Definitions Examples to memorise

Geography Tourism notes

Gateway 1: How does the nature of tourism vary from place to place?
1. Who are tourists?
 Tourists are people who travel to/stay in places outside their usual environment for
more that 24 hours but not more than 1 year for business/leisure etc
2. Types of tourism:
a. Domestic tourism
 Travelling within one’s own country
b. International tourism
 Travelling from one country to another country
3. How do tourists destinations differ from one another?
a. Places of scenic beauty
 Includes mountains, valleys, rivers, deserts, waterfalls, coral reefs and rainforests
 These places usually result in honey pot tourism
 Honey pot tourism refers to tourism that attracts large number of tourists due to
a site of scenic beauty
 Examples of honey pot sites are:
i. Grand canyon, USA
ii. Limestone islands at Halong bay, Vietnam
iii. Phuket, Thailand
iv. Cancun, Mexico
v. Victoria falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
b. Places with good facilities
1) MICE facilities (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events)
 MICE locations have venues that can host large scale events, along with
supporting infrastructure and services like hotels, retail shops
 Singapore’s success as a MICE location is because it’s a major aviation hub
(access to 4 billion ppl within 7hr flight radius) and a variety of
shopping/entertainment options nearby.
 Singapore was the leading convention city in Asia Pacific in 2017, and it had
been held for 16 consecutive years.
 Singapore drew 2.4 million business travelers in 2017 and they accounted
for 17% of all visitors to Singapore that year
 Singapore hosted World Bank Group in 2006, Youth Olympic Games in
2010.
 Marina bay Sands retail shops and the Suntec Singapore convention and
Exhibition Centre were voted Asia’s best MICE hotel in 2011 and 2012
2) Medical facilities
 Tourists travel to get medical procedure overseas as they want to avoid long
waiting periods, high cost for medical treatments, to seek better quality
medical procedures
 South Korea is a popular destination for those seeking cosmetic surgery as
they’re known for its highly skilled doctors and advanced technology
 Knee replacement costs around 18.5k in Singapore, 9.5k in India
 3) Theme parks
 Theme parks are large-scale enterprise that’s part of an international chain.
For example: Walk Disney Company has theme parks in USA, China, Japan,
France
 Walt Disney World in Florida occupies an area 1/5 of Singapore’s size. It
attracted 17 million visitors in 2011, making it the most visited tourist site in
the world
 Window of the World, Shenzhen, China. It has miniature replicas of famous
tourist spots around the world

c. Places with rich culture

1) Heritage tourism
 Heritage tourism is when people travel to locations to experience different
cultures and to understand the history of places better
 Some places are so unique that they have been declared as UNESCO
(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World
Heritage Sites selected for their cultural significance to the world and the
country. As of 2018, 1092 World Heritage Sites have been listed.
 Heritage sites help to reinforce national identities for domestic tourists and
promote countries culture and history to international tourists
 London, UK. Over 15 million international tourists each year visit sites like
the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace
 Machu Picchu, Peru. The lost city of the Incas has 500 year old stone
architecture, walls, ramps etc. It has great views of the Peruvian Andes
2) Film-induced tourism
 Film-induced tourism is when people travel to see locations featured in
films
 Tourists can understand how certain scenes of the film were filmed or how
these places could have inspired parts of thee film
 Remains of the set in Matamata, New Zealand where the Lord of the Rings
film was made
 Officials in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China, have renamed one of the
park's rock columns to Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, hoping to attract more
international tourists. The park also offers special Avatar-themed tours to
encourage visitors to visit the park
3) Pilgrimage tourism
 Pilgrimage tourism is when people travel to take part in a religious activity
which involves a journey to a sacred place
 Key religious sites attract an estimated 300 million pilgrims a year
 Vatican City, for the Catholic Christians on Easter/Christmas
 Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the Muslims practicing Islam on Hajj. The annual
Hajj to Mecca is the worlds largest pilgrimage attracting over 3 million
pilgrims that include 1.8 million from other countries
 d. Places of conflict
1) Dark tourism
 Dark tourism involves travelling to sites associated with death and tragedy.
 People who take part in it are mostly survivors, friends/relatives of those
affected as well as people interested to know more about the event
 Ground Zero, New York City, USA. The former location of the World Trade
Centre which collapsed on 11 September 2001 after terrorists slammed 2
hijacked planes into the building which killed more than 3000 people
 Auschwitz, Poland concentration camp. Developed by the Nazi in WWII for
Jews and POWs.
 Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, Nanjing, China. Built to commemorate the
mass murders and rape that occurred after the city fell to the Japanese
4. Role of different groups in promoting
a. Government
 The government can influence the number of visitors and their length of stay,
authorize air landings and allow the building of facilities like hotels
 They are involved in planning, funding and building infrastructure linked to
tourism like airports, roads, ports.
 They also play a role in ensuring the safety and security of tourist sites
 The government may also set up agencies to devise strategies to promote
tourism
 Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a government agency that promotes Singapore
as a tourist destination by encouraging developments of new attractions like the
River Safari and create new business opportunities
 Korea Grand Sale is an annual shopping event organized by the Korea Tourism
Organization to promote tourism and boost the economy of South Korea. The
event offers discounts and promotions on various products and services,
including fashion, beauty, electronics, and cultural experiences.
b. Media
 Media refers to the channels through which news and information are
communicated to the public
 Media reports about a country/area could influence tourist decisions
 Due to media, tourists are more aware of destinations that they have previously
not considered like visit to Antarctica, treks in the Himalayas Mountains,
homestays with indigenous groups etc
c. International Organisations
 International organisations is a group of different countries that work together
for a common purpose. Such organisations include World Health Organisation
(WHO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and
Tourism committee (UNTWO)
 OECD works primarily with government and international organisations like
UNWTO. It has 38 member countries and provides statistics from all members.
 UNWTO works primarily with private organisations like tourism organisation and
the government. It has 157 member countries and provides tourism statistics
from all member countries
Gateway 2: Why has tourism become a global phenomenon?
1. In what ways is tourism changing?
a. Trends in the global tourism industry
1) International tourism flows
 Origins and destinations of tourists are unevenly distributed throughout the
world
 Major origins are still form most developed countries in Europe and North
America. However there is increasing number of international tourists form
rapidly developing countries like China, India, Brazil
 Major destinations are North America, Western Europe and China.
 Since 2004 the Asia Pacific overtook North and South America and is the 2nd
most visited region after Europe
 North and South America and Europe regions receive 61% of all international
tourists in 2012 which was a decrease from 81% in 1980
 Europe has more than 10 million tourists that travel to North America and the
Middle East per year
2) Desire line map and Flow line map
Flow line map Desire line map
Shows origin and movement and line width is proportional to flow volume
Shows 1 or 2 way movement but doesn’t show changes in flow over time
Lines follow actual route Straight lines are drawn, does not
follow actual route
Used for large- and small-scale maps Used for small scale maps

3) Domestic tourism flows

 Domestic tourism was and is the most popular form of tourism despite the
fact that international tourism has grown a lot
 Worldwide in 2010, 83% of tourist arrivals were domestic tourists
 In Philippines 2010, international tourist receipts were US$ 3.2 billion while
domestic tourism was US$ 22.9 billion
b. Evolution of mass tourism to niche tourism
1) Mass tourism
 Mass tourism refers to travel that involves large number of tourist visiting a
particular place together that often takes place in the form of packaged
holidays
 Packaged holidays have been a major form of tourism since 19670s, however
it has lead to similar experiences, destinations being overcrowded and
inflexible schedules
2) Niche tourism
 Niche tourism refers to special-interest tourism based on a particular
interest/activity.
 Appeals to travelers who seek ‘new’ destinations/activities/experience
 Examples of niche tourism:
i. Eco-tourism
 Involves visiting undisturbed natural areas to help travelers
better appreciate natural beauty and biodiversity
 Waitomo Caves in New Zealand. Famous tourist destination
because of the glowworms that light up the ceiling. Tour
operations are closely monitored and if carbon dioxide
levels exceed 2400 parts per million which is corrosive to
the caves, they are halted.
ii. Adventure tourism
 Adventure tourism refers to a type of tourism that involves
travel to remote or exotic destinations for the purpose of
engaging in physically challenging and thrilling outdoor
activities.
 Nepal is home to some of the highest peaks in the world,
including Mount Everest, making it a popular destination
for adventure tourism activities such as mountaineering,
trekking, and hiking.
iii. Health and wellness tourism
 This type of tourism includes activities such as spa treatments, yoga
retreats, and meditation classes that promote physical and mental
wellbeing.
3) Short haul destinations
 Short haul destinations refer to destinations that are a short distance away
from the tourists home country. Must be less then 5 hours of flight time
4) Long haul tourism
 Long hail destinations are destinations that are a long distance away from
tourists home country. More then 5 hours of flight time
c. What influences tourism trends?
1) Reasons for growth if global tourism
a. Developments in technology
i. Better and affordable transport
 Before advancements in technology, commercial flights would fly a
short distance and stops to refuel sometimes even overnight.
 Previously, a flight to London would take 2-4 days with many
layovers but now it’s a straight 14 hour flight
 Previously, the De Havilland Comet 1 could only carry 36
passengers while now the Airbus A380 can carry 853 passengers
 The rise of budget airlines which use smaller, more fuel efficient
aircrafts and fly to only short haul destinations. The cost is furthur
reduced as the tickets are sold online instead of buying it from a
third party which eliminates the middleman fee
 Being fuel efficient would allow the plane to fly without stopping
for topping up fuel so it reduces travelling time
ii. Ease of access to information
 Updated information available readily like >100ml not allowed on
planes, allow travelers to book their plane tickets online etc
 They can also see surveillance, surveys about security and safety
of the country
b. Demand factors
i. Disposable income  How much $ after taxes
 Due to rapid economic growth especially in countries like India and
China, disposable income has been increasing. With more
disposable income, the higher the chances of them travelling
ii. Leisure time
 Leisure time Is when people are free from work responsibilities
and commitments
 For middle to high income groups leisure time usually comes in the
form of paid leave
 Shorter working hours, 5 day work week. Minimum of 3 weeks
paid annual leave for some countries.
 Spain, siesta . Napping after lunch
 Australia, employees can exchange paid overtime work for leave
iii. Changing lifestyle
 Pace of life is much faster, people spend long hours in the
workplace so traveling has become a way for people to relax and
take a break from their hectic lives
 People travel for various reasons like leisure, visiting relatives and
friends, for health or religious reasons
 Retirees are major contributors to the growth of tourism and
cruises are popular with them
 In Australia there is a group of retirees called Grey Nomads that
spend their time travelling in mobile homes to explore different
parts of the country.
 c. Destination factors
i. Attractions
 An attraction is a feature/quality that makes a place interesting or
enjoyable. Without these attractions, tourists are less likely to visit
a place
 Governments know the value in investing in such attractions as
tourists will return repeatedly to spend their money in their coutry
 Dubai, UAE has received more than 15 million travelers in 2017.
Tourists mainly visit Dubai for shopping, business, entertainment.
2 of Dubai’s well known attractions are the Burj Al Arab which is a
seven star luxury hotel and the Palm Islands which is the world’s
largest artificial island
ii. Investments in infrastructure and services
 Tourist attractions need large investments in infrastructure and
services. Such infrastructure needed is the expansion of airport as
tourists would be more willing to visit a place if they can manage
the growth in air passenger traffic
 Tourist sites require food outlets, entertainment, wifi etc
 Singapore’s Changi Airport’s budget terminal was closed in 2012
to make way for the construction of Terminal 4 which opened in
2017. T4 raised the airports capacity to 82 million passengers per
year from 72 million previously
 Hong Kong will add 49 hotels to its 189 operating ones which will
allow the city to accommodate 70 million visitors instead of 42
million
iii. Access to information
 Access to information which is supplied by tourist destination.
 Tourists are more likely to visit a destination when information
like transport routes and schedule is easy to obtain.
 Tourists also want access to information in a language they
understand which is why many signs in tourist destinations are in
different languages
 Local tour guides and travel agents are trained to answer
questions and meet the needs of tourists.
d. Why is tourism subject to regional fluctuations?
1) Disasters
 A disaster can discourage tourists from visiting a destination as it poses a risk
to the safety of the tourist and it may disrupt essential tourist infrastructure
 After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan, the total tourist
arrivals had decreased by 28% to 6.2 million arrivals.
 Disasters can also discourage citizens affected from travelling overseas
 South Korea receives a 1/3 of its tourists from Japan however compared to
2010, tourist arrivals from Japan in 2011 fell by 11% in March
2) Recessions
 Recession is a period of general slowdown in economic activities which may
cause a lot of people to lose their jobs or decrease in salary
 Recessions can be global or regional
 Decline in income will cause a decline in goods and services which will then
result in less people travelling overseas and thus, less international tourists
Regional recession Global recession
Only a region/group of countries is Many countries around the world is
affected affected
Example: European Sovereign Debt Example: Global financial Crisis.
Crisis. Greece could not pay its World’s largest financial firms went
government debt so other countries bankrupt due to the crash in housing
like Ireland and Spain have also market in USA resulting in them
sought help to pay their government losing their investments. This
debts. Caused many of the countries triggered panic in most financial
using Euro as their national currency institutes and caused economies of
resulting in collapse of businesses countries to slow down or shrink
etc

3) Political situations
 Unfavorable political situations, where there is a disagreement between
different groups of people that may result in wars may discourage tourists
from visiting.
 Political conflicts pose a danger to the tourists safety and may also disrupt
services and cause damage to infrastructure
 Government authorities may also issue travel advisories due to dangers of
conflict
 After experiencing unfavorable political situations, country needs to rebuild
their reputation through promotions, new infrastructure etc. One example of
it is Bali which managed to rebuild its reputation after terrorist attacks in
2002 and 2005
 In 2011, most governments banned their citizens from visiting Libya due to a
civil war, which posed a threat to civilians' lives. As a result, commercial
airlines reduced or stopped their flights to Libya, leading to no commercial
flights into the country's airspace and no tourist arrivals by air between
March and October 2011.
4) Diseases
 An outbreak of disease refers to the sudden and widespread occurrence f a
disease in an are which can cause a huge drop in tourist arrivals as they do
not want to risk getting infected
 The SARS outbreak spread over 6 moths in 2003 killed 775 people and
infected more than 8000 in 25 countries. In Hong Kong, hotel occupancy
dropped from 82% to 5% in May 2003
 In 2007, WHO declared major H1N1 outbreaks in USA, Mexico and Spain. In
Mexico, this caused widespread cancellation of holiday bookings
 COVID 19, closure of borders. Need I say more?
Gateway 3: Developing tourism at what cost?
1. What are the impacts of tourism?
a. Economic impact
1) Advantages
i. Employment opportunities
 Growth of tourism has lead to an increase in the number of tourism
related jobs like hotel workers, tour agencies, souvenir shops
 Tourism industry employed over 235 million people worldwide which
is 6-8% of all jobs in the world
 Direct employment  Hotel employees, travel agents
 Indirect employment  Construction, shop owners, taxi drivers
 Example: Singapore’s Integrated Resorts like Marina Bay Sands and
Resorts World Sentosa has directly employed more than 20,000
workers
ii. Growth in income
 Growth in tourism can lead to growth in income for induvial and for a
country
 Example: Fishermen on Pamilacan island in the Philippines are being
employed by tour companies to take tourists on their boats to spot
and swim with whale sharks and dolphins. The fishermen earn
between US$80-100 per boat ride, This allows fishermen to earn extra
income in addition to their fishing livelihood. The tour company’s
revenue will increase
 In 2017, international tourist arrivals grew 7%, highest since 2010 at
1323 million tourists generating US$ 1.3 trillion in receipts
 However the revenue generated from tourism does not always remain
in the country, instead a large portion is lost as a leakage especially in
LDCs  Not all the money made will go to the government
 Tourists may fly on non-local airline, eat imported food, stay at a
foreign-owned hotel.  Revenue goes overseas, not to the
government. Local people may not have a lot of skills and will only be
given labour work like bellboy/maid
*Tourism receipts  Total expenditure incurred by tourists

iii. Development of infrastructure

 Improving accessibility and upgrading of existing attractions which
brings about investment opportunities from overseas. It also creates
jobs as construction of the new infrastructure needs many workers
 Revenue earned is then used to build new facilities like schools,
hospitals etc
 Without such infrastructure and facilities like airports, roads, tourism
cannot develop and cannot operate on a large scale
 Examples: In both Athens, Greece and Beijing, China, underground
railway systems were expanded to move large number of visitors
during the summer Olympic games in 2004 and 2008 respectively
2) Disadvantages
i. Seasonal unemployment
 Certain tourist activities depend on climate conditions and as a result
people in some tourism-related jobs may have to find other sources of
income
 Example: European countries around the Mediterranean like Greece,
Italy, Spain have surge in tourists during summer season from July to
September as tourists like to hike, relax by the beach etc
 Example: In Sapporo, Japan, there is a surge in tourists from December
to February during winter as tourists like to engage in winter sports
like skiing and snowboarding
 Example: In 1997, Asian Economic Crisis  People no money so never
travel. In 1997, Haze  People didn’t want to travel due to health
reasons. In 2003, SARS  People didn’t travel due to fear of getting
infected. In 2002 and 2005, Bali  Terrorist bombings, people were
afraid for their safety. In 2004, USA, 911 attack  Terrorist
ii. Underuse of facilities
 Facilities build specifically for certain events may be underused when
the event is over
 It would be costly to maintain as income from tourists normally pay
the bill, they become neglected instead
 Example: Olympic Aquatic Center, Athens in 2004 is run down and
neglected as well as Maracanã Stadium in Rio De Janeiro. The Beijing
National Aquatics Centre which was built for the Olympics 2008, part
of it has been renovated to form a water park in August 2010
iii. Shortage of service
 Tourist infrastructure may require large amounts of land, water and
power which could lead to shortage of services like water/power for
non-tourist areas
 Example: Bali, Indonesia. Water is set aside for golf courses, swimming
pools, fountains in resorts which resulted in shortage of drinking water
for the locals as drinking water was diverted to meet the needs of the
resort
b. Socio-cultural impact
1) Advantages
i. Preservation of local customs and heritage
 Preservation of customs and heritage is the protection of the wat
people live including their economic activities, traditional beliefs and
religious practices
 Preserved and restored historical sites make a place more attractive to
tourists and it also benefits the local community by enhancing their
sense of belonging to their community as they are more conscious of
their culture
 Example: Sites like the Historical Christ Church in Malacca, Malaysia
has been carefully restored and now stands as a relic of Malacca’s
colonial history
 Revenue generated from tourism can also fund the preservation and
restoration of cultural sites.
 Example: Entry fees to the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt or Angkor
Wat complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia
2) Disadvantages
i. Dilution of local customs and heritage
 Identity of a place can be lost  Tourism replaces traditional local
activities, leading to the construction of new buildings, and causing
locals to relocate their original activities away. This causes the identity
of a place and the original atmosphere to be lost.
 Example: Tourism growth in Bali has led to the development of large
hotels, resorts, and shopping malls that replaced traditional Balinese
architecture and way of life, resulting in loss of original atmosphere
 Culture of a place can be lost  Cultural festivals and religious rituals
may be altered to meet demands and expectations of tourists. Rituals
may be shortened, repeated several times a day for tourists.
Commercilaisation of cultural events reduces authenticity and
significance of these events  Locals lose sense of cultural identity
 Example: Day of the Dead in Mexico which is to honor a deceased love
one has become more commercialized, with the sale of souvenirs and
costumes to tourists. This has led to concerns about the loss of the
holiday's traditional meaning and cultural importance.
 Example: Tourists pay high fee to enter Thailand's Village of Kayan
Lahwi women, treating them like exhibits which they paid for and
taking photo without their permission
ii. Increased crime
 High crime levels may occur at popular tourist sites as tourists carry
valuable items like watches, cameras, money.
 Increased prostitution (Bangkok) and increased gambling among
youths (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
 Tourists may get cheated as goods are sold at an inflated price
 Example: Louvre, a museum in Paris had to close its doors when staff
walked out in protest at the increasing problem of pickpockets stealing
from tourists
c. Environmental impact
1) Advantages
i. Conservation of natural environment
 Funding from tourism like entry fees helps to conserve the
environment
 Example: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia charges fees for access to
some areas. Tourist revenue is used for conservation efforts such as
coral propagation and research
 Example: In Kenya, tourist fees for viewing animals in the wild like
elephants generate $600,000 annually and are used by the
government for animal and habitat conservation.
2) Disadvantages
i. Vandalism
 Vandalism is deliberately damaging property belonging to others.
 Cultural, historical, natural sites may be vandalized which is
irreversible and irrecoverable
 Example: Graffiti and carving of names on the Pyramids of Giza in
Egypt is an example of historical areas being vandalized. This
damages the site and affects its preservation for future generations
ii. Littering and pollution
 Excessive litter from tourists is a major problem in tourist areas
especially if theres a lack of proper waste management measures
leading to degradation of such areas
 Example: Tourists at Mount Everest in Nepal leave behind gear,
oxygen canisters, and human waste leading to litter and
environmental harm. Authorities require climbers to carry out their
own waste and impose fines for littering
 Example: Caribbean islands lack space to treat waste from ships,
resulting in dumping of waste into the sea, causing pollution
iii. Destruction of habitat
 Careless tourists may trample on plants and make too much noise
which disturbs or frightens animals. Mistreatments of animals may
also occur
 Example: Egypt's Red Sea coast, a popular diving and snorkeling
destination with 1.2 million annual visitors, has suffered coral reef
and fish habitat damage from tourists collecting shells and corals as
souvenirs, and restaurants dumping waste into the sea
iv. Carbon footprint
 Carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that’s
produced
 Increase in domestic and international tourism leads to increased
usage of planes, tour buses and electricity consumed by hotels
 Example: The aviation industry is responsible for around 2% of global
greenhouse gas emissions and top 10 cruise ship companies emit
more sulfur oxide than all of Europe's cars combined.
 v. Increased congestion
 Large number of tourists may cause overcrowding in areas and due to
the large crowd, shops may also cluster around such areas making it
even more congested
 Causes noise and pollution as well
 Example: In Rome, Italy many older walkways and narrow streets are
filled with tourists and many tourists are also at Trevi Fountain.

2. How are the impacts of tourism managed?

a. Conserve fragile environments and sustainable tourism
1) Conserving fragile environments
 Conservation is the careful management and use of resources such that
these resources would not be depleted
 Conservation is important for fragile environments which are environments
that are easily affected by change
 Examples: Mangroves and coral reefs are fragile environments which can
easily be disturbed by dumping of waste and removal of vegetation to build
roads.
 Fuel leaks from boats in Port Douglas, Queensland and removal of corals for
souvenir’s by the 14 million tourists visitors is a threat to corals
2) Sustainable tourism
 Minimising leakage from tourist revenue by training locals to perform skilled
jobs, developing homestay accommodation where tourists pay locals directly
for accommodation and promoting local foods/drinks
 Examples of sustainable tourism:
I. Community based tourism
 Local communities are involved in planning and
management of tourism activities
 Small scale locally owned tourism business that offer tourists
opportunity to experience local tradition, culture, food
 However, due to the lack of experience and the small scale,
the revenue generated may be insufficient to benefit the
local community, and tourists may be dissatisfied with the
rural conditions. (Atas ppl want proper toilet, not hole in
floor)
 Example: Cempedak village on Bintan Island in Indonesia
operates a community-owned tourism business that allows
visitors to experience local traditions like participating in
crafts and farming. The revenue is used for projects to
improve access to clean water and education.
 II. Ecotourism
 Ecotourism minimizes impact on the environment and local
culture while involving locals in the operation of tourist
facilities. The revenue is used to maintain/protect the area.
 However, tourist packages may focus on profit and disregard
guidelines.
 Tourists may be irresponsible and the laws are not strictly
enforced due to manpower shortage or corruption
 Number of visitors is not controlled which might disrupt
nature areas

Ecotourism Community based tourism

Responsible travel to nature areas Responsible travel to local community

Tourists experience and appreciate nature and culture of Tourists experience and respect the culture and nature of destination
destination

Generally but not exclusively organised by specialised tour Generally managed by local community
operators for small groups

minimizes negative impacts upon the natural and social cultural
environment:
1. generating economic benefits for host communities,
organizations and authorities with conservation purposes
2. Provides employment and income opportunities for locals
3. increases awareness towards conservation of natural and
cultural assets for both local and tourists
Minimizes negative impacts on the locals
1. Locals earn income as land managers, entrepreneurs, and
produce providers and employees
2. Part of the tourism receipts is set aside for projects which
benefit the communities as a whole
3. Locals have active say in decision planning

b. Tensions in managing the impacts of tourism

1) Tensions between tourists and locals
 Tensions may arise when the needs of tourists conflict with needs of locals
 Example: In Bali, tourist sites like Kuta are congested with busloads of
tourists, so it’s difficult for locals to conduct their daily business. Hotels and
resorts can also potentially deprive some locals of water as it is used for
swimming pools, golf course etc. Tourists show public displays of affection,
which locals object to.
2) Tensions between tourists and environment
 Tensions may arise when the needs of tourists conflict with the need to
conserve the environment
 Natural attractions may be dependent of tourist revenue for conservation
but inflow of tourists contribute to the damage of attraction
 Example: Tourism at Machu Picchu, Peru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
built by the Inca civilization on the slopes of the Andes. Erosion of the Inca
trail is due to the over 75,000 hikers per year, who also litter along the trail.
Helicopter transportation to site may disrupt wildlife and result in their
inability to breed and find food. The collective weight of tourists also
damages the land and historical artifacts on the site
 3) Measures for Governments managing the tension
 Many government set up agencies to manage such tensions who implement
measures to help balance needs of tourists, environment and locals
 Such measures include:
 limiting number of tourists at a site to minimize congestion and
degradation
 Employing staff to maintain and repair a site and prevent tourist from
tampering with it
 Restricting tourists from entering areas where only locals can enter
c. Responsibilities of various groups
1) Local communities
 A group of people living in the same territory and they can play a key role in
conserving and protecting tourist areas
 Locals benefit and see interest in sustaining tourism through community
based tourism, increase in tourism-related employment
 However is usually lacking in funding, skilled labor and its difficult to get
external funding
 Example: Villagers of Candirejo, Indonesia (Community based tourism)
2) Visitors
 Visitors should visit without causing damage or offence  Dressing
appropriately when visiting temples
 Tourists provide income opportunities for locals
 Tourists are encouraged by the Tourism Sustainability Group to choose
destinations that prioritize conservation efforts, as some want to minimize
their carbon footprint while on vacation
 However, tourists might damage local attractions and dilute culture
3) Tour operators
 They are increasingly concerned about conserving and protecting
environments visited by tourists otherwise less tourists would visit resulting
in less money
 Example: Phuket Alternative Tours (PAT) set up by tour operators in 2006 to
operate in an environmentally sustainable way
4) Planning authorities
 Planning authorities can greatly influence the future quality of environments
by determining how many visitors a stie can cope with and allocating
infrastructure space
 However they may experience difficulty in planning for unforeseen factors
 Example: Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has implemented programs to
conserve ethnic district by enhancing cultural zones like Chinatown so
visitors can have a greater appreciation of Singapore’s heritage
5) Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs)
 NGOs are concerned with tourisms impact on natural and human
environments
 However, they may lack funding to do anything
 Example: The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) has developed
guidelines, conducted training courses etc. It works with travel associations
and conservation groups in 124 countries.