Social & Environmental Benefits

7/30/2019 Social & Environmental Benefits

1/45

1

Social Benefits and

Environmental Impact

from Tourism

Dr. James Manalel


2/45

2

SOCIAL BENEFITS

OF TOURISM


3/45

3

Social Benefits

Tourism development in new areas creates

jobs for local people

Khajurao a remote tourist centre in theheart of MP creates employment for villagers

People ofKulu and Manali region in the

Northern Himalayas plenty of jobs to rural

people in hotels and guest houses


4/45

4

Social Benefits

Jobs to the local people

Employment to the villagers

Jobs to hotels and guest houses

Tourism related activities

Facilities for rural people

Entertainment for rural people

Amount collected can be used for the benefitsof host communities

Redistribution of wealthMore income and new jobs to the localpopulation


5/45

5

Socio Cultural Benefits

The socio-cultural impacts of tourism described hereare the effects on host communities of direct andindirect relations with tourists, and of interaction withthe tourism industry.

For a variety of reasons, host communities oftenare the weaker party in interactions with their guestsand service providers, leveraging any influence theymight have.

These influences are not always apparent, as theyare difficult to measure, depend on value judgmentsand are often indirect or hard to identify.


6/45

6

Socio cultural Benefits -- negative

The impacts arise when tourism brings

about changes in value systems and

behaviour and thereby threatens

indigenous identity.

Furthermore, changes often occur in

community structure, family relationships,collective traditional life styles,

ceremonies and morality.


7/45

7

Potentially Negative Socio-cultural Impacts

of Tourism-1

Damage to family structures and subsistence

food production.

Displacement of local people to make way forairports, resorts, nature reserves, historical and

other attraction sites, and other tourism

development projects.

Encouragement of behaviors such as begging,

touting, and other harassment of visitors.


8/45

8


of Tourism-2

Encouragement of urbanization and emigration.

Friction and resentment between local people

and visitors because of overcrowding and lack ofaccess for residents to recreational areas and

facilities.

Increase in health risks through diseases suchas AIDS, malaria, hepatitis, and influenza.


9/45

9


of Tourism-3

Increase in drug abuse and prostitution.

Open antagonism and crimes against visitors.

Commercialization of traditional welcome and

hospitality customs.

Loss of cultural identity.

Overcrowding and damage to archaeologicaland historical sites and monuments.


10/45

10

Socio cultural Benefits

But tourism can also generate

positive impacts as it can serve as asupportive force for peace, foster

pride in cultural traditions and help

avoid urban relocation by creating

local jobs.


11/45

11

Positive Socio-cultural Impacts of Tourism

May encourage attempts to keep culture and

traditions alive.

Traditional ways and goods may be restoredbecause visitors are interested and are willing

buyers of these.

Festivals staged for visitors help to keep local

cultures alive.


12/45

12

Promoting mutual knowledge and

understanding

Basis for reaching a greater level ofrespect and confidence among all people

across the world

Search for peace based on justice andrespect of individual and national

aspirations


13/45

13

Recognition of fundamental rights

Adoption of social policy which led to

the workers gaining annual paidholiday

Recognition offundamental right ofthe human being to rest and leisure


14/45

14

Protection of tourism Resources

Space, facilities, and values

Deterioration and destruction of tourismresources: need to stop

Need to protect the natural resources andenvironment

Protecting the historic and cultural sites

Tourism resources are part of the heritage of

mankindNeed to take steps to ensure their preservation


15/45

15

Spiritual element in tourism

The total fulfillment of man

It creates opportunities for better

understanding of each others way

of life and institutions


16/45

16

Image building

Afford opportunity to understand eachother better and faster cooperation

Improve the image of a country

Brings about positive changes for bothresidents as well as visitors

Visitors seek spiritual guidance from India

Economic prosperity and climaticconditions attract visitors.


17/45

17

Educational significance

Much of the international tourism haseducational significance

Close friendly relations between people ofdifferent countries and cultures

Better knowledge about host countriesFurther technological change

Brings about religious tolerance

Promotes spiritual activities


18/45

18

Cultural significance

Indias primary attraction has been itsculture, its arts, architecture, music, danceand history

Indias rich cultural heritage

Spiritual tourism in India


19/45

19


20/45

20

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM

The quality of the environment,

both natural and man-made, is

essential to tourism.

However, tourism's relationship

with the environment is complex.


21/45

21


Tourism involves many activities that can

have adverse environmental effects.

Many of these impacts are linked with theconstruction of general infrastructure such as

roads and airports, and of tourism facilities,

including resorts, hotels, restaurants, shops,

golf courses and marinas.


22/45

22


The negative impacts of tourism development cangradually destroy the environmental resources on whichit depends.

On the other hand, tourism has the potential to createbeneficial effects on the environment by contributing toenvironmental protection and conservation.

It is a way to raise awareness of environmental valuesand it can serve as a tool to finance protection of naturalareas and increase their economic importance.


23/45

23

TOURISM'S THREE MAIN IMPACT AREAS

Three main impact areas:

natural resources,

pollution,

physical impacts


24/45

24

DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Water resourcesWater, and especially fresh water, is one of themost critical natural resources.

The tourism industry generally overuses waterresources for hotels, swimming pools, golf coursesand personal use of water by tourists.

This can result in water shortages and degradationof water supplies, as well as generating a greatervolume of waste water..


25/45

25

Pressure on Local resources

Tourism can create great pressure onlocal resources like energy, food, andother raw materials that may already bein short supply.

Greater extraction and transport of theseresources exacerbates the physical impacts

associated with their exploitation.


26/45

26

On Local resources

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 expectationstourists often have (proper heating, hot

water, etc.).


27/45

27

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 onscenic landscapes.


28/45

28

Land Degradation

Forests often suffer negative impacts of

tourism in the form ofdeforestation

caused by fuel wood collection and landclearing.

For example, one trekking tourist inNepal(an

area already suffering the effects of deforestation) -can use four to five kilograms of wood a day.


29/45

29

POLLUTION

Tourism can cause the same forms ofpollution as any other industry:

air emissions,noise,

solid waste and littering,

releases of sewage,

oil and chemicals, even architectural/visualpollution.


30/45

30

Transport Emissions

Transport emissions and emissions fromenergy production and use are linked to acid

rain, global warming and photochemicalpollution.

Air pollution from tourist transportation hasimpacts on the global level, especially from

carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions related totransportation energy use. And it cancontribute to severe local air pollution.


31/45

31

Noise pollution

Noise pollution from airplanes, cars, and buses, aswell as recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles and

jet skis, is an ever-growing problem of modern life.

In addition to causing annoyance, stress, and evenhearing loss for humans, it causes distress towildlife, especially in sensitive areas.

For instance, noise generated by snowmobiles cancause animals to alter their natural activity patterns.


32/45

32

Solid waste and littering

In areas with high concentrations of tourist activitiesand appealing natural attractions, waste disposal is aserious problem and improper disposal can be a majordespoiler of the natural environment - rivers, scenicareas, and roadsides.

For example, cruise ships in the Caribbean areestimated to produce more than 70,000 tons of wasteeach year.

Today some cruise lines are actively working to

reduce waste-related impacts.Houseboats in Alleppey backwaters.


33/45

33

SewageHotels, recreation and other facilities oftenleads to increased sewage pollution.

Wastewater has polluted seas and lakessurrounding tourist attractions, damaging theflora and fauna.

Sewage runoff causes serious damage tocoral reefs.

Changes in salinity and siltation can have

wide-ranging impacts on coastal environments. Sewage pollution can also threaten the healthof humans and animals.


34/45

34

Aesthetic Pollution

Often tourism fails to integrate its structures withthe natural features and indigenous architecture ofthe destination.

Large, dominating resorts of disparate design canlook out of place in any natural environment andmay clash with the indigenous structural design.

A lack of land-use planning and buildingregulations in many destinations has facilitatedsprawling developments along coastlines, valleysand scenic routes.


35/45

35

PHYSICAL IMPACTS

Attractive landscape sites, such as sandybeaches, lakes, riversides, and mountain topsand slopes, are often transitional zones,characterized by species-rich ecosystems.

Typical physical impacts include the

degradation of such ecosystems.

An ecosystem is a geographic area including all theliving organisms (people, plants, animals, and microorganisms), their physical surroundings (such as soil,water, and air), and the natural cycles that sustain them.


36/45

36

PHYSICAL IMPACTS

The ecosystems most threatened withdegradation are ecologically fragile areas suchas alpine regions, rain forests, wetlands,mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass beds.

The threats to and pressures on theseecosystems are often severe because suchplaces are very attractive to both tourists anddevelopers.

Eg. Negative impact on coral reefs because of scubadiving.


37/45

37

Physical impacts of Tourism Development

Construction activities and infrastructuredevelopment

The development of tourism facilities such asaccommodation, water supplies, restaurants and

recreation facilities can involve sand mining,beach and sand dune erosion, soil erosion andextensive paving.

In addition, road and airport construction can lead

to land degradation and loss of wildlife habitatsand deterioration of scenery.


38/45

38

Positive Environmental

Impacts of Tourism

Greater protection of specific ecosystems.

More control of harmful economic activities

such as logging and commercial fishing.Part of visitor expenditures may be

reinvested in research and better

conservation programs.Greater understanding among local

residents of environmental issues.


39/45

39

Summary of adverse impacts on the

natural environment-1

A. Pressure on Natural Resources

1. Energy depletion

2. Water supply

3. Land use

4. Soil erosion


40/45

40



B. Harm to wildlife/habitat and biodiversity

loss

1. Trampling and clearance of vegetation

2. Loss of forest cover

3. Disturbance to wildlife

4. Damage to coral reefs

5. Damage to species


41/45

41



C. Pollution

1. Air pollution

2. Untreated wastewater

3. Solid waste and litter

4. Noise pollution

5. Aesthetic pollution


42/45

42

Keralas wetlands vanishing -1

Wetlands are vanishing in the State andErnakulam district has lost around 50 per cent ofits wetlands between 1993 and 2005, says areport of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

Wetlands have shrunk to 175 sq km in 2005from the 376 sq km of 1993 in Kochi, accordingto the board.

Kerala lost 94 per cent of its mangroves in just

22 years. The State had 70,000 hectares ofmangroves in 1975 and this has dwindled to4200 hectares in 1997.


43/45

43

Keralas wetlands vanishing -2

The State just cannot afford to lose any more ofits mangrove vegetation considering theecosystem services they render especially forthose living in the coastal areas.

According to experts, one hectare of mangroveforest would give ecosystem service wortharound Rs. 12 lakh every year.

The use of mangroves in preventing the damagecaused by tsunamis were also highlighted by theexperts, board officials pointed out.


44/45

44

Mangrove Ecosystem


45/45

Documents

Social & Environmental Benefits