Impact of Growing Tourism on a Local Environment - Sydney - Case Study Example

Impact of Growing Tourism on a Local Environment Name: Institution: Introduction Statement of research There is theoretical information on the impact of tourism on the local environment. This paper will engage in an investigation aimed at realising the situation in Sydney. An increase in the growth rate of tourism in Sydney, Australia, may have varied impacts on various sectors of the economy. The paper will conduct its investigative role through a questionnaire based survey on sample businessmen in Sydney. In addition, the paper will also be engaged in in-depth literature review. Through these methods, the paper will highlight the role of tourism in different sectors of the economy. This will be a process of validating theoretical assumptions. Literature review A growth in the tourism sector is considered to be economically beneficial to the local environment. This is because tourism is one means of foreign exchange which can deeply permeate a local economy (Malviya, 2005). It is important to note in local areas where there are tourism destination sites, tourism is considered as a labour-intensive industry considering that most participant in this sector are micro or small business operators (Burns & Novelli, 2008). This means that any economic effect can be felt at a relatively faster rate through local spending. It is also noteworthy that for local environments that do not have the potential of becoming successful tourism destination sites, and have the attitude of committing this sector to long-term development, there are underlying benefits that surpass those of economic growth (Malviya, 2005). The creation of employment is considered as one of the greatest economic benefits of any form off growth in the tourism sector (Malviya, 2005). This leads to the trickledown effect where an increase in employment opportunities coupled by growth in business ensures that every dollar that is spent in the sector generates more financial resources that can be spent in other sectors of the economy (Burns & Novelli, 2008). There are those sectors that benefit directly from the tourism industry and these include fuel, transportation, food and beverage, and the automotive repair industries (Malviya, 2005). Despite the trickle-down effect and other benefits that are associated with tourism, there are challenges which include the seasonal nature of tourism. In low seasons all these sectors experience fluctuating benefits which are often stabilized during high seasons (Burns & Novelli, 2008). From a general perspective tourism is a major tax contributor especially in those areas designated as tourism destination sites. Through the revenues collected the local authorities and ensure the development of other sectors of the economy as a way of ensuring a homogeneous growth of the economy (Burns & Novelli, 2008). Tourism is also considered beneficial to residents due to the provision of skills that are essential in the professional development of different individuals in the local communities (Malviya, 2005). These include lifelong skills such as an improvement on personal relationship and public relations (Malviya, 2005). These include courtesy and poise. Tourism in the local communities provides employment at a micro-level. The employment provided at this level provides the youth with the relevant experience for their future employments considering that customer relations and management skills are considered essential in the development of any economy (Malviya, 2005). A growth in tourism may also have negative and plosive impact on socio-cultural aspects of a local environment. The positive impact includes the available platform for cultural exchange (Girard, 2008). This is considered as a learning opportunity and it can also lead to borrowing of beneficial cultural aspects from the tourist. Despite the underling benefits, growth in tourism may also have negative socio-cultural effects such as changes or loss of indigenous identity and values (Burns & Novelli, 2008). This is considered a result of numerous factors which include commodification where local cultures are transformed into commodities and are fashioned to conform to the expectations of the tourists. Through commodification there will not only be a reconstructing of ethnicity but also a loss of community values (Girard, 2008). It is possible to perceive the involvement of tourist in cultural practices of their destinations as a way of promoting community and societal growth (Malviya, 2005). However, commodification may lead to the erosion of cultural identity especially if community activities are conducted and performed according to the demands of the tourists instead of their performance in the intended fashion for the intended purpose (Girard, 2008). Background and significance of the study Tourism makes a significant and sizeable contribution to the economy of Sydney. This is because tourism has become part of everybody’s business largely because Sydney is considered as one of the grates tourism destination sites in Australia (Tapper, 2006). Since the 2000 Olympics, Sydney was considered as one of the best Olympic and this explains why in Australia it is one of the most preferred destinations (Tapper, 2006). Through the Olympics Sydney was able to improve on its environment; there was also a boost in the city’s capacity to host more tourists (Grix et al, 2014). This was an improvement in terms of the accommodation and the provision of quality food services. In addition, developments in the transport sector not only stimulated growth in real estate business but also promoted the international reputation of the city (Grix et al, 2014). Until recently there have been there were complications in the measurement of the effects of tourists activities on the local economies. This was because analysis was restricted to crude and anecdotal evidence (Grix et al, 2014). However, through this study, there are different tools and methods of analysis that put some rigour on the analysis of the tourism industry. This study will go a long way in the provision of evidence based research on matters of tourism and the possible effects of its growth in the local environment. In addition, this study is considered significant since the tourism industry is considered as one of the fastest growing and a major contribution to the Gross Domestic Product of the federal and local governments. It is also important to note that the results of this study will also provide information on the perspectives of local communities on tourism. These perspectives will provide an understanding of the benefits and challenges that the industry faces. In addition, it will also provide a platform on how to address probable and existing solutions as a technique of improving tourism. Aims and expectations/ hypothesis The main aim of this study is to provide major stakeholders in Sydney with information concerning the probable and exiting effects of growth in the tourism industry on the local environment. This will be realized through fist-hand information that will be acquired by conducting a questionnaire based survey. The questionnaire that will include both closed and open ended questions, will seek the involved of a representative population of businessmen and the locals in Sydney. Questions in the survey will focus on different aspects of tourism and these will be defined by the dependent and independent variables that define the objective of the study. The independent variable include: the factors that influence growth of tourism and the impending implication of the growth of the tourism sector in Sydney. The dependent variables will include the role of the government and the local communities in the improvement of tourism. Through open- ended and closed ended questions in the survey, the study will envision the generation of solutions essential in addressing negative influences of tourism in Sydney. In addition, these questions will also seek solutions to the role of different stakeholders in the improvement of the tourism industry. The main objective of the questions will be to gain more information on the best ways to ensure positive growth of tourism in Sydney. The information also aims at acquiring information through an in-depth study of existing literature on the effects of tourism in the local environment. This will be driven towards acquiring information on the best techniques that different stakeholders such as the state government can employ as solutions to possible and existing challenges. In addition, this is also considered as a platform to realize existing gaps in the study of the effects of growth in tourism sector. Such information gaps will play an important role in the definitive of the objective of the study and the addition of more information in the existing pool of information. Ethical considerations This study endeavours to acquire information on the impact of growth in tourism on the local environment. This will be realized by conducting literature review and questionnaire based surveys (Loue, 2000). The principle of voluntary participation will be exercises in choosing those who will participate in the study. In addition, prior to the recruitment of participants and the collection of data the researcher has the responsibility of securing information consent from the probable participants (Loue, 2000). Ethically it is required that in the process of collecting data the researcher must ensure that there is confidentiality of information (Loue, 2000). In this study confidentiality will be ensured through implementation off stricter standards of anonymity. This is considered as a stronger guarantee of privacy and it can encourage participants to be actively engaged in the entire process (Loue, 2000). References Burns, P., & Novelli, M. (2008). Tourism development: Growth, myths, and inequalities. Wallingford, UK: CABI. Girard, L. F. (2008). Cultural tourism and sustainable local development. Aldershot: Ashgate. Grix, J., & Palgrave Connect (Online service). (2014). Leveraging legacies from sports mega- events: Concepts and cases. Loue, S. (2000). Textbook of research ethics: Theory and practice. New York [u.a.: Kluwer Academic [u.a.. Malviya, S. (2005). Tourism: Leisure and recreation. Delhi: Isha Books. Tapper, R. (2006). Wildlife watching and tourism: A study on the benefits and risks of a fast growing tourism activity and its impacts on species. Bonn: UNEP. Read More