Essay Brochure

STI College
TOURism: The Journey to Exposing Its Negative Impact on the
Environment
Tourism is not always rainbows and butterflies. Although it produces jobs,
boosts the regional economy, and generates revenue for the local government,
uncontrolled conventional tourism threatens numerous natural regions worldwide.
Hence, as stated by Jim Sano of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the greatest challenge for
tourism is its influence on greenhouse gas emissions. It induces increased pollution and
natural habitat loss which causes greater pressure on endangered species.
Based on an article published by Global Development Research Center,
tourism may contribute to pollution in the form of air emissions, noise, solid waste
and littering, sewage, oil, and chemical discharges, and even architectural/visual
pollution. Some reason for this occurrence is the overconsumption of tourists as
well as their irresponsibility as travelers. For instance, as per Forbes calculations,
Caribbean tourism contributed 62 billion kg of CO2 to global emissions in 2018.
Therefore, efficient management of pollution must be imposed.
In addition, the construction of infrastructures and tourism facilities such
as hotels, resorts, and restaurants has led to habitat loss. To actively illustrate,
the Philippines is a well-known hot spot with spectacular beaches, and it is
common to find establishments along the shorelines. Overdevelopment and
widespread paving of coastlines can cause habitat degradation and disturbance
of land-sea interactions such as sea turtle nesting spots. For this reason, travel
and tourism stakeholders should help to protect the ecosystem.
In relation to the preceding paragraph, the loss of habitat directly relates to
the logarithmically increasing numbers of endangered species. Based on the
findings in a study conducted by Steven, R, and Castley, G. (2013), tourism is
said to be threatening 63 critically endangered and endangered bird species
(marine, coastal, and aquatic). These occurrences are common in Polynesia–
Micronesia and the Mediterranean Basin.
On the contrary, Tourism may directly help the conservation of vulnerable
places and habitats. Revenue from park admission fees and other similar
sources can be used to pay for the conservation and maintenance of ecologically
sensitive regions. For example, there is an entrance fee in Philippine Eagle
Center wherein the proceeds are used to assist Philippine Eagle Foundation's in
situ and ex situ conservation efforts.
All things considered, aside from the progressive impact of tourism on the
economy, it has a detrimental effect on the environment as it causes pollution
and natural habitat loss. However, some efforts were being made to protect
wildlife by utilizing the tourism industry. It is important to note that we must not
neglect our responsibilities to the environment as we continue our journey into
different places.
Ref:

(2011, April 28). Philippine Eagle Foundation. Best in Davao. Retrieved May 30,
2022, from https://www.bestindavao.com/park-and-recreations-tourist-
spots-davao/philippine-eagle-foundation/

Environmental impacts of tourism. Environmental Impacts of Tourism. (n.d.).

Retrieved May 30, 2022, from
https://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/envi/one.html

Steven, R, and Castley, G. (2013) Tourism as a threat to critically endangered

and endangered birds ... (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257538470_Tourism_as_a_threat
_to_critically_endangered_and_endangered_birds_Global_patterns_and_tr
ends_in_conservation_hotspots

What has habitat loss got to do with tourism? PATA Crisis Resource Center.
(2020, November 3). Retrieved May 30, 2022, from
https://crc.pata.org/what-has-habitat-loss-got-to-do-with-tourism/

How to Address the Negative Impact of Tourism on the

Environment
The most crucial macroeconomic aspect of tourism-related activities is
that they help emerging economies accomplish three high-priority goals: income
generation, employment, and foreign-exchange earnings. In light of this, its
negative impact on the environment is often overshadowed. According to Zahedi
(2008), it contributed to global warming through unsustainable energy
consumption, transportation, water usage, garbage creation, and other sorts of
aspects. Albeit the fact tourism is an important factor in the progression of the
economy, there should be countermeasures to prevent and mitigate its
repercussion on the environment.
Although the establishment of resorts and hotels generates income and
employment, the government as a lawmaking body should impose laws with
regard to limiting tourism facilities within an area. Camarda and Grassini (2003)
suggested that restrictions on the amount of tourism activities and visitor mobility
inside conservation areas can prevent environmental degradation and preserve
the site's integrity and vitality. Such constraints will not only help to avert further
harm to the ecosystem, but they can also help to mitigate the detrimental effects
on resources.
Adding fuel to the fire, business owners should subscribe to strategic
planning in the construction of infrastructure that would significantly benefit the
environment. For instance, the innovative development of “green building” where
it is designed, constructed, and operated, minimizes, or eliminates harmful
consequences on the climate and natural environment, and can produce
beneficial impacts (World Green Building Council, nd). This ensures resilience as
well as preservation of natural resources and well-being benefits.
For the most vital part, sustainable travel should be promoted as it can
reduce the negative impacts of tourism while also enriching the community in
which it takes place. Tourists should be responsible for their actions and must
have the proper education on how they can curb their carbon footprints.
All things considered, there are ways in which numerous sectors of society
can contribute to the mitigation and prevention of the adverse effects of tourism
on the environment which is also beneficial to the preservation of the ecosystem.
It has been said that lawmakers, business owners, and tourists play a huge role
in this movement. Through the right policy, planning, and education each
economy can have the luxury to enjoy the positive impact of tourism without
worrying about its possible repercussion.

Ref:

Camarda D. and Grassini L. (2003). Environmental impact of tourism. CIHEAM.

(2022, April 4). Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://www.ciheam.org/

World Green Building Council. (n.d.). What is green building? World Green
Building Council Website. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://www.worldgbc.org/what-green-building

Zahedi, S. (2008). Tourism impact on coastal environment - wit press. (n.d.).

Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://www.witpress.com/Secure/elibrary/papers/CENV08/CENV08005FU1
.pdf