Impacts of the Growth of Global Tourism (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Jacque Cartwright
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Social Impacts
Over the last 50 years mass tourism has expanded into a major global industry, which is still growing
An estimated 900 million people become international tourists every year (pre pandemic)
The main reasons for the rise in tourism is due to:
Improved pay and leave allowances - most workers now work less than 40 hours a week and have paid annual leave
Improved disposable incomes - normally both partners work, and this increases incoming money to the household
It is easier than ever to cross borders with agreements between countries
Transport is faster and cheaper than in the past
Communication - internet, social media etc. bring awareness of foreign destinations, booking of last-minute holidays etc.
Mass tourism has both positive and negative impacts on people, the economy and the environment
Impacts of Global Tourism on People
Positive Impacts | Negative Impacts |
|---|---|
Can help revive local skills and handicrafts | Loss of locally owned land |
Cultural tourism values people's heritage | Tourist's behaviour can offend local people (drinking etc.) |
Brings people together from all over the world | Tourist centres encourage crime, prostitution etc. |
Can spread the range of social facilities for local people | Displacement of people |
Major international events (Olympics) can have a positive effect locally and nationally - improved infrastructure etc. | Abuse of human rights |
Develops foreign language skills | Can erode local language and traditional values |
Ancient sites are brought to global attention helping to appreciate historical legacies | Loss of access to local sites - beaches, forests etc |
Might encourage migration to major tourist-generating countries | Visitor congestion at key locations |
Economic Impacts
Tourism has a large economic impact on a country - multiplier effect
Tourism is a service industry which indirectly impacts all other industries
Primary - agriculture and providing food or mining of materials to build hotels
Secondary - for manufacturing of goods - chairs, beds, towels, gifts etc.
Quaternary - research and development to improve facilities for tourists or management etc.
Tertiary - staff for hotels, planes, buses, restaurants, lifeguards etc.
Positive and Negative Economic Impacts of Global Tourism
Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
Brings money into the country's economy | Money often goes to big businesses and not locally |
Creates jobs for local people | Often low-paid, menial, seasonal work |
Brings new infrastructure to the region | Mass tourism causes congestion, pollution affects local businesses |
Provides tax revenues | Economic leakages are high |
Provides employment to poorer rural areas | Money borrowed to invest in tourism can increase national debt |
Can create openings for small businesses and support jobs in the informal sector | Large holiday resorts encourage tourists to spend most of their money in the hotel complexes, excluding the wider community |
Environmental Impacts
Impacts of Tourism on the Environment
Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
Can increase awareness of nature conservation areas | The local environment can be bulldozed and concreted over |
Money from tourism can be used to protect and repair the environment - better water supplies | Tourism creates local pollution issues - waste, littering |
Tourism may help preserve key areas or species - prevention of illegal trade and exploitation of nature | Tourist activity can disturb or damage habitats and wildlife- water skiing damaging coral reefs, ivory poaching |
Tourism helps fund conservation activities, therefore improving sustainable practices and environmental legislation - national parks | Increased greenhouse gas emissions from flying |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you don't just focus on the negative aspects of tourism, particularly on the environmental or cultural aspects
You need to balance your discussion or you won't gain full marks
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