THUONGMAI UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGLISH

GROUP DISCUSSION

BASIC ENGLISH 1.1

Topic:

The pros and cons of Tourism

Teacher: Trần Anh Thư

Class: K59AA3

Group: 8

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Group preparation assessment: .....................................................................................

Presentation assessment: List of students (in the order of presenting)

No. Name (for students) Comments (for teacher only) Mark

1 Nguyễn Quốc Triệu

2 Dương Văn Tuyển

3 Nguyễn Tuấn Việt

4 Nguyễn Đình Khôi

5 Phạm Thị Trà Giang

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENT

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 A. Overview of Tourism

I. The fros of Tourism…..................................................................................4

II. The cons of Tourism…………….................................................................15

B. How to keep the impact of Tourism positive

BIÊN BẢN HỌP NHÓM …..................................................................17

BẢN ĐÁNH GIÁ THÀNH VIÊN …..................................................

A, Overview of Tourism

The tourism industry is one of the most lucrative and essential industries for the
global economy since it can provide revenue almost year-round. It allows people
to visit and spend time in places they want to go and like. Every year, people from
all over the world visit destinations like Paris, Hawaii, Mexico and Japan to
experience a new culture through food, sightseeing and adventures.

Tourism provides thousands of jobs each year and allows people to explore the
world at their leisure. It’s excellent for both the people touring an area
themselves for happiness and well-being, and it’s great for the country’s
population as a whole.

However, the disadvantages of tourism should be addressed, especially

concerning the environment. Tourism industries in some countries often ignore
these cons because they want to continue to provide revenue for the peoples’
livelihoods. It’s easy to overlook the negative aspects when tourism has brought enormous wealth to
developing countries.

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In the main, Tourism is all about balance. While there are pros and cons of
tourism, it is possible to create a responsible and sustainable tourism model that
leads to positive effects for local communities.

I. The pros of tourism

There are plenty of upsides to tourism! It is because of these upsides that all
countries across the globe embrace the industry. Here are some points that
highlight the value that tourism gives and the advantages of a country investing in
this industry.

1. Helps Preserve Culture and Heritage

One major benefit of tourism is that it can help preserve culture and heritage
through cultural promotion and preservation.

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Much of travel is centered around experiencing other cultures, whether it’s
through formal experiences like visiting cultural sites, or informal experiences like
simply dining in a local restaurant.

Both types of experiences lead to increased cultural awareness. Visitors learn

about a culture different from their own, which leads to better understanding.

Tourism also helps preserve culture and heritage through the accumulation of
resources that can be put toward cultural preservation. For example, purchasing a
ticket to visit a heritage site will typically support the operation of that site.

Essentially, tourism provides visitors experiences that lead to cultural

understanding, as well as more funding for cultural sites.

a sign with tips for safety and respectful hiking at the start of the Bruarfoss trail in
southern iceland

Tourism has incentivized better tourism infrastructure and protected natural

areas in Iceland.

2. Stimulates Economic Growth

One of the biggest pros of tourism is economic. Tourism accounts for about 10%
of employment worldwide, both directly and indirectly. Benefits can extend to a
local economy, and broader, country-wide economy as well.

While there are the obvious jobs that tourism creates, like tour operators and
hotel staff, there are also tourism adjacent jobs. The restaurant, retail,
transportation, and entertainment industries all benefit from the presence of
tourists. Local businesses selling all sorts of goods can benefit as well.

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In countries where employment rates are low, tourism can add valuable jobs, and
contribute to economic growth. For example, tourism represents about 38% of
the Maldives’ GDP.

3. Positive Social Effects of Tourism

When tourism helps to improve the economy of a country, there’s the

opportunity for that growth to benefit the people of that country. A stronger
economy can lead to positive social effects that impact everyday life.

Tourism also creates incentives for investments that can have positive social
effects. For example, tourism encourages infrastructure such as roads, transport
networks, medical facilities, and education facilities.

While the main goal may be to support visitors, this investment in infrastructure
often benefits local communities just as much.

4.Creates Jobs

One of the most significant benefits of tourism is creating jobs for people who
may have previously been unemployed. Tourism accounts for about 10% of
employment worldwide, whether directly or indirectly.

The tourism industry encompasses retailers, restaurant workers, transportation

industries, entertainment facilities and hospitality workers. It can even include
medical workers as some people travel for cosmetic surgery or medical advice
and medications. This leads to the reduction of unemployment in many countries,
which reduces the burden on the government.

5. Encourages Global Awareness and Learning

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Another pro of tourism is that it encourages travelers to learn about cultures outside of their own.
Often, this learning helps to create a sense of unity among people from various cultures and countries.

Exposure to other cultures makes it possible for people to understand one another’s cultural practices,
beliefs, and traditions. This in turn leads to global awareness and cross-cultural understanding.

II, The cons of tourism

1,Damages the Environment

Although countries do their best to conserve the environment, including animals, plants and natural
scenes, tourists can still be disrespectful. As people flock to one place, waste and pollution accumulate.
Sometimes, tours offer animal experiences as well, which put animals through suffering. Further, land is
needed to accommodate tourists, so countries will destroy habitats to build hotels and restaurants.

Tourism can often cause environmental damage due to risks like erosion, pollution, loss of natural
habitats, and forest fires. Even if tourists behave responsibly, the sheer number of them can cause
harm. Ancient buildings, monuments, and temples often struggle to cope with increased traffic and
suffer inevitable wear-and-tear. Reefs and other natural tourist attractions can suffer permanent
damage.

2,Leads to Loss of Cultural Identity

The commercialization of culture can undermine the soul of a tourist destination. Local traditions that
have a rich cultural heritage are reduced to wearing costumes and putting on acts for the tourists in
return for money.

Culture clashes. Tourists often lack respect for local traditions and culture, refuse to follow local dress
standards, get drunk in public, or behave rudely or inappropriately towards locals.

3,Tourism dependence

It’s not a good thing to be solely dependent on tourism. Regions known for their tourist destinations
learned that lesson once COVID-19 spread throughout the world. When people could no longer travel,
the tourism industry in countries that depended on it had a more difficult time recovering and getting
the necessary resources that locals needed to survive. Without tourists, those countries would receive
no more income, which affects the entire country.

Sometimes tourism becomes so focal that other forms of income-generation are neglected and an
economic dependence on tourism forms. This is fine in good times, but it can leave the country

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vulnerable to economic ruin if there's a downturn and can contribute to political upheaval or natural
disasters.

4,Low quality employment or loss of job

It’s true that tourism generates employment for many. But often these jobs are low paying and
seasonal. With employees completing menial tasks with little room for progression or career
advancement. It’s not uncommon for establishments like resorts to hire international staff for senior,
managerial roles. Usually from more economically developed countries. This leaves local workers stuck
in low-level roles, paid peanuts and not guaranteed year-round work.

5, Social disadvantages of tourism

The impacts of tourism on society and culture are often contested and deeply complicated. Tourism is
just one of many forces that can impact on and change cultures, like globalisation, technology and the
media. But there is no denying that tourism and culture and society are inseparable. And there are some
major disadvantages of tourism in this area.

B, How to keep the impact of Tourism positive

As travelers, one of the best ways to keep the impact of tourism positive is to
make travel choices that support good tourism. Researching your travels, the
vendors you hire, and the properties you stay at is a great place to start.

1.Avoid Flying to Nearby Destinations

While air travel is often necessary for reaching far-off places, consider opting
for more sustainable transportation methods when traveling to nearby
destinations. Trains, buses, or carpooling can significantly reduce your carbon
footprint and contribute to lower emissions.

2.Use Public Transportation on Your Trip

Once you’ve arrived at your destination you can practice responsible tourism by
making use of public transportation, biking, or walking to explore the area. Not
only does this minimize congestion and pollution, but it also allows you to
experience the destination from a local’s perspective.

3. Stay at Eco-Friendly Hotels

Choose accommodations that prioritize sustainability and environmental

responsibility. Green Hotels not only track and monitor their waste but they

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implement ways to recycle, reduce and eliminate the waste they create. They
also seek ways to reduce their energy consumption and aim to educate guests on
responsible tourism and sustainable travel.

4.Conserve Resources – Turn Down the Air Conditioning

When staying in accommodations, practice energy conservation by turning

down the air conditioning or heating when you leave your room. Unnecessary
energy consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, so a small
adjustment can make a big difference. While we might normally be more
conscious of this at home, when we go on holiday we can be more relaxed about
usage, which has an effect on energy consumption and emissions overall.

5.Respect Local Culture and Traditions

Before visiting a new place, practice responsible tourism by taking the time to
learn about its cultural norms and traditions. Respect local customs, dress codes,
and etiquette. This shows your appreciation for the destination’s heritage and
helps preserve its cultural identity

MEETING MINUTES - GROUP: 2

Time: from 21h to 21h30

Date: 027/01/2024

Place: Onine on Google Meet

Participants: Nguyễn Quốc Triệu ( leader), Nguyễn Tuấn Việt, Phạm Thị Trà Giang,
Dương Văn Tuyển, Nguyễn Đình Khôi.

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Contents for discussing: The pros and cons of Tourism

Duties for participants:

Participants Duties
Nguyễn Quốc Triệu ( leader) Overview of Tourism + PowerPoint
Nguyễn Tuấn Việt The pros of Tourism + Word
Phạm Thị Trà Giang How to keep the impact of Tourism
positive + Word
Dương Văn Tuyển The pros of Tourism + Word
Nguyễn Đình Khôi The cons of tourism + PowerPoint
Conclusion: The meeting was completed sucessfully.

Leader (Signature and name) Minute-Taker (Signature and name)

Triệu Giang

Nguyễn Quốc Triệu Phạm Thị Trà Giang

MEETING MINUTES - GROUP: 2

Time: from 20h to 21h

Date: 03/02/2023

Place: Onine on Google Meet

Participants: Nguyễn Quốc Triệu ( leader), Nguyễn Tuấn Việt, Phạm Thị Trà Giang,
Dương Văn Tuyển, Nguyễn Đình Khôi.

Contents for discussing: The pros and cons of Tourism

Presentation part of participants:

Participants Presentation part

Nguyễn Quốc Triệu ( leader) Benefits + drawbacks of Holiday
Nguyễn Tuấn Việt Definition+ types of Travelling
Phạm Thị Trà Giang VietNamese's Holiday and Traveling

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 Dương Văn Tuyển Definition + types of Holiday
Nguyễn Đình Khôi drawbacks + benefits of Traveling

Conclusion: The meeting was completed sucessfully.

Leader (Signature and name) Minute-Taker (Signature and name)

Triệu Giang

Nguyễn Quốc Triệu Phạm Thị Trà Giang

PEER ASSESSMENT

No. Full name Duties Assessment Mark

1. Nguyễn Quốc Triệu

2. Nguyễn Tuấn Việt

3. Phạm Thị Trà Giang

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4. Dương Văn Tuyển

5. Nguyễn Đình Khôi