Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are also a substantial number of negative socio-cultural impacts, many of
which depend on the destination context (Mason, 2003). Generally, where
there is a large development gap between the host and visitor population, the
impacts are greater (Smith, 1989). This is especially so where hosts have to
adapt to western visitors (Nawijn et al, 2008). Socio-cultural changes may lead
to a breakdown in community structure and a variety of social problems.
With respect to environmental issues, the main claim of tourism is that it
helps to develop new facilities and conserves heritage of either a built or
natural form (Mason, 2003). Development of new facilities can be linked
directly to economic development and spending on infrastructure provision.
Therefore, should economic benefits fail to accrue, such facilities will not
materialize or subsequent funding for management and maintenance will
not be available. Conservation of heritage is assumed to result from its recog-
nition as being important for tourism. However, the natural heritage, in
particular, can be highly contested, with local groups laying claim to various
rights, such as hunting, that are in direct conflict with tourism. Where such
rights are bound up with local livelihoods, tourism can threaten local jobs and
subsistence (Tao and Wall, 2009).
Tourism was once heralded as the green sector for developing countries
to adopt, but a plethora of studies show the extent of environmental damage
that can be caused (Hall and Page, 2002; Mason, 2003; Mathieson and Wall,
2006; Page et al, 2001; Sharpley, 1999; Wearing, 2001). The negative envi-
ronmental impacts of tourism, for example, physical damage, increased traffic
problems, noise pollution, litter, overcrowding and destruction of heritage,
have been the subject of numerous studies (Hall and Page, 2006; Johnson et
al, 1994; Mason, 2003). Until the last decade, the focus was typically on the
local environment, predominantly using environmental impact studies in rela-
tion to ecosystems. This is perhaps because tourism depends on high-quality
environments and therefore studies provide insights into how to manage such
problems. Assuming impacts are minimal and that they can be readily man-
aged provides the basis for a good development opportunity. This remains a
contested area, especially in relation to land use (Mckercher, 1992).
Poverty alleviation
The UNWTO highlights the tourism sector as a major player in poverty alle-
viation (UNWTO, 2005). In response to the United Nations Millennium
Development Goal
1
to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015, the UNWTO estab-
lished the Sustainable Tourism-Eliminating Poverty (STEP) initiative in 2002.
The UNWTO (2009b) states:
The potential for tourism to play a significant role in the allevi-
ation of poverty is increasingly recognised by international
bodies and national governments. Its geographical expansion
and labour intensive nature support a spread of employment and
can be particularly relevant in remote and rural areas where
many of the poor live. UNWTO statistics show the growing
strength of the tourism industry for developing countries.
