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What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism is any form of tourism that aims to minimise negative impacts on the environment and to local people.
Key points
- Tourism can have positive and negative effects on people and the environment.
- Tourism is an important industry and can aid the development of low-income countries.
- Tourism requires management or it can become unsustainable.
The effects of tourism
Tourism is when people travel away from home for pleasure.
Tourism is very important for countries as it brings lots of money into a country but tourism can have both positive and negative social, economic and environmental effects on a country.
Positive effects of tourism
Social
- amenitiesUseful features of a place. built for tourists such as health centres or infrastructureThe parts of the built environment needed for a country to function such as roads, water pipes and ports. such as roads, water and sewerage systemsThe infrastructure that moves sewage or surface runoff (storm water, meltwater, rainwater) using sewers. can also benefit locals leading to a higher standard of livingThe degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community..
- For those that can afford to travel, visiting other countries provides an opportunity for tourists to meet new people and discover new places. This is often only an option for tourists from high-income countries.
Economic
- The tourism industry is worth trillions of pounds worldwide providing jobs and income to millions of people.
- It is estimated that tourism accounts for about 10% of the world鈥檚 gross domestic product (Gross Domestic Product - GDPThe total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.).
- Over 100 million people are employed directly in the travel and tourism sectorA part of the country鈥檚 economy.with hundreds of millions more employed in industries which support this sector. This might include baggage handlers at airports or farms who provide food to restaurants.
- This money provides income which can be used to develop and invest in schools, hospitals, infrastructure and new technology.
- This is especially important for low-income countries (LICsLow Income Countries. Countries that have a low income, such as Haiti and Uganda.) such as Jamaica where tourism accounts for 35% of their income.
Environmental
- Tourism is often associated with having a negative environmental impact although sustainableSomething that is good for people and the environment now and in the future. tourism can actually help to protect fragileEasily damaged. environments.
- The money earned from tourism, can be invested in conservation.
- Tourism can provide different types of jobs meaning people aren鈥檛 forced to damage the environment in order to make a living.
- Tourists can be educated on the importance of environmental protection.
Negative effects of tourism
Social
- Tourism can provide a source of conflictA serious disagreement between individuals or groups. between tourists and locals.
- Culture and traditions can be lost with the influx of new people to an area.
- If a resort is popular it can result in overcrowding and traffic jams. For example 20 million tourists in the UK visit the Lake District every year, causing major traffic jams in villages there.
Economic
- Jobs are often seasonalOnly for part of the year. and poorly paid.
- Money is frequently lost due to economic leakageWhere money leaves the country and ends up elsewhere. as hotels are often owned by foreign firms.
- If a country becomes reliant on tourism, it can make it vulnerable if tourists stop visiting.
- Sometimes tourist numbers fall due to natural disasterA natural event such as an earthquake or flood which causes loss of life or extensive damage., global pandemics, terrorist attacks or civil unrestAn activity such as a demonstration or riot against the authority of a country..
- Tunisia in North Africa has experienced a number of setbacks to its tourism industry. Terrorist attacks saw the number of visitors fall. The tourist industry began to revive as confidence returned, only to see a 60% decline in visitors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Environmental
- The natural environment can become damaged as tourists increase waste and pollution.
- New buildings may damage natural habitats and disrupt fragile ecosystems.
What is the estimated percentage of world GDP earned by travel and tourism?
An estimated 10% of world GDP is earned by travel and tourism.
Ecotourism
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How does ecotourism minimise the impact on the environment and local people?
Ecotourism activities minimise the impact on the environment and local people by building on a small scale and from natural materials.
Managing tourism
Tourism can have many negative impacts on a country and it is important, therefore, for it to be managed sustainably. This can be done in a number of ways:
Government legislation
Some governments put in place laws to protect their country or area from the impact of tourism. For example, Barcelona in Spain has a law that limits the number of hotel beds available in the city and has stopped the building of new hotels in some areas of the city.
Strategies to repair damage from tourism
Sometimes it is necessary to repair damage caused by tourists. Some areas charge a tourist tax, usually a low amount so as not to discourage tourists from visiting, but enough to ensure there is money to repair any damage caused. Japan for instance has introduced a 楼1,000 fee (about 拢6) 鈥榮ayonara鈥 tax that tourists have to pay before leaving the country.
National parks
A national park is an area that the country has designated for conservationProtection of the natural environment. and is protected by the government. In the United Kingdom there are 15 national parks where building is restricted. These include Snowdonia National Park in Wales, The Lake District National Park in England and The Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.
How many national parks are there in the UK?
There are currently 15 national parks in the UK.
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