Mapula,Chantal Faith.

October 24,2022

Impacts of Tourism

For millions of individuals, traveling has always been one of the most alluring and exciting

ways to pass the time. Particularly for nations that are weak in terms of industry and economic

growth but have appealing historical sites and elaborate architecture, tourism is a tremendously

valuable industry and is seen as a country’s economic savior. Tourism, especially nature tourism,

has benefits for both the economy and the environment, but it also has a negative impact on the

nations’ ecosystems.

Tourism is one of the ways people were using the nature, from an environmental

perspective. Human interaction with the environment is necessary for the development of tourism.

A unique, recreational landscape is created as a result. Recreational and tourism-related areas

typically rank third in developed nations, behind agriculture and forestry holdings. Recreational

use of land has a potential future in successfully competing with and displacing other uses due to

the rapidly expanding global tourist sector and its significant economic benefits.

The negative effects of tourism on the environment, which were formerly underestimated,

are now attracting the attention of the entire community. These impacts are wide-ranging and

numerous, including the destruction of natural landscapes, dangers to species and ecosystems,

which leads to a loss of biodiversity, and lastly, the dissolution of regional customs and social

structures. There are many instances of how tourism harms the environment, yet it may also have

beneficial effects and support sustainable development by promoting welfare and social

advancement.

Because they are more visible, the drawbacks of tourism development in protected areas

are more commonly known than its advantages. The ecosystem is significantly impacted by an
increase in tourists, the unsustainable use of natural resources, the building of hotels, and other

tourism-related activities. The most obvious benefit of tourism is the generation of jobs in

hospitality, dining, retail, and transportation service businesses. There are many different jobs

available in the tourism industry, from hotel work to tour guides and taxi drivers. The majority of

the economic sectors in emerging nations are driven by tourism, including agriculture,

construction, industry, infrastructure development, as well as the education, cultural, sports, and

entertainment sectors.

Therefore, the tourism industry should be associated only with a rational and sustainable

use of natural resources. Environmental degradation poses a threat on the viability of tourism and

this threat stems from the activities of other sectors of the economy, as well as from the activities

related to tourism itself. It is necessary to use natural resources considerably, paying special

attention to the most vulnerable parts and territories. Moreover, tourism must be reasonable and

do not cause harm to nature and its resources and preserve them. The role of the government in

this process is to provide the laws and regulations for sustainable tourism development in order to

prevent the major environmental threats, such as global warming, loss of biodiversity and

destruction of landscapes, pollution of coastal waters and freshwater shortages and air pollution.

References:

Andereck, K. L. (2003). The Impacts of Tourism on Natural Resources. Parks and Recreation, 28

(6), 26- 32.

Mathieson, A. and Wall, G. (2002). Tourism: Economic, Physical and Social Impacts. New York:

Longman House.
Frechtling, D. C. (2004). Assessing the economic impacts of travel and tourism Measuring

economic costs. In Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Research, second edition. J.R. Brent Ritchie

and Charles R. Goeldner (eds). New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc.