Impacts of Tourism and Hospitality PDF

**Lesson 6: IMPACTS OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY\ \ The Impacts of Tourism and Hospitality** The tourism has evolved from ancient times until today but the rapid growth of tourism and hospitality in the twentieth century has produced both problems and benefits for destination countries. It has had vi...

**Lesson 6: IMPACTS OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY\ \ The Impacts of Tourism and Hospitality** The tourism has evolved from ancient times until today but the rapid growth of tourism and hospitality in the twentieth century has produced both problems and benefits for destination countries. It has had visible impacts on the sociocultural and socioeconomic environment. Although tourism and hospitality can bring economic advantages to a destination country, it also brings with it serious long-term problems which, without careful control and planning, can threaten the community.\ \ **Key Perspective on Tourism Impacts:\ **- Impacts are multi-faceted\ - Tourism impacts can be categorized into three; economic, socio-cultural and environment\ - It can be positive (beneficial) or negative (detrimental)\ - The impacts also depends on the value and judgement of the observer\ \ **Types of Tourism Impacts\ **- Economic Impacts\ - Socio-cultural Impacts\ - Environmental Impacts\ \ \ **Tourism and its Economic Impacts** **Positive Impacts** - Foreign Exchange Earnings - Contribution to Government Revenues - Generation of Employment - Balance of Payment/Trade Account Balance - Stimulation of Infrastructure Investment - Contribution to Local Economies **Negative Impacts** - Inflation - Opportunity Costs - Dependency - Seasonality - Leakage - Enclave Tourism - Seasonal Character of Jobs - Prostitution and the Underground Economy **\ \ Tourism and its socio-cultural Impacts\ \ Positive/Benefits** - Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage - Revival of Traditional Arts and Crafts - Cultivation of Cultural Pride and Sense of Identity - Cross-Cultural Exchange **Negative/Costs** - Loss of Cultural Character - Loss of Authenticity and Meaning of Traditional Arts and Crafts - Commercialization of Human Relationships Tourism- related companies realized that turning green makes good business sense. The German tourism industry experience **[Hotel Sector\ ]-** Installing water saving devices;\ - Abolishing individually wrapped food items at the breakfast buffet;\ - Using recycled paper and reusable bottles\ - (Atrium Suites Manila)\ \ **[Resorts\ ]**- Decreasing automobile traffic in resorts, clinic and recreational zones by constructing parking areas side of the central areas and using electric buses\ - (Club Noah Isabelle, El Nido, Palawan)\ **[\ Travel Agencies\ ]**- Publication of brochure offering tips and information on species protection and environmentally proper behavior to vacationers.\ \ **[Transportations]**\ - Use high capacity airplanes to reduce noise and emissions of pollutants and fuel consumption.\ - "Garbage return initiative" LTU International Airways' ecobag\ \ **[Cities and Towns\ ]**- Use of solar energy\ - Replacing regular light bulbs for energy-saving bulbs\ - Promoting bicycles for inner city transport\ - Use of rain water\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ **Economic Impacts of Tourism** **Positive Impacts:** - **Foreign Exchange Earnings**: Tourism attracts international visitors, bringing foreign currencies into the destination country, which strengthens the economy. - **Government Revenue**: Taxes from tourism-related activities, such as accommodations, transportation, and attractions, generate funds for public services and infrastructure projects. - **Job Creation**: The tourism sector creates direct and indirect employment opportunities in areas such as hospitality, retail, and transportation. - **Trade Balance Improvement**: Tourism revenue offsets trade deficits by contributing to the balance of payments. - **Infrastructure Development**: Increased demand from tourists leads to investments in roads, airports, utilities, and public facilities, which also benefit locals. - **Local Economic Growth**: Small and medium-sized enterprises, like souvenir shops and local restaurants, thrive in tourist areas, boosting the community's income. **Negative Impacts:** - **Inflation**: High demand for goods and services during peak tourist seasons often raises prices, making essentials less affordable for locals. - **Opportunity Costs**: Resources allocated to tourism might limit investment in other critical sectors such as education and healthcare. - **Economic Dependency**: Overreliance on tourism makes destinations vulnerable to disruptions caused by natural disasters, political instability, or global crises like pandemics. - **Seasonality**: Tourism's seasonal nature results in income instability, with high revenues during peak seasons and economic slowdowns in off-peak periods. - **Revenue Leakage**: A significant portion of tourism earnings often goes to foreign companies managing hotels, airlines, and other services, reducing local benefits. - **Enclave Tourism**: Isolated resorts restrict tourists' interaction with the local economy, limiting the distribution of economic gains. - **Prostitution and Underground Economy**: Unregulated tourism can give rise to illegal activities, harming the community's social fabric. **Sociocultural Impacts of Tourism** **Positive Impacts:** - **Cultural Preservation**: Tourism provides funds to restore and maintain historical sites, monuments, and traditional practices. - **Revival of Arts and Crafts**: Increased demand for cultural souvenirs and performances helps sustain traditional crafts and skills. - **Cultural Identity and Pride**: Tourism promotes awareness and appreciation of a community's heritage, fostering pride among residents. - **Cross-Cultural Exchange**: Interaction between tourists and locals encourages mutual understanding, reducing prejudices and fostering global connections. **Negative Impacts:** - **Loss of Cultural Identity**: The influx of tourists can dilute traditions and lead to the adoption of foreign lifestyles. - **Loss of Authenticity**: Traditional practices may become staged performances for tourists, losing their original meaning. - **Commercialization of Relationships**: Interactions between tourists and locals can become transactional rather than genuine. - **Conflicts and Misunderstandings**: Differences in cultural norms, behaviors, and expectations between tourists and locals can create tensions. **Environmental Impacts of Tourism** **Perspectives on Interaction:** 1. **Tourist-Environment Interaction**: Activities like trekking, diving, and wildlife viewing affect natural landscapes and ecosystems. 2. **Tourist-Host Interaction**: Tourists' behavior influences locals' views on environmental protection. 3. **Host-Environment Interaction**: Locals adapt their use of natural resources to meet tourist demands, which can lead to environmental strain. **Positive Impacts:** - **Environmental Awareness**: Tourism raises awareness about the importance of preserving natural areas, motivating conservation efforts. - **Enhancement of Local Environment**: Beautification projects to attract tourists improve the quality of local surroundings. - **Wildlife Protection**: Revenue from tourism funds wildlife conservation initiatives and protected areas. **Negative Impacts:** - **Inappropriate Development**: Over construction damages ecosystems and disrupts biodiversity. - **Habitat Loss**: Infrastructure projects like hotels and roads encroach on wildlife habitats. - **Pollution**: Increased waste, water usage, and carbon emissions harm natural resources. - **Overcrowding and Congestion**: Large numbers of tourists strain infrastructure and degrade the quality of life for locals. - **Environmental Activities**: Activities such as off-road driving or unregulated diving harm fragile ecosystems. **Tourism, Global Warming, and Climate Change** Tourism contributes between **3% and 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions**, significantly impacting climate change. - The **Kyoto Protocol** emphasizes the need to reduce emissions and manage tourism's environmental footprint. - Climate change affects tourism through: - **Rising Temperatures**: Destinations with extreme summer heat, like parts of Europe, may experience declining visitor numbers. - **Damaged Ecosystems**: Coral reefs and other natural attractions may deteriorate due to rising temperatures. - **Shorter Ski Seasons**: Alpine areas may face reduced snow cover, shortening skiing seasons. - **Reversed Seasonality**: A growing preference for cooler summer destinations could disrupt traditional tourism patterns. **Measures to Minimize Environmental Damage** 1. **Hotel Sector**: - Installing water-saving devices. - Replacing single-use items with sustainable alternatives. - Using recycled materials and reusable products. - Example: **Atrium Suites Manila** practices green hospitality. 2. **Resorts**: - Reducing car traffic by using electric buses and centralized parking areas. - Example: **Club Noah Isabelle** in El Nido, Palawan, integrates eco-friendly transport systems. 3. **Travel Agencies**: - Educating tourists about species protection and eco-friendly behavior through brochures and guides. 4. **Transportation**: - Promoting high-capacity, fuel-efficient airplanes to reduce emissions. - Example: LTU International Airways' "Garbage Return Initiative." 5. **Cities and Towns**: - Using solar energy and energy-saving technologies like LED lights. - Encouraging bicycles for inner-city transport. - Implementing rainwater harvesting systems.