Introduction to Tourism and Its Impacts

A) Introduction to Tourism
The world is a book, he who stays at home reads only one page.

Tourism – World’s Biggest Industry
World’s number one export earner
Tourism ……………………………………………………. 9%
Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products 7%
Passengers road vehicles and their parts 5.5%
Electronic Equipment ………………………………. 4%
Mining ………………………………………………………. 3.5%
Significant average annual percentage growth rate
Tourism ……………………………. 12%
Commercial Services ………. 12%
Merchandise exports ………. 10%
Major contributor to global economic development, creating employment, and generating wealth

Historical Perspective
Mass Tourism began in the years immediately after WWII
Rising standards of living
Increased leisure time
Development in transportation
The origins of tourism can be traced much further back
Trade
Religious and spiritual purposes
Festivals and sport events

Tourism Today
International tourism arrivals reached an all time record of 1.035 billion in 2012
Growth over 2011 corresponds to 5%
Worldwide earning on International Tourism reached in 2012 a new record value of US$ 1035 Trillion.
International arrivals are expected to reach over 1.56 billion by the year 2020.

Top 10 Tourism Destinations

Defining Tourism
… the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, and other purposes. (WTO 1993, UNSTAT 1994)

Different Types of Tourism
Domestic tourism: Residents of a country traveling within their own country
Inbound tourism: Non-residents traveling in the given country
Outbound tourism: Residents traveling in another country

Purpose of Travel
Leisure tourism
Holidays
Health and fitness
Sport
Religion
Education
Cultural
Visiting friends and relatives (VFR)
Business tourism
Conferences and training events
Business meetings
Exhibitions
Trade fairs

B) Impacts of Tourism
Economic Impacts
Environmental Impacts
Socio-Cultural Impacts

Economic Impacts
Positive
International level
Tourism generated US$ 623 billion in earnings and contributed over 10% of global Gross Domestic Product
In 2006, tourism employs 385 million people (11.1% of the world’s labor)
National level
Tourism contribution to GNP: Tourism dominates economic activities in many countries such as Caribbean islands. Anguilla (90% of GNP), Antigua and Barbuda (87% of GNP)

Economic Impacts
Positive
Regional and local levels
Injecting revenue into urban and rural areas
Creating employment opportunities
Stimulating the creation of new business enterprises
Contributing towards extra inward investment through the promotion of a positive image of an area

Economic Impacts
Positive
Summary
Wealth generation
Employment creation

Economic Impacts
Negative
The loss of labor from traditional, primary industries
Price rises in destination areas
Local shops are lost in favor of tourist outlets
Displacement effect
The development of infrastructure and facilities for tourism can divert resources away from other capital projects

Environmental Impacts
Negative
Water supply
Physical erosion
Wearing away of natural features such as river banks, mountain passes, soil and vegetation
Destruction of archeological sites and historic monuments
Water pollution
Poorly managed sewage treatment and waste disposal processes
Loss of wildlife habitats
Ecological destruction due to overuse
Waste disposal (Littering)
Air pollution
Noise pollution
Overcrowding
Different modes of tourism transport

Environmental Impacts
Positive
Conservation of natural and built resources
National parks
Ancient monuments
Improvement of general environment of a destination
Amenity planting in public parks and gardens
Upgraded ‘street furniture’ (lighting, public seating and litter bins)
Improved signage
Clearance of derelict land
Renovations to buildings
Exposure of detrimental environmental activities in remote areas

Socio-cultural Impacts
Negative
Overcrowding
Distortion of local customs
Commercialized and stylized presentation
Loss of native languages
Loss of traditional crafts and industries
Such as fishing, forestry, mining, and agriculture
Fragmentation of communities
Tourist areas may develop large communities of second home owners and expatriates
Alterations to religious codes
Rise in social problems
Tourists may behave badly
Temptation of tourism can lead local people into increased criminal activity including fraud, prostitution, drug abuse, and vandalism