Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
local people have to travel further to buy their staple
foods, thus increasing their cost of living. Some holiday
areas have large numbers of second homes that are
only used for short periods of the year by their owners.
This is particularly the case in National Parks and other
countryside and coastal areas of the UK. The demand
for second homes often increases the price of all
houses in an area, making it diffi cult for local people,
particularly young couples, to buy their fi rst property.
Some UK National Park authorities are considering
imposing restrictions on who can own homes in their
areas as a way of improving the affordability of housing
for local people.
Weblink
Check out this website for more details
on the Britain in Bloom campaign.
www.rhs.org.uk
FOCUS ON INDUSTRY
KUONI'S RESPONSIBLE TOURISM POLICY
Kuoni Travel is one of the world's leading long-haul
tour operators, employing more than 7,500 staff in
300 offi ces across the globe. The company is fully-
committed to sustainable and environmentally-
friendly tourism activities. It regards the environment
as an invaluable asset and works with its partners
worldwide to help protect it for the future. Kuoni
constantly reviews its business in order to apply
socially and environmentally-acceptable practices
in all areas of its work. As it states on its website,
'As a tour operator, we believe we can contribute
to the viability of local economies. However, we are
also aware that tourism can have negative impacts
on the economy, environment, nature, wildlife,
social structures and local cultures. In the long-
term interest of host communities and our industry,
we will endeavour to prevent or minimise these
impacts'
. The company regularly updates its staff
and customers on its responsible tourism policy and
activities in the UK and overseas.
Activity 12.2
Carry out some research into the positive and
negative economic impacts of tourism development
in your own local area (or a nearby tourist area).
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P1.
Positive environmental impacts
Although the tourism sector is often criticised for
damaging the environment, it can sometimes be a
positive force for environmental change - the very fact
that tourists come to an area can stimulate activities to
conserve the environment for them. Tourism plays an
important role in environmental education by exposing
visitors to damaging activities, e.g. the destruction of
coral reefs, loss of habitats and forest clearance. There
is a growing acceptance in many developing countries
that it makes good economic sense to conserve the
wildlife and natural areas that visitors pay money to
see. Pressure groups, such as Tourism Concern (see
case study on page 366) and Friends of the Earth,
campaign for responsible tourism development that
is respectful of local people, their environment and
culture. Closer to home, tourism development can lead
to the improvement of derelict land and waterways, the
restoration of redundant buildings, landscaping and
environmental improvements linked to schemes such
at the Britain in Bloom campaign, co-ordinated by the
Royal Horticultural Society.
Weblink
Check out this website for more
information on Kuoni Travel and its
approach to responsible tourism.
www.kuoni.com
Negative environmental impacts
We have seen that tourism can have a positive impact
on the environment, but it can also impact negatively
unless properly managed. On a global scale, tourism
can have harmful effects on fragile habitats, such as sand
dunes, coral reefs, rain forests and mountain areas. In
Britain, the coast, countryside, towns and cities all suffer
from the pressures of increasing numbers of visitors
