotel units and means of water transport. The
other main reasons for water pollution are fertilizers and nutrients used for maintenance of lawns
and golf courses and tourist cruises, ships and boats. In many coastal waters the source of water
pollution are hotels and resorts that dump raw or inadequately treated sewage.

Though the industry is generally believed to be a smokeless industry, air pollution can accompany
tourism developments in a number of ways:
 during the construction of buildings and other tourist facilities and associated infrastructure
 burning of fossil fuels for providing power and heating
 the form of transportation used by the tourists – air, water, road

Noise pollution occurs mainly due to increased traffic, (water) sport activities, loud tourists and
music in restaurants and discos.

the problem of littering and solid waste disposal reaches crisis proportions in areas frequented by the
tourist.

Effects on Erosion

The most significant physical damage to soils in fragile environments, such as deserts, dry-lands and
mountains is caused due to three reasons:
 the construction of tourist infrastructure
 tourist activities: camping, trekking and mountaineering causing trampling leading to soil
erosion
 the associated increase in transport activities and construction of roads causing soil damages.

Visual Effects

The visual impact may be caused due to three reasons:

 littering (abandoned aluminium cans, oxygen bottles, and foodstuff)
 sewage
 poorly sited and constructed buildings

2.2.2 Effects on Built Environment

The effects of tourism on built environment can be classified into two types. These are effects on:
 architectural facade
 change of land use

Mass tourism development is generally associated with poorly designed, sited and constructed
buildings and other facilities. The problem becomes very complex in heritage towns where there is a
risk of change of the architectural facade of the towns. The use of indigenous and natural building
materials to the extent possible should be used. Ensuring a suitable landscaping is equally important.
This may be absolutely required in rural resorts and hotel sin order to offer an environment, which
integrates with the local setting.

Large-scale construction of infrastructure and tourist facilities leads to change of land use in the area,
which may be harmful for the local ecological balance (turning agricultural areas into tourism areas).
However, there can be some positive effects due to changes in land use led by tourism (trekking
routes).
2.2.3 Impact on Socio-Cultural Environment

The impact of tourism development on socio-cultural environment can be studied under two
classifications: impacts on tourists and on the host population.

Impacts on Tourists

The major impact on tourists that emerges is on the quality of recreational experience. There is a
degree of intensity of use of recreational resources, which the tourists are willing to accept.
Overcrowding may force some people to consider the experience no longer worth having, that is the
repeat visits will fall substantially.

Impacts on the Host Population

It has both positive and negative consequences.

Positive consequences of tourism:

 creating employment and wealth

 providing facilities which meet the host community’s needs
 preserving local traditions and customs

Negative consequences of tourism:

 decline in traditions
 increase in crime rates
 social conflicts
 crowding
 environmental deterioration
 loss of identity of traditional cultures - leading to commercialism

3 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

The need for sustainability has emerged with the rebirth of environmentalism.

3.1 Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
There are many differences on definitions of sustainable development, the focus is essentially is on
growth equity and environment. There are several sub issues involved in sustainable development.
The major points are the following:
 the role of economic growth in promoting human well-being
 the impact and importance of human population growth
 the effective existence of environmental limits of growth
  the sustainability of natural resources with human made capital created through economic
growth and technological innovations
 the differential interpretation of criticality of various components of the natural resource
base and, therefore, the potential for substitution
 the ability of technologies to decouple economic growth and unwanted environmental side
effects
 the meaning of the value attributed to the natural world and the rights of non-human
species.

3.2 Sustainable Tourism

The term has been introduced in the context of the wider debate about environmental sustainability.
The current interpretations involve the following issues and should be considered for small- and large
scale tourism:

 meeting the needs and wants of the host community in terms of improved living standards,
and quality of life both in short and long term,
 satisfying the demands of a growing number of tourists and of the tourism industry and to
continue to attract them in order to fulfil the first aim,
 safeguard the environmental resource base of tourism, encompassing natural, built, and
cultural components in order to achieve both of the preceding aims,
 Maintaining or enhancing the competitiveness and viability of the tourism industry.

3.3 Ecotourism

World Tourism Organisation (1993) defines Ecotourism as:

’Tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified
object of studying, admiring and enjoying scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as
any existing cultural aspects (both of the past and the present) found in the areas.’

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural
areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass)
tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveller, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to
directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to
foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s ecotourism has been
considered a critical endeavour by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience
destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Generally, ecotourism deals with living
parts of the natural environments. Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal
growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where
flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is intended to offer
tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater
appreciation of our natural habitats.

There are seven characteristics of ecotourism:

 Involves travel to natural destinations
 Minimizes impact
 Builds environmental awareness
 Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
 Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
 Respects local culture
 Supports human rights and democratic movements such as:
o conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem
protection
o promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local
populations
o sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous
peoples by having their informed consent and participation in the
management of ecotourism enterprises
o tourism to unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the
environment being a primary concern.
o minimization of tourism's own environmental impact
o affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury
o local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions
o local people benefit from this form of tourism economically, often more than
mass tourism
Sample European CV format
(retrieved from http://www.cedefop.eu.int/download/transparency/cv_format_en.doc)

EUROPEAN
CURRICULUM VITAE
FORMAT

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name [ SURNAME, other name(s) ]

Address [ House number, street name, postcode, city, country ]
Telephone
Fax
E-mail

Nationality

Date of birth [ Day, month, year ]

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Dates (from – to) [ Add separate entries for each relevant post occupied, starting with the most recent. ]
• Name and address of employer
• Type of business or sector
• Occupation or position held
• Main activities and responsibilities

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Dates (from – to) [ Add separate entries for each relevant course you have completed, starting with the most
recent. ]
• Name and type of organisation
providing education and training
• Principal subjects/occupational
skills covered
• Title of qualification awarded
• Level in national classification
(if appropriate)
 PERSONAL SKILLS
AND COMPETENCES
Acquired in the course of life and career
but not necessarily covered by formal
certificates and diplomas.

MOTHER TONGUE [ Specify mother tongue ]

OTHER LANGUAGES
[ Specify language ]
• Reading skills [ Indicate level: excellent, good, basic. ]
• Writing skills [ Indicate level: excellent, good, basic. ]
• Verbal skills [ Indicate level: excellent, good, basic. ]

SOCIAL SKILLS [ Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired. ]
AND COMPETENCES
Living and working with other people, in
multicultural environments, in positions
where communication is important and
situations where teamwork is essential
(for example culture and sports), etc.

ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS [ Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired. ]
AND COMPETENCES
Coordination and administration of
people, projects and budgets; at work, in
voluntary work (for example culture and
sports) and at home, etc.

TECHNICAL SKILLS [ Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired. ]
AND COMPETENCES
With computers, specific kinds of
equipment, machinery, etc.

ARTISTIC SKILLS [ Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired. ]
AND COMPETENCES
Music, writing, design, etc.

OTHER SKILLS [ Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired. ]
AND COMPETENCES
Competences not mentioned above.

DRIVING LICENCE(S)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION [ Include here any other information that may be relevant, for example contact persons,
references, etc. ]

ANNEXES [ List any attached annexes. ]

Sample CV

Anita Szeles

4002 Debrecen

Cívis köz 73.

Home:+ 36 52 317 4532

Mobile: +36 70 213 996

szelesa@emailbox.hu

OBJECTIVE

A challenging position within the travel industry.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

1. Ten years of experience in the travel industry.

2. Thorough knowledge of reservation systems and transactions processing, including Sabre.
3. Strong customer service skills, with the ability to diffuse difficult situations.
4. Proficient in general office duties, including Microsoft Office and QuickBooks Accounting.

EXPERIENCE

September 1996 - Present

Airticketmaster, Budapest
                         Support Agent

1. Issue tickets and ensure correct formatting/dates of tickets processed

2. Book hotel and rental car reservations for various corporate clients
3. Use Sabre and other on-line engines to process tickets
4. Create packages that are unique to Airticketmaster
5. Respond to customer service requests and assist travellers with all needs

March 1994 – September 1996           

Bluedanube River Cruises, Budapest

            Sales Representative

1. Booked travel on Hungary’s highest rated luxury river cruise line

2. Assisted discerning guests choose cabin accommodation
3. Provided corporate booking services to company sales groups
4. Worked with a partner travel agency to arrange special packages
5. Assisted with the managing of the office
February 1990 – March 1999          

Civis Tours, Debrecen

            Tour Guide

1. Acted as bus tour guide for a tour company in Debrecen

2. Presented city information to domestic and international tourists as well as student groups
3. Learned Spanish as a second language as part of the job training
4. Assisted the Office Manager with general duties

EDUCATION

Budapest Business School, 1990

Course for Advanced Tourism Management 1989
(coursework in marketing completed)

Vocational Secondary School for Foreign Trade, Debrecen 1985

REFERENCES

Furnished upon request.

Covering letter
12, Szilasligeti fasor
1134 Budapest
Hungary
36 1 234 567

12 November 2005
Mr. John Smith, Director
Marketing and Public Relations
National Non-Profit Association
1234 Farnam Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68112

Dear Mr. Smith

I am applying for the Marketing/Public Relations Intern position advertised in the 44 issue of the Budapest
Business Journal.  As shown in the enclosed resume, I have a strong academic background in Business
Administration and expect to graduate in January 2006.

My current work as Advertising Coordinator for our monthly student newspaper has given me firsthand
experience in the challenges associated with the development and implementation of a successful
marketing/advertising campaign.  In addition, I have excellent creative writing and communication skills, as
demonstrated by my successful experience in the publication of a weekly in-house newsletter during my
internship at Pesti Est (What’s on in Budapest?).

This background, combined with over five years of general business experience, has given me a unique
perspective that would be particularly valuable in meeting the responsibilities of this position, as described in
your advertisement.  I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this position and my
qualifications in more detail and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely
 
 Tamás Bogáti
Tamás Bogáti

Enclosure
Letter of application
17 Fűzfa utca
Budapest
Mr G Brown 1025
HR manager
Insightexpress Inc.
Buda Business Center
Budapest
1027, Budapest
Kapás u. 11-15

6 October 2005

Dear Mr Brown

I am writing in response to your recent advertisement in the Budapest Business Journal for a
trainee market research analyst. I am in the final year of a four year degree course in
International Marketing at the Budapest Business School and will graduate in June 2006.

As you can see from my enclosed CV, I have gained considerable knowledge and experience
of market research and besides my native Hungarian, I also speak English fluently, which I
hope would be an asset to an international firm like Insightexpress. During my studies I have
chosen options in both Marketing and Market Research and, in my final year, I undertook an
ambitious and demanding research project that looked at the differences between British and
Hungarian consumers’ purchasing habits. This involved travel, interviews, data collection
and analysis; an important introduction to some of the key features of a career in market
research. My vacation job, with TNS Market Research Company, confirmed my commitment
to this career and gave me additional practical experience.

As well as having relevant knowledge and experience, I believe I possess the personal
qualities that you ask for in your advertisement. I have shown imagination and creativity,
especially when trying to stimulate bored Hungarian business executives and sell canoeing
trips to sceptical students. I am a good communicator and have seized every opportunity to
give presentations both inside and outside University. I have the analytical skills you seek,
demonstrated by a good Maths A level, relevant undergraduate courses and a demanding and
responsible vacation job. Finally, I have shown myself to be motivated by business and want
to be part of a successful international organisation.

To learn more about market research, I have attended careers fairs, talked to practitioners and
read recruitment brochures. I first learnt of Insightexpress Inc at an evening presentation at
the Tourism Expo 2005 and I was impressed with the enthusiasm of the staff I met. But what
made me determined to apply was your absolute commitment to training and development,
which, as I have learnt from my degree, are the prerequisites of a growing business.
I am available for work from next January and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely

Gabriella Hegyi
Hegyi Gabriella (Miss)
Encl: CV
Application for internship
H-1083 Budapest
Múzeum krt. 23.
Hungary
hevesili@emailbox.hu

September 17, 2005

Stacey’s Restaurant
26 London Street
Paddington
London, W2 1HH

Subject: Letter of Application for Internship

To Whom It May Concern

I was first informed about the possibility of internship at Stacy’s Restaurant as a catering
student from my instructor. Dr. Evelyn Mentes, Professor of Nutritional Sciences, urged me
to consider applying for this great opportunity. During my years both at a secondary school
and college, I have obtained experience in all areas of food preparation and for my work
placement in the summer of 2006 I would like to work at a catering establishment which can
further stimulate my professional development.
I am currently in the final year of my studies at the Budapest Business School pursuing a
Bachelor’s Degree in Catering and Hotel Management. During my graduate studies I have
taken numerous catering-related courses and many electives that have afforded me with the
necessary skills to work in the catering industry. These courses have provided specific skills
and training to allow me to work in hotels, restaurants, catering, consultancy, casinos,
events facilities such as exhibition spaces, marketing, tourism product management, tour
operators, airlines and regional tourism organisations.
Last summer I worked for the Number One Café, the popular biker’s catering establishment
in London. As a member of a professional team, I had to plan, prepare, set up and provide
quality service in all areas of food production for lunch and dinner menu items and specials
in accordance with standards and specifications. My work also involved reading and
following menus and recipes and to carry out basic mathematical calculations. I was able to
put into practice many things that I learned through my studies.
I am enclosing a copy of my curriculum vitae, as you requested in your advertisement. I have
also enclosed a copy of the names and phone numbers of my referees as requested, and
they will be happy to have you contact them at your convenience.
I hope very much that you will offer me the opportunity of an interview. You can reach me
by telephone at home (303/555-3456) in the afternoons after five; if you call earlier, I do
have an answering machine on which you can leave a message, and I will return your call
promptly. Please let me know if I can provide any further information.

Sincerely,

Lili Heves
Lili Heves (Miss)

Enclosure
Letter of resignation

June 2, 2005

Alfred Shrimpton

Director, Marketing

Tra-Well International Inc.

1085 Budapest

Rákóczi út 1-3.

Dear Mr Shrimpton

This is to advise you that I have accepted the position of Marketing Manager, with Help-Me-Go
Marketing Ltd, in their newly opened Budapest office. Accordingly, please regard this as my official
letter of resignation.

My last day of work here will be June 28, 2005. This will give me three full weeks from next Monday
to complete the current marketing program design that I have recently been putting the finishing
touches to. In addition, during this period I will be able to bring both you, and my deputy Peter
Sebes, up-to-speed on all of the operations and outstanding issues in my department.

I am very much looking forward to the professional challenge being offered to me by Help-Me-Go
Marketing Ltd, which as you know, is the market leader in its field. Incidentally, during the recruiting
process, the Help-Me-Go people were very impressed with the experience and knowledge that I had
gained here at Tra-Well International Inc. over the past five years.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you as my supervisor, as well as to my

many friends and colleagues at Tra-Well International Inc. I have truly enjoyed my years working with
all of you, and am grateful for the many learning and development I was given over the years.

I wish all of you at Tra-Well International Inc. continued success.

Sincerely

Elek Hazay

Elek Hazay