Tourism around the globe can have a very detrimental effect on the local environment, if the tours/tourists are not taking the necessary precautions to protect it. This website will go into detail on some of the major issues with global tourism, and how it is destroying the environment and endangering certain species of wildlife.
Please watch a quick video on areas of the world where a tourism boom is destroying the local environment :
Please watch a quick video on areas of the world where a tourism boom is destroying the local environment :
The Effects Mass Tourism Has Had on Developing Countries
Of the top 20 favorite long-haul tourist destinations, 14 are in developing countries. Unfortunately, the infrastructures in these destinations are generally more fragile than those in tourists' home countries. Most tourists live in rich nations – 80% come from only 20 countries (Japan, USA, Canada, and 17 countries in Europe). Generally, these travelers are accustomed to plentiful resources, and due to a lack of information, they aren't always aware of how limited these resources are in developing countries.
Thus, problems can arise when travelers maintain their normal consumption patterns in places that simply can't accommodate them. In the end, someone is going to suffer.
One of the most serious (and, in some cases, devastating) effects mass tourism has had on developing countries has to do with water consumption.
The average amount of water used by one tourist in one day is equivalent to the amount of water a villager in a developing country would use to produce rice over a period of 100 days. Tourist attractions such as golf courses require a lot of water; a single course can use as much water as a town of 10,000 people. (Source: The United Nations)
Many all-inclusive resorts feature water-intensive swimming pools and hot tubs. Daily laundering of hotel linens requires a lot of water. In the end, this excessive use of water can lead to regional shortages, which leave locals struggling to find clean water just to meet their basic needs.
Most tourists would be devastated to learn about the hardships their journeys (especially to developing countries) can create for local populations. And many tourists would gladly change their behavior if they knew what a difference it could make for these people.
How does mass travel affect the environment?
Companies that offer "Vacation packages" can accelerate the environmental destruction. this is because they have special offers to favorite tourist destinations and bring large quantities of people to these locations (an example of a tourist destination that companies love to pump tourists into is Bali, Kuta to be specific). having most of the major tour, airline and travel companies having offers to the same locations leads to mass tourism, and locals begin to lose their unique cultural identities as they cater to hordes of tourists. The mass influx of travelers leads to over-visitation and can cause the degradation or even the destruction of famous sites and fragile ecosystems.
Of the top 20 favorite long-haul tourist destinations, 14 are in developing countries. Unfortunately, the infrastructures in these destinations are generally more fragile than those in tourists' home countries. Most tourists live in rich nations – 80% come from only 20 countries (Japan, USA, Canada, and 17 countries in Europe). Generally, these travelers are accustomed to plentiful resources, and due to a lack of information, they aren't always aware of how limited these resources are in developing countries.
Thus, problems can arise when travelers maintain their normal consumption patterns in places that simply can't accommodate them. In the end, someone is going to suffer.
One of the most serious (and, in some cases, devastating) effects mass tourism has had on developing countries has to do with water consumption.
The average amount of water used by one tourist in one day is equivalent to the amount of water a villager in a developing country would use to produce rice over a period of 100 days. Tourist attractions such as golf courses require a lot of water; a single course can use as much water as a town of 10,000 people. (Source: The United Nations)
Many all-inclusive resorts feature water-intensive swimming pools and hot tubs. Daily laundering of hotel linens requires a lot of water. In the end, this excessive use of water can lead to regional shortages, which leave locals struggling to find clean water just to meet their basic needs.
Most tourists would be devastated to learn about the hardships their journeys (especially to developing countries) can create for local populations. And many tourists would gladly change their behavior if they knew what a difference it could make for these people.
How does mass travel affect the environment?
Companies that offer "Vacation packages" can accelerate the environmental destruction. this is because they have special offers to favorite tourist destinations and bring large quantities of people to these locations (an example of a tourist destination that companies love to pump tourists into is Bali, Kuta to be specific). having most of the major tour, airline and travel companies having offers to the same locations leads to mass tourism, and locals begin to lose their unique cultural identities as they cater to hordes of tourists. The mass influx of travelers leads to over-visitation and can cause the degradation or even the destruction of famous sites and fragile ecosystems.
Air pollution and noise
Transport by road, rail and air is greatly increasing the mobility of tourists. A consequence of the increase in air transport in tourism is that now more than 60% of all air travel is now tourism related. therefore tourism is a major contributor in the globes air pollution emissions (green house gasses, carbon emissions). it is estimated that a single transatlantic return flight emits almost half the CO2 that an average person would produce yearly (lighting, car use, heating, etc.)
Transport emissions and emissions from energy production and use are linked to acid rain, global warming. Air pollution from tourist transportation has impacts on the global level, especially from carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions related to transportation energy use. And it can contribute to severe local air pollution. Some of these impacts are quite specific to tourist activities. For example, especially in very hot or cold countries, tour buses often leave their motors running for hours while the tourists go out for an excursion because they want to return to a comfortably air-conditioned bus.
Noise pollution from airplanes, cars, and buses, as well as recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles and jet skis, is an ever-growing problem of modern life. In addition to causing annoyance, stress, and even hearing loss for it humans, it causes distress to wildlife, especially in sensitive areas. For instance, noise generated by snowmobiles can cause animals to alter their natural
In addition, one of the main contributors to environmental problems are greenhouse gasses. The travel and tourism industry is responsible for about 5 percent of yearly greenhouse gas emissions. The impact of climate change spurred on by these emissions has already damaged some of the most pristine and beautiful tourist destinations and ecosystems in the world.
Transport by road, rail and air is greatly increasing the mobility of tourists. A consequence of the increase in air transport in tourism is that now more than 60% of all air travel is now tourism related. therefore tourism is a major contributor in the globes air pollution emissions (green house gasses, carbon emissions). it is estimated that a single transatlantic return flight emits almost half the CO2 that an average person would produce yearly (lighting, car use, heating, etc.)
Transport emissions and emissions from energy production and use are linked to acid rain, global warming. Air pollution from tourist transportation has impacts on the global level, especially from carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions related to transportation energy use. And it can contribute to severe local air pollution. Some of these impacts are quite specific to tourist activities. For example, especially in very hot or cold countries, tour buses often leave their motors running for hours while the tourists go out for an excursion because they want to return to a comfortably air-conditioned bus.
Noise pollution from airplanes, cars, and buses, as well as recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles and jet skis, is an ever-growing problem of modern life. In addition to causing annoyance, stress, and even hearing loss for it humans, it causes distress to wildlife, especially in sensitive areas. For instance, noise generated by snowmobiles can cause animals to alter their natural
In addition, one of the main contributors to environmental problems are greenhouse gasses. The travel and tourism industry is responsible for about 5 percent of yearly greenhouse gas emissions. The impact of climate change spurred on by these emissions has already damaged some of the most pristine and beautiful tourist destinations and ecosystems in the world.
Local resources
Tourism can create great pressure on local resources like mentioned before water, energy, food, and other raw materials that may already be in short supply. Greater extraction and transport of these resources worsens the physical impacts associated with their exploitation. Because of the seasonal character of the industry, many destinations have ten times more inhabitants in the high season as in the low season. A high demand is placed upon these resources to meet the high expectations tourists often have (proper heating, hot water, internet etc.).
Land degradation
Important land resources include minerals, fossil fuels, fertile soil, forests, wetland and wildlife. Increased construction of tourism and recreational facilities has increased the pressure on these resources and on scenic landscapes. Direct impact on natural resources, both renewable and nonrenewable, in the provision of tourist facilities can be caused by the use of land for accommodation and other infrastructure provision, and the use of building materials.
Forests often suffer negative impacts of tourism in the form of deforestation caused by fuel wood collection and land clearing. For example, one trekking tourist in Nepal (an area already suffering the effects of deforestation) can use four to five kilograms of wood a day. you can see the effect that this would have on the local environment with the potential of having thousands of tourists using that amount of wood each day.
Sewage
Construction of hotels, recreation and other facilities often leads to increased sewage pollution. Wastewater has polluted seas and lakes surrounding tourist attractions, damaging the flora and fauna. Sewage runoff causes serious damage to coral reefs because it stimulates the growth of algae, which cover the filter-feeding corals, hindering their ability to survive. Changes in salinity and siltation can have wide-ranging impacts on coastal environments. And sewage pollution can threaten the health of humans and animals.
Tourism can create great pressure on local resources like mentioned before water, energy, food, and other raw materials that may already be in short supply. Greater extraction and transport of these resources worsens the physical impacts associated with their exploitation. Because of the seasonal character of the industry, many destinations have ten times more inhabitants in the high season as in the low season. A high demand is placed upon these resources to meet the high expectations tourists often have (proper heating, hot water, internet etc.).
Land degradation
Important land resources include minerals, fossil fuels, fertile soil, forests, wetland and wildlife. Increased construction of tourism and recreational facilities has increased the pressure on these resources and on scenic landscapes. Direct impact on natural resources, both renewable and nonrenewable, in the provision of tourist facilities can be caused by the use of land for accommodation and other infrastructure provision, and the use of building materials.
Forests often suffer negative impacts of tourism in the form of deforestation caused by fuel wood collection and land clearing. For example, one trekking tourist in Nepal (an area already suffering the effects of deforestation) can use four to five kilograms of wood a day. you can see the effect that this would have on the local environment with the potential of having thousands of tourists using that amount of wood each day.
Sewage
Construction of hotels, recreation and other facilities often leads to increased sewage pollution. Wastewater has polluted seas and lakes surrounding tourist attractions, damaging the flora and fauna. Sewage runoff causes serious damage to coral reefs because it stimulates the growth of algae, which cover the filter-feeding corals, hindering their ability to survive. Changes in salinity and siltation can have wide-ranging impacts on coastal environments. And sewage pollution can threaten the health of humans and animals.