Geography (0460) | Tourism

Study Notes: Theme 3.4 Tourism (Economic Development)

Hey Geographers! Welcome to the fascinating world of tourism. This chapter is vital because tourism is a huge part of the global economy, directly linking to how countries develop (Theme 3: Economic Development). You will learn why people travel, the pros and cons of this industry, and how we can make travel responsible and sustainable.

1. The Rapid Growth of Tourism

Tourism involves people traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, or other purposes.

Since the mid-20th century, the number of international tourists has exploded. Why did tourism become such a massive global industry?

Factors Explaining the Growth of Tourism

The growth is primarily driven by socio-economic changes and technological advancements:

1. Increased Disposable Income:

• As economies develop, people in wealthier countries (HICs) earn more money than they need for essentials (food, rent). This extra money is called disposable income.
• Analogy: If you earn $100 and only need $50 for survival, you have $50 disposable income to spend on a holiday!

2. More Leisure Time:

• Workers in HICs now have longer, paid annual holidays compared to the past.
• Shorter working weeks and earlier retirement also mean more time for travel.

3. Improved and Cheaper Transport:

• The invention of large, fast jet aircraft (like the Boeing 747) made long-distance travel quicker and more comfortable.
• The rise of low-cost airlines (e.g., Ryanair, EasyJet) made flying affordable for the average person, breaking down geographical barriers.

4. Better Marketing and Media:

• Easier access to information (Internet, social media, travel shows) makes exotic destinations seem achievable and desirable.
• The growth of package holidays (where flights, accommodation, and transfers are booked together) simplifies travel planning.

5. Longer Life Expectancy:

• People are living longer, healthier lives, meaning the retired population is large and often wealthy enough to travel extensively.

2. Attractions: What Draws Tourists?

Tourist attractions can be broadly divided into two categories: physical (natural) and human (man-made or cultural).

A. Physical Landscape Attractions

These are natural features that attract tourists:

1. Climate: The most important factor. Tourists seek specific climates, usually either sunshine and warmth (beaches, Mediterranean), or reliable snow (ski resorts, winter sports).
2. Relief and Scenery: Dramatic landscapes like mountains (for climbing and views), coastal scenery (cliffs, bays), or unique deserts. Example: The Swiss Alps or the Grand Canyon.
3. Water Bodies: Oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers. These attract tourists for swimming, boating, fishing, and diving (especially where marine life, like coral reefs, is present).
4. Vegetation and Wildlife: Unique ecosystems like tropical rainforests (for ecotourism) or national parks (safaris in Africa).

B. Human Landscape Attractions

These are features created by people or related to human activity:

1. Culture and History: Visiting ancient sites (The Pyramids of Egypt, Roman Colosseum), historical cities, museums, or attending traditional festivals.
2. Accessibility and Infrastructure: Reliable airports, good roads, and high-quality accommodation (hotels, resorts) and catering (restaurants).
3. Special Events: Major sporting events (Olympic Games, World Cup), music festivals, or conferences which draw large numbers of temporary visitors.
4. Shopping and Entertainment: Large retail centres, theme parks (Disney World), casinos, and nightlife.

Did you know? Most successful tourist destinations combine both physical and human attractions. For instance, the Caribbean offers beautiful physical beaches *and* human-built luxury resorts.

3. Evaluating the Benefits and Disadvantages of Tourism

Tourism is a service industry (tertiary sector) and a major driver of economic development, especially for Low and Middle Income Countries (LICs/MICs). However, it is not without cost.

A. Benefits to Receiving Areas (The Good Stuff)

1. Economic Benefits:

• Foreign Exchange Earnings: Tourists spend foreign currency (USD, Euro) which boosts the host country's economy.
• Job Creation: Tourism creates jobs in hotels, restaurants, transport, retail, and entertainment. Many of these jobs are in the tertiary sector.
• Multiplier Effect: This is a fantastic concept! Money earned from tourism is then re-spent locally. Example: A tourist pays a hotel maid; the maid spends her wages at the local market; the market vendor uses that money to fix his house. This boosts the whole local economy.
• Infrastructure Improvement: To cater to tourists, governments invest in better roads, airports, communications, and water supply, which also benefits local people.

2. Social and Cultural Benefits:

• Preservation: Historical sites (like old temples or castles) are repaired and maintained because they generate tourist income.
• Cultural Exchange: Local crafts, music, and food gain value and are kept alive for visitors.
• Increased Services: Amenities like medical clinics and modern shops appear to serve the tourist industry, also improving life for residents.

B. Disadvantages to Receiving Areas (The Challenges)

1. Economic Disadvantages:

• Leakage: This is the biggest problem. When large international hotel chains operate in a country, much of the profit often goes back to the company's home country. This money "leaks" out of the local economy.
• Seasonal Employment: Jobs in tourism are often temporary or seasonal (e.g., only open during the summer beach season). This leads to unemployment and uncertainty during the off-season.
• Inflation (Rising Prices): High demand for land, food, and housing from tourist developments can push up prices, making it difficult for local people to afford goods.
• Over-dependence: If a country relies too heavily on tourism, it is vulnerable to global events like recessions, pandemics, or terrorism, which can stop travel instantly.

2. Environmental Disadvantages:

• Pollution and Waste: Hotels and resorts produce large amounts of sewage and solid waste, often overwhelming local disposal systems.
• Resource Depletion: Tourists use vastly more water and energy per person than locals, straining limited resources, especially in dry or island locations.
• Land Degradation: Construction of resorts and golf courses often destroys natural habitats (like mangroves or forests) or causes coastal erosion.
• Traffic Congestion: Increased traffic from tour buses and rental cars leads to air and noise pollution.

3. Social and Cultural Disadvantages:

• Cultural Erosion: When local traditions are commercialised or changed just to appeal to tourists (e.g., traditional dances becoming fake stage shows), this is called cultural erosion.
• Conflict with Locals: Increased congestion, noise, or tourists behaving disrespectfully can cause friction between residents and visitors.

4. Sustainable Tourism and Management

Due to the serious disadvantages, particularly environmental harm and cultural erosion, careful management of tourism is absolutely essential for it to be sustainable.

What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism is the practice of managing tourism to ensure that the economic benefits are maintained over the long term, while minimizing negative social, cultural, and environmental impacts on the destination area.

Think of it this way: We want to make sure future generations can still enjoy the beautiful places we visit today.

Strategies for Sustainable Management

1. Regulation and Planning:

• Restricting development: Governments can limit the height or density of new buildings, especially near sensitive coastlines or heritage sites.
• Controlling visitor numbers: Implementing permit systems or charging higher entrance fees to sensitive areas (like The Galapagos Islands) to reduce environmental pressure.

2. Eco-Tourism Initiatives:

• Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.
• This often involves small-scale, locally run lodges and hiring local guides who educate visitors about the natural environment.

3. Economic and Social Support:

• Maximizing Local Benefit: Ensuring that local people are employed at all levels (not just basic service roles) and encouraging tourists to buy local goods and services to reduce leakage.
• Community Involvement: Consulting local residents about new tourism projects so they feel ownership and benefit directly.

4. Environmental Protection:

• Waste and Water Management: Investing in recycling programs and water efficiency measures within resorts.
• Protected Areas: Creating marine parks or nature reserves where human activity (like damaging boat traffic or fishing) is restricted to protect ecosystems like coral reefs.

5. Case Study: An Area Where Tourism is Important (e.g., Coastal Resorts)

You need a specific case study to illustrate these concepts. Let's use a typical coastal or small island developing state (SIDS) where tourism is the main economic driver (e.g., Maldives or similar Caribbean islands).

Attractions:

• Physical: Warm, sunny climate (reliable all year round), white sandy beaches, clear ocean water, and abundant marine life (coral reefs).
• Human: High-end resorts (built on previously uninhabited small islands), luxury dining, and water sports infrastructure.

Economic Importance (Benefits):

• Tourism accounts for a huge percentage of the country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and provides thousands of jobs, significantly improving the national income.
• Infrastructure has been developed, including a major international airport, improving global connectivity.

Challenges (Disadvantages):

• Environmental: Resorts rely on sand dredging which damages coral reefs. Increased boat traffic and pollution threaten the delicate marine ecosystem. Rising sea levels (due to climate change) threaten the very existence of the low-lying islands, making the industry highly vulnerable.
• Social/Economic: Significant leakage occurs as luxury goods and management expertise must be imported. Land scarcity means local fishermen or farmers are displaced by high-value resort construction.

Sustainable Management Efforts:

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Certain reefs are strictly protected from fishing and diving to allow marine life to recover.
• Building Regulations: Strict rules often govern how close buildings can be to the shoreline and requiring resorts to use sustainable waste disposal methods.
• Promoting Eco-activities: Encouraging low-impact tourism like snorkeling, diving, and sailing, rather than polluting jet ski activities.

Remember, when describing a case study, always link the specific location's features (e.g., fragile coral reefs) back to the general geographical principles (e.g., environmental disadvantages and the need for regulation).