13geo_impacts_significance

=The Impacts and Significance of Global Tourism =

Global tourism is very significant for the modern world. There are few areas left in the world that remain untouched by tourism, and the significance and impacts are increasing as more tourist areas are developed. Global tourism has had major impacts, both positive and negative. These impacts have been in three main areas: environmental, economic and socio-cultural.
 * //Introduction://**

=1. Effect of Tourism on the Natural Environment=

1a. Negative effects on the environment
Tourism development can have negative effects on the natural environment. For example, depletion of natural resources, pollution and solid waste and litter. __ Depletion of natural resources __ Water, especially fresh water, is one of the most critical natural resources. The Tourism industry overuses the water resources for swimming pools, golf courses and personal use by tourists. In Thailand, an average golf course uses as much water as 60,000 rural villagers.

__ Pollution __ Air and road pollution are increasing because of the transport used by the rising number of tourists. Noise pollution caused by vehicles, not only creates annoyance and stress for humans, but also causes distress to wildlife. For instance, in Alaska noise generated by snowmobiles can cause animals to alter their natural activity patterns. __ Solid waste and litter __ Waste disposal is a serious problem and improper disposal can be very harmful to the environment. For example, cruise ships in the Caribbean are estimated to produce more than 70,000 tons of waste each year. Construction of recreation facilities also increases sewage pollution .This can pollute the seas and lakes and also cause damages to coral reefs.

1b. Positive effects on the environment
There are also positive effects on the environment from tourism. The tourism industry can contribute to conservation through financial contributions, protection and preservation. Tourism can contribute directly to the conservation of sensitive areas and habitat. For example, in 1999 in Costa Rica protected areas welcomed 866,083 national and foreign tourists, who generated about us$2-5 million in admission fees and payment of services.

Tourism can also significantly contribute to environmental protection and conservation. F or example in Africa there are lots of beautiful environments and lots of tourists wanting to see the environments. So the government wants to protect those environments to keep tourists coming to their country.

=2. Effect of Tourism on the Economy=

2a. Negative effects on the economy
There are many negative economic impacts from tourism. One of the worst is that often only 20% of the money goes to the locals when the other 80% go to large international travel companies, such as hotel chains and airlines. This is called //leakage.// This impact is not very good for the countries since the tourists have normally a lot more money than the locals and don't mind how much they have to pay for food. Because of this, the local government often expects the locals to pay higher tourist prices for the goods and services. Furthermore, the governments in the poorer countries often only invest a very small amount of money on education and health. In fact, a lot more money is invested on tourism.

The worst of all is the unemployed people. Tourism is often seasonal, with jobs in either summer or winter. There is no guarantee of employment for tourism workers from one season to the next. This means that it is difficult to make a good income from tourism. If this goes on like that, the countries which depend on tourism will become poorer and need to invest even more money on tourism.



[[image:20070228_2ba88c9a3bc5f72dc9acTvm3ponoEblE.jpg width="277" height="184" align="right"]]2b. Positive effects on the economy
Global Tourism can have a lot of positive effects on economies. Tourism is one of the top five export categories in the world and is the main income earner for about 40% of countries in the world. For example, China is holding the Olympics in 2008, so China will receive a lot of money from the tourists.

Tourism creates a lot of jobs. The rapid expansion of international tourism has let to significant employment creation, the hotel accomondation sector alone had 11.3 million jobs world-wide in 1995. About 7% of all the world's workers are in tourism.

Tourism also makes local government to start thinking about the city improvements, such as, better water, sewage systems, roads and electricity. This can improve the quality of life for residents and tourists.

=3. Socio-cultural Impacts of Tourism=

3a. Negative socio-cultural impacts
Tourism can change the culture and identity of a community. One way it can do this is by commodification. This is turning festivals and cultural dance and songs into things that can be bought and sold (commodities). These things may then not be respected as much by the local people. For example the designs on molas, the traditional blouses worn by women in Columbia, have changed to meet what tourists want. Now many of the old designs have been forgotten.

Another effect is standardisation. Many tourists want familiar things when they go on holiday. So fast-food restaurants and big hotel chains have moved into many popular tourist areas. These areas loose their local feel and become the same as everywhere else.

Crime is also a large problem in many tourist areas. Tourists have a lot of money compared to the local people of some areas and often carry expensive items such as cameras, watches and jewellery. This can attract criminals. In Rio de Janeiro many five star beach resorts are very close to poor communities (favelas). The hotels employ security guards with automatic weapons to protect their guests.

3b. Positive socio-cultural impacts
Tourism can also strengthen communities. Many cultures and festivals are much stronger now because tourists come to watch them. Aboriginal people of Australia have recently taken over the management of some national parks. They work as guides and rangers and educate people about their culture.

Facilities developed by for tourists can also be used by locals as well. Money from tourism can also be used to improve the hospitals and the transport system.This improves the standard of living of the local people.

Tourism is very significant in the world today. It affects people in nearly every country in the world. The significance is also increasing as tourist numbers increase and people travel to places that are further from their homes. Some of these effects can be positive and some can be negative; however, with careful planning and management, tourism can bring many benefits to the country and to local communities.
 * //Conclusion//**

=Good luck! =