Impacts of Tourism on Environment

PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN
MICRO PERSPECTIVE OF TOURISM AND

HOSPITALITY (THC1)
MODULE 7. IMPACTS OF TOURISM

Lesson 2. Impacts of Tourism in the Environment
PhilCST
An impact represents a long-term change. A ball of

chewed gum spat out by one tourist on city sidewalk will not be
that noticeable. The gum could he easily broken down by
natural processes as well. However, when the number of tourists
spitting out chewed gum on the pavement increases, they
become very obvious. When the gum is thrown more frequently,
nature will not be able to break them down soon enough.
Therefore, an impact could be caused by the imbalance
between the tourists' waste generation and the nature's
capacity to break them down.
Tourism development has an effect on wildlife and plants,
environmental quality, topography, and even climate change.
PhilCST
Negative Impacts of Tourism on the

Environment
• Land Degradation
• Wastes
• Pollution
• Climate Change
• Water Stress
• Habitat Fragmentation
• Animal Species Extinction
• Impacts on Coral Reefs
• Beach Encroachment and Crowding
PhilCST
Land Degradation
Tourism can contribute to land degradation through urban
sprawl caused by migration to tourism centers (e.g., Baguio City) and
commercial development of areas adjacent to a tourist attraction.
Uncontrolled migration leads to sudden increases in population, which
can strain social service infrastructure, such as toilets, parks, and health
facilities. Increased number of tourists also causes traffic congestion.
Land may also be degraded due to overdrafting in which
groundwater is extracted beyond the equilibrium yield of the aquifer.
This could happen when several high-rise condominiums are built in a
tourist town (e.g., Tagaytay).
PhilCST
Another cause of land degradation is the build-up of non-

biodegradable trash, such as plastic bottles; loss of biodiversity through
overhunting animal migration caused by human interference;
consumption of animal food products, such as bird's nest and turtle
eggs by tourists; and quarrying to flatten mountains to provide filling
materials for land reclamation projects.
PhilCST
Waste Depletion
Tourists and tourism establishments contribute to environmental
degradation through the production of wastes. Many times, this is due to
careless behavior or utter disregard for the environment. Sometimes, it is
due to the lack of facilities and trash bins in parks, camp sites, beach resorts,
and other areas frequented by tourists.
Waste products include biodegradable wastes, such as food waste,
leftover food by customers, kitchen food scraps, spoiled food, grey water
from bathing and from swimming pools, human waste, sewage sludge,
coffee wastewater, and paper products from business operations. Improper
disposal of such wastes can lead to visual pollution and may cause health
problems, as decomposing food items attract rats, flies, and cockroaches
that can transmit harmful germs to humans or other animals.
PhilCST
Solid waste products that are not disposed of properly in

designated areas turn into litter. The most common types of litter are
plastic bottles, cigarette butts, aluminum foil packaging, discarded
cans, disposable lighters, and disposable diapers. Cigarette butts can
take from five years to 400 years to completely disintegrate. These
solid waste materials can block drainage pipes, and cause flooding in
the urban centers. When left at beach resorts, they eventually end up
in the seas and oceans, and probably combine with a huge floating
junk in the Pacific Ocean. Plastic products have been found in the
carcasses of birds, turtles, whales, and other marine animals which
mistake them for food.
PhilCST
Pollution
The major forms of pollution are air, water, light, visual, and
noise pollution.
PhilCST
Air pollution is caused by the release of chemicals and

particulates into the atmosphere. Tourism contributes to the
production of greenhouse gases (GHG) through exhaust from
cars, buses, and airplanes used by tourists and other travelers.
Transportation is responsible for 90% of tourism-produced
emissions. A single trans-Atlantic return flight emits the
equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (730 kg) produced by a
household yearly in a country like Vietnam (UN Stats), or almost
half the annual CO₂ production the average person. Traditional
travels on All Saints Day or Holy Week in the Philippines cause
traffic jams that result in far heavier gas per vehicle than on
average days.
PhilCST
Emissions
These gases include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, CFCs, and nitrogen
oxides. The most voluminous of these is carbon dioxide, which is also the most
effective at trapping the heat radiated by the Earth back into the
atmosphere. The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has
been causing climate change. Some of the manifestations of climate change
are changing seasonal patterns, global warming, and increasing severity of
typhoons. Global warming is also contributing to the melting of alpine glaciers
and the continental ice sheets in the Arctic Ocean and Antartica. This melting
causes sea levels to rise, which leads to the inundation of low-lying small islands
and coastal zones. The other negative effects of GHG emissions are ocean
acidification, intensified heat island effect, and flooding.
PhilCST
Another kind of pollution is light pollution, which according to Globe

at Night (n. d.), is the "excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial light." Light
pollution from tourism can emanate from strong lights from airports, seaports,
beach resorts and hotels, street lights, and neon signage in entertainment
districts. Light pollution can wash out starlight in the night sky, interfere with
astronomical research, cause adverse health effects, and waste energy.
The main sources of light pollution are glare, light trespass, and sky
glow. Glare from unshielded lighting is a public health hazard; it can cause loss
of contrast, sometimes, blinds people temporarily, and makes driving difficult.
Light trespass is unwanted light entering one's property, such as light shining
into a bedroom window. This can cause a person to lose sleep. Sky glow is the
glow effect seen over populated areas, such as metropolitan areas. It is the
combination of all the reflected light and upward-directed light.
PhilCST
Noise pollution includes roadway noise, aircraft noise,

industrial noise, as well as high-intensity sonar. Noise pollution from
tourism may be generated by transportation (airplanes, trains, cars,
and buses), road traffic, appliances (vacuum cleaners), and industrial
equipment. Noise in hotels comes from chatter, air-conditioning units,
power generators, and vacuum cleaners. Constant exposure to noise
can induce hearing loss, stress, and cardiovascular diseases. Noise
makes people talk louder, further increasing the din. Animals may
also avoid noisy habitats.
PhilCST
Visual pollution or the loss of aesthetic appeal is caused by

the presence of eyesores, such as overhead power lines, motorway
billboards, scarred landforms (as from strip mining), open storage of
trash, or litter. Buildings constructed by the coastline can also become
visual polluters by blocking the view of beautiful sunsets or sea views.
Clashing and unfitting architectural styles also contribute to visual
pollution. Vandalism and destruction of geologic formation through
vandalism and erosion were other problems observed in tourist
destinations.
PhilCST
Water pollution is caused by discharging wastewater from

commercial and industrial sources (intentionally or through spills) into
surface waters; discharges of untreated domestic sewage and chemical
contaminants, such as chlorine from treated sewage; release of waste and
contaminants into surface run-off flowing to surface waters (including
urban run-off and agricultural run-off, which may contain chemical
fertilizers and pesticides); waste disposal and leaching into groundwater;
eutrophication and littering.
PhilCST
Climate Change
According to UNEP (n.d.), tourism is linked to climate change as
many aspects of the industry are accompanied by heavy carbon
footprint. With increased leisure activity, tourism industry will be
contributing more to global GHG emissions. CO, emissions from
tourism account for just 5% of global CO₂ emissions. Compared with
the emissions of countries, tourism would be the fifth biggest polluter
worldwide. The emissions produced by tourism of 4-5-week duration
are bigger than the emissions produced by billions of people leaving
and working for one year in industrialized countries or emerging
economies.
PhilCST
By 2035, tourism's contribution to climate change will have grown

considerably. A business-as-usual projection based on anticipated
growth rates in tourist arrivals and the distances travelled by various
means of transport indicate that tourist trips will grow by 179%, and
guest nights will grow by 156%. CO, emissions will increase by about 152%
or more than three times higher than today.
PhilCST
Water
Tourism contributes to natural resource depletion. According to
Tapper, Hadjikakou, Noble, and Jenkinson (2011), countries in the
Caribbean, Mediterranean, and North Africa are suffering severe water
stress caused in part by tourism development. Water scarcity is
attributed partly to tourism-generated pollution, unregulated tourism
development, and population growth and fluctuations during tourism
high seasons.
PhilCST
Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation is frequently caused by humans when native
vegetation is cleared for human activities, which include construction of theme
parks, resorts, hotels, and airports. Reclamation causes animal habitats, which
were once continuous, to become fragmented. This fragmentation results in
decreased area for feeding and breeding by animals. Habitat fragmentation
and destruction cause plants, animals, and other organisms that occupied the
habitat to have a reduced carrying capacity. This can lead to population decline
and possible extinction. Endangered bird species are particularly vulnerable to
habitat loss.
PhilCST
For example, when forests are cleared, animals that depend on

trees, such as monkeys, eventually die from lack of food and
protection from predators. If monkeys cease to exist, endangered
species, like the Philippine eagle will also succumb. Philippine eagles
are extremely rare because they lay only one egg at a time. Endemic
organisms are most affected by habitat destruction, because such
organisms have very specific requirements for their survival that can
only be found within a certain ecosystem. Habitat loss decreases the
range of certain animal populations, which can result in reduced
genetic diversity, which translates into the production of infertile
offspring.
PhilCST
Animal Species Extinction

Tourism can contribute to the extinction of animals in a number of
ways. One is by offering animal products as food. Sea turtle eggs and
meat are sometimes offered as delicacies in the South. In many African
countries, exotic animals known as "bush meat" are also eaten as food.
PhilCST
Incidentally, the exposure to wild animals increases the risk of

transmission of diseases, such as the case of acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (AIDS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS), and avian flu. Contact with primate blood and bodily
fluids during hunting and butchering exposes people to new
viruses, with no known vaccines (UNEP 2007). Between 2000 and
2003, several Ebola outbreaks in African countries were attributed
to the handling of gorilla or chimpanzee carcasses. When
transferred to humans, the viruses could easily be transmitted via
tourism, such as the case of SARS, which quickly spread around the
Pacific Rim in the early 2000s.
PhilCST
Invasive species of plants and animals can be

introduced into an area via tourist transport like ships and
luggage. They become nuisance because they grow in
number in the absence of natural predators in their new
habitats, such as the case of snakes which do not have
natural enemies in Guam. In Seychelles, rats brought in by
ecotourism activities had endangered the island country's
endemic land birds (UNEP 2007).
PhilCST
Tourism Impacts on Coral Reefs

Tourism-related impacts on coral reefs are significant, but they are
also compounded by other impacts that are not easily distinguished from
those of tourism. This does not mean that we must disregard the impacts
of tourism activities. On the contrary, the tourism sector and government
agencies involved in tourism development must try to eliminate or reduce
those impacts that can be controlled, even if there is no 100% proof that a
certain impact is directly related to a tourist activity.
PhilCST
Physical damage of corals, such as breakage and lesions, may be

caused by actions by snorkelers and scuba divers. Motor boating and yachting
may cause physical damage from anchoring and grounding on boats. Fishing
contributes to over-exploitation of reef fish stocks. Tourists who collect shells,
lobsters, conches, or corals are expediting the extinction of these rare species.
Resort development and construction can produce increased sedimentation
and untreated sewage. Maintaining landscapes and gardens in tourist resorts
can produce fertilizer run-off, which can contaminate groundwater supplies,
and add to nutrient enrichment on the shoreline which can lead to algal
blooms. Toxic substances from inappropriate waste disposal can leach to
water. Consumption of certain seafood can result in over-exploitation of high-
priced species, such as snappers, groupers, spiny lobsters, and conches. Demand
for marine souvenirs could also have the disastrous outcome of certain species
of shells, black corals, and turtles to become extinct. Construction artificial
beaches, airport, and marina could increase sedimentation.
PhilCST
Beach Encroachment and Crowding

An impact that has been observed in Boracay was beach
encroachment by resort owners, abetted by beach setbacks that got smaller
and smaller over the years. The mandatory setback from the shoreline for
buildings in the 1970s was 100 meters. However, this has been whittled
down to 25 meters in 1997.
PhilCST
Positive Impacts of Tourism on the

Environment
• Environmental Quality and Infrastructure

Improvement
• Species Regeneration
PhilCST
Environmental Quality and

Infrastructure Improvement
Tourism has the potential to improve environmental
quality in man ways. First, tourism can provide the
incentive to develop land for commercial development.
Examples are theme parks that are located in previously
unproductive mountain areas. Areas, which were once
occupied by informal settlers, such as some parts of
Intramuros, are earmarked for promenade construction
by the Pasig River, which will widen the leisure options of
city residents.
PhilCST
Another positive effect is when abandoned mines are

converted into tourism-oriented facilities, such as a gold
course. Not only does the land become more aesthetically
pleasing but also become more economically productive.
Infrastructure improvement, such as airports, seaports,
expressways, and nautical highway systems not only benefits
tourists but the local population as well. Not long ago,
tourists to Boracay had to hire privately owned bancas to
bring them to the island from the mainland. These days,
there are daily scheduled trips provided by the transport
business.
PhilCST
Moreover, essential amenities, such as piped water,

and electricity have replaced well-drawn water and gas
lamps, respectively (Takashi et al. n.d.). Towns and cities
that eye to be tourist destinations tend to beautify their
areas, such as by constructing beautiful boundary
markers, landscaping, painted fences, and manicured
hedges along the main roads. They also exert effort to
make their places clean and orderly.
PhilCST
Species Regeneration
Infrastructure built for travel and tourism could actually be
designed to enhance or create habitats for animals. For example, in
the construction work of the Kansai International Airport, the
perimeter of the man-made island shoreline was protected by
gently sloping rock-piled embankment. This type of embankment
was a suitable insertion ground for algae and encouraged the
growth of fish and shellfish. During the 1989-1990 monitoring of the
airport's impact, 69 kinds of plants, 271 kinds of animals, and 59
kinds of fishes and shellfishes were observed. Furthermore, certain
kinds of fish and shellfish which previously had not been observed in
the sea area before were found. The airport island is providing a
new living environment for ocean life forms.
PhilCST
- END OF LECTURE -
//dnnhvlr_2k21//

Impacts of Tourism on Environment

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Impacts of Tourism on Environment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PhilCST

PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

MICRO PERSPECTIVE OF TOURISM AND

MODULE 7. IMPACTS OF TOURISM

An impact represents a long-term change. A ball of

Negative Impacts of Tourism on the

Another cause of land degradation is the build-up of non-

Solid waste products that are not disposed of properly in

Air pollution is caused by the release of chemicals and

Another kind of pollution is light pollution, which according to Globe

Noise pollution includes roadway noise, aircraft noise,

Visual pollution or the loss of aesthetic appeal is caused by

Water pollution is caused by discharging wastewater from

By 2035, tourism's contribution to climate change will have grown

For example, when forests are cleared, animals that depend on

Animal Species Extinction

Incidentally, the exposure to wild animals increases the risk of

Invasive species of plants and animals can be

Tourism Impacts on Coral Reefs

Physical damage of corals, such as breakage and lesions, may be

Beach Encroachment and Crowding

Positive Impacts of Tourism on the

• Environmental Quality and Infrastructure

Environmental Quality and

Another positive effect is when abandoned mines are

Moreover, essential amenities, such as piped water,

You might also like