International Tourism

Objectives

This unit will examine:

tourism as an example of global links and interdependence
the potential, and the problems, of incorporating tourism into a country’s economy and society
the opportunity that tourism could provide for sustainable economic and social development
the emerging alternative forms of tourism.

Background

The organisation and operation of holidays as a commercial enterprise is a boom industry, the largest foreign currency earner in many less economically developed countries, and often a major part of the economy in wealthy nations.

In Mexico, with 20 million international visitors in 1999, the tourism industry generated ten per cent of the nation’s income and directly or indirectly employs one in ten Mexicans.
Tourism is Britain’s fifth largest industry. In 2001 it is estimated that the decline in visitors during the foot and mouth outbreak cost the country Ł5 billion.

Employment for many leads to increased affluence and paid holiday periods in the West. The trend for hectic urban lifestyles makes leisure breaks even more appealing. Early retirement and increased life expectancy swell the number of tourists, too. The communication revolution has meant more awareness of what is available across the world, so some travellers seek new experiences in once inaccessible countries. Efficient booking by Internet, fax and phone, and easier, faster, cheaper travel encourages more people to venture forth. Latest figures show that:

there are 700 million tourist arrivals worldwide
ten per cent of people in paid employment work in the tourist industry.

Even small numbers of tourists visiting a region may create change, with demands for better accommodation, familiar food, and faster communication and transport systems. Tourism is an industry growing rapidly, so its impact across the world is enormous. It can bring advantages and opportunities, but also problems and issues if development is not carried out responsibly.

The opportunities

Many countries see tourism as a way of earning money from other wealthier nations, capitalising on natural assets such as sand, sea and sun. The currency is needed to boost the domestic economy and can provide access to a higher standard of living. Some countries use it to buy manufactured goods and industrial machinery.
Southern countries, where economic opportunities are scarce, are emerging as popular destinations. With improved international travel, they are becoming cheaper to visit and their weather is generally reliable. Traditional, less-distant resorts are often overcrowded and travellers are looking for exotic experiences.
Government projects for infrastructure (transport, communication and healthcare systems) may be supported by foreign investment. Funds are provided to conserve and restore old buildings. Locals may benefit from improved facilities and new leisure opportunities.
Jobs are created, giving options where once there was little choice other than farming, fishing or unemployment. Hotels and resorts need to be built and then staffed, and all the indirect services, such as taxis, entertainment, souvenir and travel guide production, shops, medical facilities, etc., generate extra employment. There are more jobs for women. Communities remain alive as people stay to work locally.
Markets are created for farmers’ produce and for traditional crafts, as well as contemporary holiday requirements.
New ideas and interests add to existing traditions and culture. A rich cultural life can survive, with audiences supplemented by visitors.

The issues

Economic

Resources (hotels, airlines, tour operators) are largely foreign-owned so profits leave the host country.
A dual economy is created. Generally, landowners, government officials and businessmen profit. Some local people near the resort benefit, but not elsewhere in the country.
Produce is imported and farmers grow different crops to satisfy tourist demand to the disadvantage of local markets.
Land is taken from locals with little or no compensation. The price of land and property rises beyond the purchasing power of local residents.
Provision of infrastructure is costly to the national budget.

Environmental

With lenient planning controls development can be unattractive and ecologically damaging.
Valuable water resources are used for swimming pools and showers.
Natural habitats are destroyed through overuse.
Pollution and traffic congestion increase.

Human

Jobs can be seasonal, casual and poorly paid. Some workers are exploited and traditional farming/fishing activities are displaced.
Crime, prostitution and drug use increase. In some countries, children are forced into prostitution mainly to cater for foreign tourists.
Many visitors have little respect for local traditions and religion. Cultures and sacred rituals have been exploited as tourist attractions.
Conservation of wildlife for tourist game parks can take precedence over the needs of local people.
The development of tourism in countries with harsh military regimes can lead to the abuse of human rights in itself (for example forced labour) and keeps undemocratic governments in power.

Emerging alternatives

‘Mass’ tourism has been the conventional model for the industry when holiday resorts are created, often at the expense of the natural and cultural wealth of the region. Visitors congregate in vast numbers rarely venturing into areas of the country that have not been commercialised for their benefit. Recently, Pope John Paul II described mass tourism as the ‘new form of exploitation’.

The Mediterranean is the leading tourist destination in the world, with 220 million visitors annually, and there is increasing concern about the negative impact this is having on local cultures and environments. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has stated that a new form of tourism must be introduced in order to halt and reverse this decline. They suggest:

protection of some areas for biodiversity conservation
no development at all in key areas
development that is beneficial to local communities.

‘Eco-tourism’ is the name given for the sort of holidaymaking they advocate. While the WWF’s main interest is the environment, organisations such as Tourism Concern look closely at the way tourism affects the people in holiday destination areas. It campaigns for an industry that is:

JUST: yielding benefits that are fairly distributed.
PARTICIPATORY: involving local people in its development and management.
SUSTAINABLE: putting long-term environmental and social benefit before short-term gain.

Source: www.tourismconcern.org.uk

Slowly, a new culture of tourism is emerging, which does not have the instant, vast profits of mass tourism, but does have the possibility of benefiting local people, enhancing and preserving their community and environment. Sustainable tourism will benefit tour operators too, since its profitability is long term. Mass tourism often results in over-development of a resort that then becomes unpopular and profits drop as quickly as they initially soared. Sustainable tourism sets out to train local guides, teach locals to respect and protect their environment, and to make use of a variety of locations within a region so no one place is over visited. Income for locals is increased but, in addition, their traditional way of life is respected. Some travel companies are proving that responsible tourism is on the agenda.

We believe that tourism should be planned and managed to enhance the destination's natural and cultural environments, whilst benefiting both the tourist and local community involved. We endeavour to monitor all local issues and advocate low-impact sustainable tourism wherever possible. The majority of the properties we recommend are of high international standing, privately owned and staffed by local people.

Source: www.nomadicthoughts.com

Useful websites

www.hec.org – Himalayan Explorers Connection
www.ippg.net – International Porters Protection Group
www.nomadicthoughts.com – Nomadic Thoughts Tour Operator
www.tourismconcern.org.uk – Tourism Concern