1. THEME 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNIT 3.4 TOURISM

2. Key Questions What are the reasons for the growth of tourism in relation to the main attractions of the physical and human landscape? What are the benefits and disadvantages of tourism to the receiving areas? Why is the careful management of tourism required in order for the industry to be sustainable?

3. Introduction Over the last 50 years, tourism has developed into a major global industry. It is the fastest growing industry in the world, providing over 250 million jobs, and generating income of over US$900 billion per year. It is the main source of income for 80% of the world’s countries. It plays a major role in distributing wealth between MEDC & LEDC countries and offers jobs/an income to millions of people with limited skills and education.

4. What are the reasons for the growth of tourism in relation to the main attractions of the physical and human landscape?

5. The Growth of Tourism In 2010, 940 million people were recorded as arriving in a country from abroad because of tourism. This is worth $919 billion dollars, making tourism one of the world's largest industries. (Source: United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO))

6. Growth in tourism measured by international arrivals

7. International Tourist Arrivals (in millions) 1990199520002005200820092010 Europe261.5304.1385.6439.4485.2461.5476.6 Asia and the Pacific 55.882.0110.1153.6184.1180.9203.8 Americas92.8109.0128.2133.3147.8140.6149.8 Africa14.818.926.535.444.446.049.5 Middle east 9.613.724.136.355.252.960.3 Tourism is also one of the world's fastest-growing industries. In 2010, the Middle East and Asia had the greatest growth of tourists. Europe still has the greatest number of tourists - nearly 500 million in 2010.

8. Tourism market growth in 2010 (compared to 2009) % change Europe3.3% Asia and the Pacific 12.7% Americas6.4% Africa7.3% Middle east14.1% Pages 197-199 of the handout give a historical overview of the growth of tourism and well as more recent data on the revenue generated by the global tourist industry

9. Reasons for the Growth in Tourism People in many countries earn more money and, therefore, have more disposable income. Additionally, most families now have two working parents rather than one. More people have paid time off work for holidays (on average from 2 weeks in the fifties to 4-6 weeks per year today). There is also a trend to have more than one holiday per year. The speed of travelling is much quicker than it used to be so it is easier to travel long distances. Motorways and railways can be used to travel quickly on land and aircraft can be used to get to different countries.

10. Reasons for the Growth in Tourism Improvements in transport technology also mean that the cost of transport has been reduced. More people own cars which gives them greater freedom to choose where and when to travel to. Life expectancy has increased in most countries and many people who have retired from work remain active and have the time and wealth to travel.

11. Reasons for the Growth in Tourism Television programmes and advertising make people more aware of how and where they can choose to spend their free time. The Internet makes it easier for people to search for and book holidays from home. There is now more of a choice of holiday destinations and many different types of holiday available.

12. The main attractions for tourism The physical and human factors found in an area may attract people (tourists) to the area. Physical attractions: ▫Those that are natural such as beaches, lakes, rivers, mountains, ecosystems, or an attractive climate. While many tourists want hot, dry weather for sunbathing and beach holidays, others may want to get away from the heat or travel to destinations where there is snow for winter sports activities. Human attractions: ▫These have been made by people such as historical buildings, monuments, theatres and theme parks.

13. Types of Tourism Environmental: places with unique very attractive environments/landscapes attract many people. Safaris in National Parks such as the Serengeti, Tanzania, East Africa are an example. Historical: Rome, Athens and Egypt attract vast numbers of tourist interested in seeing the ancient civilizations buildings. Cultural: countries with strong cultures such as Guatemala attract many visitors who wish to see and experience it. Adrenaline: adventure and adrenaline sports enthusiasts travel the world for sports such as mountain climbing & whitewater rafting. Relaxing: beach resorts can be found globally and are very popular as tourists want to soak up the sun, swim in the sea & pools and forget about the daily routine at home. Medical: increasing numbers of people travel to other countries to take advantage of high quality but much cheaper medial services. Many American & Canadians travel & stay in Costa Rica for medical purposes.

14. What are the benefits and disadvantages of tourism to the receiving areas?

15. The impacts of tourism Tourism is one of the major elements in the process of globalisation and has far-reaching economic and environmental impacts across the world. In both MEDCs and LEDCs, tourism has benefits and disadvantages. It brings overseas investment and economic growth into an area, creating work for local residents. ▫For example, 30% of all people in the Bahamas are directly employed in tourism, and if those indirectly employed are added, this rises to about 64%.

16. Benefits of tourism Employment is generated for many local people, including formal work in the construction sector (e.g. building hotels) or the service sector (working in restaurants); as well as informal work (e.g. selling fruit or craft on the beach). This raises their living standards. Local people can learn new skills and languages. Tourism benefits the wider economy as people spend money in bars, restaurants and other local businesses. It can have a positive multiplier effect.

17. Benefits of tourism The infrastructure of the area is developed as new roads, airports, electricity, water supplies and sanitation are provided for tourists. These also benefit local residents. In come from tourism may be used to help protect the natural environment e.g. national parks and wildlife conservation areas) and historical buildings.

18. Benefits of tourism Tourism may help to preserve local cultures and festivals as they become tourist attractions. Foreign currency earned and taxes raised from tourism can be invested in education and health care.

19. Disadvantages of tourism Jobs for locals are often poorly paid, with long hours and poor working conditions. Tour companies often use foreign managers to do the highly paid jobs. In some instances, the employment is seasonal and people can only earn money for part of the year. Transnational tour companies, travel agents, airlines and hotels get most of the money paid for the holiday, so only a small amount gets to the local people.

20. Disadvantages of tourism Tourists coming to a country in large numbers may damage the natural environment and destroy or disturb wildlife and habitats. Natural vegetation is removed to build tourist facilities and tourists cause problems like litter, water and air pollution, destruction of coral reefs and footpath erosion.

21. Disadvantages of tourism Local cultures could be changed by tourism as locals imitate tourist behaviour. Traditional cultures may become ‘westernised’ and others become a show for tourists to watch. Supplying water for tourist can leave local people, plants and animals short of water. Land and property prices rise which makes houses too expensive for locals.

22. Disadvantages of tourism Areas of settlement, local fishing grounds and good quality farmland may be lost when hotels and other tourist facilities are built. Tourism can easily be affected by local and world events (e.g. economic recession, terrorism natural disasters) and the number of tourists can drop quickly. Tourism may increase the crime rate or cause conflicts as illegal economic activities may develop such as drugs, sex tourism, alcohol abuse and trade in endangered species.

23. Hosts’ AttitudeCharacteristics EUPHORIA Initial phase of development, enthusiasm, visitors & investors welcome, opportunities for local participation, little planning or control mechanism – exploration, flows of money and interesting contacts APATHY Visitors taken for granted, contacts between residents & outsiders more formal (commercial), planning concerned mostly with marketing, more interest in profits IRRITATION Saturation points approached, “hosts” have misgivings about tourism, encroachment on local way of life, policy makers attempt solutions via increasing infrastructure (rather than limiting growth) - critical on Butler’s curve ANATAGONISM Irritations openly expressed, visitors seen as cause of all problems, planning now remedial but promotion increased to offset deteriorating reputation of destination, mutual politeness gives way to antagonism FINAL LEVEL Irreversible changes to environment, resource base and type of tourist have also changed. Destination will thrive if large enough o cope with mass tourism. Doxey’s ‘Index of Irritation’ or ‘Irridex’ (1975) shows how attitudes to tourism can change over time. It emphasises some of the socio-cultural disadvantages of tourism

24. Why is the careful management of tourism required in order for the industry to be sustainable?

25. Sustainable tourism Tourism has reached such a large scale in so many parts of the world that it can only continue with careful management. Thus, in most popular tourist destinations the stated objective is that tourism should be sustainable.

26. Sustainable tourism Sustainable development Many types of tourism are unsustainable because: Development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs. Tourists use large amounts of resources (e.g. food and water) from the environment. They create more problems for local communities than benefits. Resorts use large amounts of energy from fossil fuels. Many tourists travel long distances by air or car, causing air pollution. Many tourists only visit and area once and do not return. The building of tourist resorts, hotels and facilities causes loss of natural vegetation and habitats.

27. Sustainable tourism - definition “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, environmental and social impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities” (United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)) Examples of sustainable tourism include ecotourism, national parks and biosphere reserves.

29. Sustainable tourism - ecotourism Ecotourism is defined as: ▫“responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” (The International Ecotourism Society, 1990) It sets out guidelines for how tourists should behave when visiting fragile environments.

30. Ecotourism guidelines Protect the environment – keep to footpaths, don’t leave litter or start fires. Don’t interfere with wildlife – don’t scare or feed the animals. Protect resources – don’t take too many showers or use air conditioning. Support local communities – stay in locally owned accommodation and buy produce from local people. Eat local food and drink – avoid imported products. Respect local customs and traditions – do not offend local people by wearing inappropriate clothes in religious places or by not covering up appropriately on the beach. Try to learn the local language and show an interest in the culture.

32. Sustainable tourism – national parks A national park can be defined as a reserve of natural or semi-natural land, declared or owned by a government, set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, animal and environmental protection and restricted from most development. The first national park was Yellowstone National Park in the USA (1872). There about 7,000 national parks in the world. The largest is the Northeast Greenland National Park which protects 972,001 km² of the interior and northeast coast of Greenland. It is almost three times larger than Germany!

33. Sustainable tourism – biosphere reserves A biosphere reserve is an area of land or water that is protected by law to conserve ecosystems to help protect the world’s plant and animal species while dealing with the needs of the population. The areas were created by UNESCO under a programme called ‘Man and the Biosphere’ in 1968.

34. Sustainable tourism – biosphere reserves There are three main parts to a biosphere reserve: ▫The Core Zone, which is protected to make sure that different types of plants and animals are safe from human impact. ▫The Buffer Zone which surrounds the core zone and provides a space for environmental research, recreation and tourism. ▫The Transition Zone – an area for local communities to manage the resources of the area through farming, fisheries and other activities.

37. A Summary of the handout