An introduction to tourism and its impacts

AN INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM AND ITS IMPACTS The World is a book, he who stays at home reads only one page.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE• Mass tourism took place immediately following the years of World War II

as a result of:1. Rising standards of living 2. Increased leisure time 3. Development in transportation

TOURISM TODAY Today Tourism is the World’s biggest industry. It is a major contributor to global economic development, creating employment, and generating wealth.Reasons for the increase in tourism include:• More leisure time• Longer paid holidays • Greater affluence (people have become wealthier over time)• Improvement in transport • More advertising • Better amenities in tourist areas (comfort, convenience and pleasure)

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)

PURPOSES (DIFFERENT TYPES) FOR TOURISM

Leisure Tourism • Holidays • Places of natural beauty/mountains• Coasts • Sports• Religious• Education • Cultural/Historical • Cruises • Eco-tourism • Safari

PURPOSES FOR TOURISM Visiting friends and relatives

Business Tourism • Conferences and Training Events• Business meetings• Exhibitions• Trade Fairs

IMPACTS OF TOURISM • Economic Impacts • Environmental Impacts • Socio-Cultural Impacts

ECONOMIC IMPACTS • Positive Impacts

1. Wealth generation 2. Employment opportunities

• Negative Impacts

1. The loss of labor from traditional, primary industries2. Price rises in destination areas

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Positive• Conservation of natural and built resources (national parks and built monuments)• Improvement of general environment of a destination (upgrading street lighting, public

seating and litter bins)Negative • Water supply – water pollution• Physical erosion (wearing away of natural features, destruction of archaeological sites and

historic monuments)• Loss of wildlife habitats• Waste disposal (littering)• Air pollution• Noise pollution

SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS

Positive• Meeting new people and learning about different cultures • Contribution to conservation of an area’s cultural heritage • Enhanced program of cultural and social events • Formation of more sports and leisure facilities • Instilling a sense of pride in local residents

SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS Negative • Overcrowding (traffic jams)• Distortion of local customs• Loss of native language • Loss of traditional crafts and industries (fishing or agriculture)• Rise in social problems (tourists may behave badly, presence of tourists

may tempt local people into increased criminal activity including fraud, prostitution, theft and drug abuse.)

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF TOURISM IN MALTA

• Greater affluence • Greater employment • Social interaction • Rehabilitation of historical and tourist areas • Development in infrastructure

NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF TOURISM IN MALTA

• Conflict regarding land use • Overcrowding • Traffic congestion• Pressure on infrastructure • Loss of natural environments• Pollution (air and noise)• Increase in waste • Loss of traditional way of life