PART 2: Tourism in a Territory Helpful or harmful?

Tourism  It is one of the largest economic activities worldwide.  REASONS FOR GROWTH IN TOURISM: 1.Employers offer paid holidays in industrialized countries 2.Higher standard of living 3.Improved transportation (access to airplanes, buses, etc.) 4.Affordable travel (cheap plane tickets, all-inclusive, etc.)

Characteristics of Tourism 1.Business or pleasure 2.The destination is more than 80 km from home 3.You are at the destination for more than 24 hours, less than one year. 4.Money spent before the trip (bathing suits, suntan lotion, etc.) and it is spent on activities & services at the destination (hotel, transport, theme parks, souvenirs, restaurants, etc.)

Characteristics of Tourists  80% of tourists live in industrialized (wealthy) countries.  2009: 880 million tourists from Europe, North & South America & Japan  Have more money & more holidays  They also travel within their own country or their neighbouring country.

Types of Tourism 1.Beach vacations (ex: Florida) 2.Winter tourism (ex: Canada) 3.Nature (ecotourism/green) tourism  We learn about nature & the importance of respecting it.  This type of tourism has little/no impact on environment.  It also benefits the local economy. 4.Adventure tourism: risky activities like sky diving! 5.Cultural tourism (educational)  Visiting museums & historic sites 6.Entertainment (recreation & amusement)

Those affected by tourism… 1. Organizations (public, national & local) are established to promote tourism in a specific destination. 2. Businesses directly involved in tourism:  Hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, etc. 3. Media is responsible for: a)Promoting a specific destination’s attractions (museums, amusement parks, shopping centres, restaurants etc.). b)Reporting positive news (may increase the tourist population in that particular destination). c)Reporting political unrest (may cause less tourists to travel at that particular destination).  Take note that media can either factual or suggestive (persuasive).

4. Local population  Have a say in how many tourists can visit (Venice) 5. Permanent & seasonal workers 6. Tourists

Impacts of Tourism Host territories need:  Larger airports  More facilities & services:  Accommodation  More hotels  More restaurants  Entertainment  Transport  These affect the layout/organization of the region

Characteristics of Sustainable Tourism  Sustainable tourism is attempting to make as low an impact on the environment (affecting or altering the environment as little as possible.) and local culture (way of life) as possible, while helping to create future jobs for local people.  The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and the tourists themselves.

Is the term 'sustainable tourism an oxymoron?  The term 'sustainable tourism', like 'ecotourism', is considered by many to be an oxymoron.  Tourism in general depends upon and increases air transportation, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions from combustion placed high into the stratosphere where they immediately contribute to the heat trapping phenomenon behind global warming and climate change.  The overall effect of sustainable tourism is negative. What's an 'oxymoron'? It's a pair of back- to-back words or phrases that mean exactly the opposite.

1. Economy: Promotes local economy 2. Environment: Protects local environment 3. Social: Protects local culture 4. Low (negative) impact of visitors

Possible negative impacts of tourism 1.Pressure on environment  Natural: It is something that could affect the health/life of an animal. (Ex: a shortage of water, food, space, and predators)  Urban (city): Air emissions, noise, solid waste and littering, releases of sewage, oil and chemicals, even architectural/visual pollution. 2.Blocked transportation (traffic) 3.Demand for water & energy  Tourists consume water and use energy during their visit. Because of this, the local population may not have enough water & energy!

4. Loss of culture/traditions  Acculturation: partial or total assimilation of a culture after coming in contact with another 5. Deterioration of environment  Water, air, visual pollution

Positive Forces & Negative Forces Tourism is good when… 1.Raises awareness about natural & cultural preservation 2.Contributes to growth of local community 3.Source of income for protected territories 4.Encourages the protection & sustainable development of the environment Tourism is bad when… 1.Contributes to deterioration of natural landscapes & wasting of water resources 2.Contributes to poverty, relocation of locals, or loss of culture 3.Threat to native species &/or biodiversity 4.Causes marine &/or coastal pollution

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism  -2001: United Nations General Assembly established guidelines to ensure responsible & sustainable development of tourism  Reference for rules of visiting tourist areas  -Adopted by 57 countries  -Available in 50 languages

Vocabulary  Mass tourism: form of tourism that allows a large number of people to travel & support the tourism economy  Tourist destination: region that attracts a large number of tourists  Sustainable tourism: tourism that respects the resources of a territory & contributes to the development of local communities & cultural fulfillment of the people involved  Multinational: companies with activities in more than one country