The Tourism Industry - Report Example

ARTS Student’s name Course & Code Professor’s name University City Date Introduction Tourism industry is one of them most important industry in the global economy. Tourism has been found to have significance effects which maybe direct or indirect to the economic development in many nations as well as providing socio-cultural impacts along environmental effects. In developing countries tourism industry has aided in creation of job opportunities thus reducing the levels of unemployment and also it has been the source of foreign exchange. There has been improved infrastructure as well as development of social amenities and growth of small enterprises associated with tourism. In social and cultural aspect, tourism have enhanced cross-culture interaction which results to unity, exchange of ideas, and knowledge as well as giving a new experience both to the tourists and hosts. Recreational and sport centers have been developed and improved due to presence of tourists also it has brought the adoption of different lifestyle among the host. Tourism has indirectly played a role in environmental conservation, protection and maintenance of national parks, game reserves and all other tourist sites. Otherwise, apart from the positive effects on the nation, tourism has also been linked with many negative impact to the society. Rollins (2016: 391-425) argues that tourism has been associated with high cost of living through the cost of developing infrastructure not to forget the degradation of land causing the loss of fauna. (Mason, 2003) claims that cultures have been eroded and customs compromised due to the influence of tourism in which the moral values of the society are drowned. Lastly all the effects of tourism should be put into consideration in this dynamic society. Impacts of Tourism. Social and Cultural Importance Tourism have different effects on the social and cultural aspects of life to the people of the host country which are positive and also negative. Through tourism people from different areas or regions with different background and lifestyles do interact, exchange ideas and thoughts and thus gain knowledge and new experience. In this case, tourists tend to transfer their culture to the host and through adoption the lifestyle of the host improves. The hunger for more knowledge has been triggered among the people and thus they will for education which in turn leads to development of learning institutions. (Ryan, 2003) argues that tourism transforms the way people think after learning new things from tourists. Tourism has helped many people in a community appreciate their culture. Some people do disguise their culture which is their heritage, so, when the tourists visit them and take pleasure in their culture and their land, the people start to appreciate their own culture and take pride in it. This also encourages domestic tourism hence it inculcates the spirit of patriotism among the peoples of a nation thus people do embrace their heritage and even have the pride and confidence to talk about it. Many people in developing countries tend to move from rural areas to urban areas to look for jobs. By the development of tourist industry there are many employment opportunities created and even more opportunities for enterprise development are created as argued by Nadin (2010). It therefore attracts many people from different region with different ideas to live together in the same area code for the purpose of jobs and business hence it brings about national cohesion. Economic Importance Tourism plays a role in the economic development both locally, regionally and nationally. It achieves this through generation of revenue and creation of employment. Tourism is a source of income to the host country. Tourists from other nations come in with money which they generated from their own countries therefore the host country benefits in such a way that it receives money generated from the use of another country’s resources. While in the host countries the tourists pay taxes in different ways thus it becomes a source of revenue to the government (Buhallis et al., 2006). In addition they incur a lot of expenses for their well-being and therefore the money they spent continues to multiply in the host countries more than they are spent. Tourism is a source of foreign exchange earnings and it even earns more for the developing countries than the exportation of goods. The tourists may get into the country with some valuables which they may exchange with the local and as they buy goods using foreign currency they earn the country foreign money. Rollins (2016) and mason (2015) supports that as the tourists adventure and explore various places of the host country they may identify the gaps in various set up of those which may cause them get into great deals such as of business with the local people and engage into business contracts. Through this they may become the suppliers of some things when they get back into their country of residence Tourism industry employs many people more than even the manufacturing industries. It employs from unskilled people to highly skilled people in various departments, this in turn improves the quality of life among the people (Rollins et al., 2016). It offers direct jobs such as in accommodation, public transport, food and beverages among others (Turner, 2015) as well as indirect jobs (Tyrrell et. al., 2006) such as administration thus, it lowers the rate of unemployment. Tourism brings the necessity of creation and development of infrastructures and social amenities which not only benefit the tourists but also the people living around. Developed infrastructure defines the economic growth of the country this means that tourism leads to development of the country. Environmental importance Environment is the major element of tourism Sharpley (2006:22). Mountains, National parks, game reserves, lakes, beaches, forests are part of the environment that encourages tourists to visit their countries needs care. For example many tourists visit Kenya to see the flamingoes and in July they still visit Kenya and Tanzania to see migration of the beasts, therefore their habitats necessitates maintenance and protection. The government of the host country through relevant authorities such as the ministry in charge develops policies that ensures protection and conservation as well as rehabilitation of non-agricultural land. Negative Impacts. In as much as tourism create job opportunities, the jobs are poorly paying and are seasonal yet it may cause rise in price of local goods and services. The cost of developing infrastructure as an aspect of tourism falls on the government. The government expenditure is mainly from tax revenue which may result to increase of tax imposed to people so as to meet the expenses. This results into high cost living among the citizens (Muchapondwa and Stage, 2013). Taking Kenya as an example, tourism business is seasonal which implies that many staff are reduced during off peak season causing unemployment and thus they are financially unstable through the year. In social aspect of life tourism has been linked with loss of culture. Most of African countries for example Kenya are influenced by western culture such that when the tourists get into their country they tend to alter the culture of the host community. This includes language mode of dressing, behaviors and family structures among others. The people of the host country do adopt the western culture (mason, 2003) thus leading to deterioration of their own culture hence, violation of customs and creating a big gap between the old and the young people, parent and children (monterrubio, 2014). Increase in Drug and alcohol use and abuse has been associated with tourism. Not to forget the spread of STDs, involvement in prostitution and gambling. The tourists, while in the host country may use drugs and alcohol and also engage into sexual activities with the host. Since they are presumed to have money to spend it encourages some people work as prostitutes with them. Since the host will be introduced into such acts, even during the off- seasons they tend to spread the behaviors among themselves hence, loss of moral values. For instance the spread of AIDS has been linked with tourism among other STDS. During peak seasons, the prices of hotels drastically rise that restricts the domestic tourists to visit such places. Mostly you will find that such hotels are built near the beaches, national parks lakes and by rise of prices including entry fees it limits the host to enjoy their own resources. Through development of tourism industry, there has been destruction of the environment in many ways. Tourism activities and facilities has caused removal of vegetation (Marion et el., 2001) so as the buildings such as hotels can be built and so it causes migration of the living organisms, loss of soil nutrients and increase soil erosion (Hammitt et el., 2015) who was also supported by (Halpenny, 2016). This has resulted increase the importation of foodstuffs to fit the purpose of tourists which leads to reduction as well as loss of cultural food sources. For example in Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania are known to have the Big Five game megafauna such as the African lion and African elephant, African leopard, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros. Which are sensitive to change of environment among other animals such as baboon and hyenas (Millspaugh, 2007). Air travels causes a lot of air pollution thus increasing the greenhouse gas effect and also it causes water pollution as it was reported by the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) 2016. Conclusion In conclusion, the effects of tourism are not only for the local community but are also global. Tourism industry brings about many changes in the society which cuts across the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects of life. As seen in developing countries where tourism is the main source of income and a pillar for development, the negative effects can be under looked to allow for expansion of tourism industry. References Mason. 2010. Tourism Impacts, Planning, and Management; An Introduction to Tourism Impacts. Chapter 03. Rollins, R., Dearden P. and Fennell, D. (2016) Tourism, Ecotourism and Protected Areas. In P. Dearden, R. Rollins and M. Needham (ed.), parks and Protected Areas in Canada: Planning and Management (fourth edition) (PP. 391-425) Toronto: Oxford University Press. Muchapondwa, E., & Stage, J. (2013). "The Economic Impacts of Tourism in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa: is poverty subsiding?". Natural Resource Forum. 37 (2): 80–89.doi:10.1111/1477-8947.12007 . Moghimehfar, F., & Halpenny, E. A. (2016). How do people negotiate through their constraints to engage in pro-environmental behavior? A study of front-country campers in Alberta, Canada. Tourism Management, 57, 362-372. Monterrubio, J. Carlos; Mendoza-Ontiveros, M. Marivel (2014-01-01). "Tourism and the demonstration effect: Empirical evidence". Tourism & Management Studies .10 (1): 97–103. ISSN 2182-8458. Ryan, C. (2003). Recreational tourism: Demand and impacts (Vol. 11). Channel View Publications. Turner, R. (2015). Travel and Tourism: Economic Impact 2015 World (pp.1-20, Publication).London: WTO. Rollins, R., Dearden, P. and Fennell, D. (2016). Tourism, ecotourism and protected areas. In P. Dearden, R. Rollins and M. Needham (eds.), Parks and protected areas in Canada: Planning and management (fourth edition) (pp. 391 - 425). Toronto: Oxford University Press Marion, J. L., & Leung, Y. F. (2001). Trail resource impacts and an examination of alternative assessment techniques. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 19(3), 17-37. Hammitt, W. E., Cole, D. N., & Monz, C. A. (2015). Wildland recreation: ecology and management. John Wiley & Sons. Millspaugh, J. J., Burke, T.,DYK, G., Slotow, R., Washburn, B. E., & Woods, R. J. (2007). Stress response of working African elephants to transportation and safari adventures. The Journal of wildlife management, 71(4), 1257-1260. Nadin (2010-10-31). ""Culture for Sale!" - Commoditisation in Tourism". NHTV - Master of Arts in Tourist Destination Management. Retrieved 2016-12-20. Mason, P. (2015). Tourism impacts, planning, and management. Routledge Tyrrell, T. J., & Johnston, R. J. (2006). The economic impacts of tourism: A special issue. Journal of Travel Research, 45(1), 3-7. Buhalis, D., & Costa, C. (2006). Tourism management dynamics: trends, management, and tools. Routledge. Read More

In addition they incur a lot of expenses for their well-being and therefore the money they spent continues to multiply in the host countries more than they are spent. Tourism is a source of foreign exchange earnings and it even earns more for the developing countries than the exportation of goods. The tourists may get into the country with some valuables which they may exchange with the local and as they buy goods using foreign currency they earn the country foreign money. Rollins (2016) and mason (2015) supports that as the tourists adventure and explore various places of the host country they may identify the gaps in various set up of those which may cause them get into great deals such as of business with the local people and engage into business contracts.

Through this they may become the suppliers of some things when they get back into their country of residence Tourism industry employs many people more than even the manufacturing industries. It employs from unskilled people to highly skilled people in various departments, this in turn improves the quality of life among the people (Rollins et al., 2016). It offers direct jobs such as in accommodation, public transport, food and beverages among others (Turner, 2015) as well as indirect jobs (Tyrrell et. al., 2006) such as administration thus, it lowers the rate of unemployment.

Tourism brings the necessity of creation and development of infrastructures and social amenities which not only benefit the tourists but also the people living around. Developed infrastructure defines the economic growth of the country this means that tourism leads to development of the country. Environmental importance Environment is the major element of tourism Sharpley (2006:22). Mountains, National parks, game reserves, lakes, beaches, forests are part of the environment that encourages tourists to visit their countries needs care.

For example many tourists visit Kenya to see the flamingoes and in July they still visit Kenya and Tanzania to see migration of the beasts, therefore their habitats necessitates maintenance and protection. The government of the host country through relevant authorities such as the ministry in charge develops policies that ensures protection and conservation as well as rehabilitation of non-agricultural land. Negative Impacts. In as much as tourism create job opportunities, the jobs are poorly paying and are seasonal yet it may cause rise in price of local goods and services.

The cost of developing infrastructure as an aspect of tourism falls on the government. The government expenditure is mainly from tax revenue which may result to increase of tax imposed to people so as to meet the expenses. This results into high cost living among the citizens (Muchapondwa and Stage, 2013). Taking Kenya as an example, tourism business is seasonal which implies that many staff are reduced during off peak season causing unemployment and thus they are financially unstable through the year.

In social aspect of life tourism has been linked with loss of culture. Most of African countries for example Kenya are influenced by western culture such that when the tourists get into their country they tend to alter the culture of the host community. This includes language mode of dressing, behaviors and family structures among others. The people of the host country do adopt the western culture (mason, 2003) thus leading to deterioration of their own culture hence, violation of customs and creating a big gap between the old and the young people, parent and children (monterrubio, 2014).

Increase in Drug and alcohol use and abuse has been associated with tourism. Not to forget the spread of STDs, involvement in prostitution and gambling. The tourists, while in the host country may use drugs and alcohol and also engage into sexual activities with the host. Since they are presumed to have money to spend it encourages some people work as prostitutes with them. Since the host will be introduced into such acts, even during the off- seasons they tend to spread the behaviors among themselves hence, loss of moral values.

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