Tourism and Social Cultural Impacts - Case Study Example

Introduction Various definitions of tourism exist. Tourism is defined by Macmillan Online Dictionary as the business of providing services for those people travelling for holidays. For countries like Australia, it has become one of the major contributing sectors in the economy generating large proportions of the national income and at the same time increase employment opportunities. The future is still bright for the industry in the country with possible future growth in expansion and diversification. The industry however has both the pros and cons impacts to various ranges of environments (Tourism Research Australia). Tourism impacts can be generally classified into seven categories with each having both positive and negative impacts. Different groups are concerned about different tourism impacts that affect them in one way or another. Tourism’s benefits can be increased by use of specific plans and actions. These can also lead to decrease in the gravity of negative impacts. Communities will not experience every impact but instead this will depend on particular natural resources, development, or spatial patterns (Glen 1999). Economic Impacts Tourism has been described as a global activity with local implications. We are all aware of the tourism potential to boost economic diversity and growth within their regions. The decentralized nature of tourism activity has the potential for reaching economic rewards to regional economies as the industry is dictated by demand rather than supply. A direct economic contribution of tourism to the Australian economy is generated where a direct physical or economic relationship exists between the visitor and producer of goods and services. The immediate expenditure of the visitors is primarily focus on direct contribution. The indirect contribution of tourism comes from other industries that are in one way or another connected to the tourism sector. This sectors include but not limited to; agriculture, transport, health care etc (Ap & Compton 1993). Alleviating common social and economic problems is enhanced by the potential employment and income generation opportunities for regional communities. Even though some regions benefit more than others, direct spending results into e redistribution of tourism income away from the cities and those areas with distinct tourism advantage. Local governments are stimulated by a strong and consistent tourism demand to improve regional investment and development of both infrastructure and other utilities (Ap & Compton 1993). The local communities’ living standards and growth in business activities are improved by the added attention to transport infrastructure, amenities and streetscape. Growth in areas such as banking, construction and manufacturing, police, and health services are likely to be initiated by added tourism presence. Tourism has acted over the years as a source of foreign exchange earnings in Australia. This has greatly favored and impacted the balance of payment of the country (Gunn 1996). Changes in both the environment and regional economies inevitably arise due to increased tourism demands. Increased use and added pressure on public facilities can often strain utilities and transport infrastructure even if extra income to local government is obtained from the industry. Extra revenue is also required to maintain the extensive infrastructure network arising due to growth in tourism. Shortages in product base can arise due to increase in demand for local goods and services outmatching supply (Gunn 1996). There is also increase of fluctuation in prices of goods and services due to the flamboyant expenditure behavior. There is also increase in cost of land and housing as a result of increased regional profile leading to influx of new residents. All these combinations of these impacts contribute to general increased cost of living for the resident population in the regional area (Ap & Compton 1993). There is a sense of antipathy created by tourism. Mostly, it is the airlines, hotels and other international companies who benefit other than the local business people and workers. It can be observed that most hotels import food to satisfy the visitors and would rarely employ the locals in the senior management positions. Local farmers end up not benefiting from the industry as it is supposed to be. As a result a sense of antipathy has been created not only towards the tourists but also the government (Glen 1999). Tourism Gross Value Added (by selected industry) Industry 1997-98 200-01 ($m) Air and water transport 3,235 3,910 Accommodation 2,388 2,765 Cafes, restaurants and takeaways 2,207 2,504 Other retail trade 1,970 2,288 All other industries 12,588 14,817 Total (rounded) 22,388 26,284 Share of Tourism Gross Value Added (%) Air and water transport 14.5 14.9 Accommodation 10.7 10.5 Cafes, restaurants and takeaways 9.9 9.5 Other retail trade 8.8 8.7 All other industries 56.2 56.4 Total (rounded) 100 100 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2000-01) Environmental Impacts Through tourism, it has been possible to effectively preserve several places with historical importance through their declaration as being heritage sites. Natural habitats and the endangered species have been conserved through rules and regulations set in the tourism industry. Revenues from park- entrance fees and other sources are allocated in the direct conservation, protection and management of sensitive areas and habitats. There has also been improved environmental management and planning of tourism facilities like the hotels which greatly benefits the environment. According to Neth (2008), damages and expensive mistakes are avoided by early planning for various tourism developments. In general, it is through tourism that the Australian government has embraced and place emphasis on environmental management. Public awareness and appreciation of the environment has greatly been triggered by tourism activities. This has also brought people close to nature and induced a sense of responsibility in its protections. Other forms of tourism like ecotourism and sustainable tourism have challenged the communities to have environmentally conscious behaviors and be actively involved in environmental protection and conservation activities (Glen 1999). Another adverse effect of tourism is the increased pressure on the environment’s carrying capacity of the ecosystem in each tourist locality. There has been increased infrastructure development leading to large scale deforestation and natural landforms destabilization. Increased tourist flow has also lead to increase in solid waste dumping and the depletion of water and fuel resources. Destruction of rare and endangered species is at a higher rate when there is increased tourist flow due to disturbance in breeding habits and trampling killing. Bio-diversity is negatively impacted by noise pollution, air pollution and water pollution from untreated sewerage from tourist sites (Girard & Nijkamp 2009). Social Cultural Impacts There has been promotion of peace and stability of Australia with other countries that act as stakeholders in the tourism industry. This is through the provision of employment, income generation, economy diversification, promotion of cross-cultural awareness and environmental protection. Cultural exchange between the hosts and the tourists is encouraged thus creating a more understanding and appreciation to other people’s culture (Sharpley & Telfer 2002). Social fabrics of communities can sometimes be destructed by tourism. There are high levels of undesirable and cultural change when tourism come into a given region in high numbers as the place is likely to lose its identity. Undesirable social activities like drug trafficking and prostitution are likely to be on the rise due to the high numbers of tourists who are willing to spend. Tension hostility and suspicion between the local host communities and tourist can be brought by tourism when there is no respect and understanding for each other’s culture and in general way of life. As a result, violence and other crimes may arise either against the locals or the tourists (Bachleimer & Zins 1999). Crowding and Congestion Impacts Tourist attraction sites usually experience peoples’ congregation. These concentrations are usually advantageous as they minimize sprawl. Historic sites which could have been left deserted and unattended are now interest sites and are kept renovated to suit the industry demands. Congestion however has negative effects as it leads to interruption of other businesses given that everyone is interested in the industry’s income generating activities. Thus, other important sectors of the economy are given little attention. There is no doubt that where there is a crowd conflict is more susceptible (Neth 2008). Services Impacts The service industry benefits from tourism as new amenities and recreational facilities are created to suit the tourists need and the locals benefit in turn. Service delivery standards also rise due to the presence of tourism. However, non-tourist recreation facilities are neglected as all the resources are channeled to the tourism recreation facilities. Due to competition from tourist activities, traditional services are forced to relocate given the prevailing competition (Glen 1999). Taxes and Community Attitude Impacts Local sales tax revenue is added by tourism activities i.e. lodging tax revenue. These can also be negatively affected as there is increased tax burden so as to expand and maintain infrastructure and other public services. The locals pride themselves in visitor interest and satisfaction in the community. Local resources are also appreciated and valued by the local rue to their importance in tourism. Negatively, extensive tourism activities in a certain area induce a feel of loss of community future control as the outsiders take over established and new developments (Dowling 1999). Conclusion Tourism growth focused on local needs, interests, and limits has the potential to greatly enhance tourism’s value to the community and help create a sustainable industry. The positive impacts of tourism far much outweigh the negative impacts. It is however advisable that the relevant authorities mandated in planning and implementation in the tourism industry creates a balance that reduces the negative impacts, benefits the locals and favors the industry’s growth. Embracing tourism forms like ecotourism and sustainable tourism have proved to put all these factors in check. Read More