What Are The Positive Effects Of Tourism?
Countries that depend on tourism for a huge portion of their income invest in safe and innovative infrastructure. This results in the development of roads, airports, parks and other tourist-heavy areas.
It also helps them earn recognition, making them known to more people which eventually leads to foreign investment and development. But, this can also lead to over-consumption of natural resources.
1. It creates jobs
Tourism is a major source of employment in countries and it is one of the primary economic drivers for many nations. It creates jobs in accommodation and hospitality industries, restaurants, local transport services and entertainment facilities.
It also allows people to travel, observe different cultures and traditions which can transform their perceptions of the places they visit. However, this can be problematic as it can lead to the commodification of culture and may have a negative impact on local society.
It can also cause environmental problems such as soil erosion, various types of pollution and natural habitat loss. It can result in over-consumption of finite natural resources which can damage a destination’s quality of life and even lead to wildlife endangerment or extinction. Tourists can also be a nuisance by hunting exotic animals as a recreational activity, which harms native species’ natural habitat.
2. It raises incomes
Tourism is a huge source of incomes for communities. Visitors spend their money in local restaurants, shops and transportation services, which enables the community to improve its infrastructure and services.
This influx of cash also creates job opportunities. Existing businesses expand their service offerings while new ones emerge to meet the needs of tourists. The money from this influx can be used to fund infrastructural improvements that benefit the entire community at every economic level.
Additionally, parboaboa tourists often visit heritage sites and attractions. This encourages locals to protect their cultural heritage and promotes cross-cultural understanding. This can also lead to the preservation of natural landscapes and wildlife. It can also encourage a sense of pride among locals. One such example is the Wallings Nature Reserve, which was saved from degradation by a local woman.
3. It reduces poverty
One of the positive effects of tourism is that it helps reduce poverty. This is because it provides people who were once unemployed with a steady source of income. These include people who work in hotels, restaurants, bars, theaters, zoos, parks, and other entertainment venues.
The demand for tourism also leads to more money being invested in protecting a nation’s historical sites and natural scenery. This, in turn, leads to improved living conditions for the locals.
However, the benefits of tourism can be offset by negative social impacts such as pollution and crime rates. Additionally, locals may develop a negative view of tourists, especially if their behavior is disruptive to the community or if popular tourist destinations are filled with garbage and plastic.
4. It boosts the economy
Tourism boosts a nation’s economy by encouraging local businesses to improve and expand. This includes the emergence of new retail stores, restaurants and entertainment establishments. These businesses also increase sales tax revenues, which help fund other economic development projects in a country.
Tourism also helps preserve and evolve a community’s culture. Visitors learn about a culture’s heritage and traditions, thereby inspiring the community to preserve these assets. Additionally, tourists can engage in cultural exchanges that promote understanding and unification.
However, a tourism industry that grows too fast can lead to environmental damage. This can be in the form of soil erosion, degradation of natural resources, waste accumulation, pollution and loss of biodiversity. It can also result in stress on the availability of water and food.
5. It raises awareness
Tourism often brings attention to beautiful landscapes, historical sights and unique cultural activities. This can encourage countries to invest in their conservation and protection. This includes regular maintenance of historical sights, protecting environmental areas and encouraging the learning of other cultures.
However, unsustainable tourism can cause damage. This can include over-consumption of natural resources, degradation of services and waste buildup (Azam et al. 2018; Guzel and Okumus 2021).
In addition, tourists can be a source of contamination for local wildlife. Sharing food with animals or getting too close to them can spread diseases like colds and flu. In addition, water consumption by tourists is a growing issue in many destinations, especially as climate change causes droughts. In order to reduce this, it’s important to buy local when possible and only use as much water as needed.