UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SABAH FOUNDATION

TUTORIAL CHAPTER 7

(SOCIO-CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM)

INTRODUCTION TO ECOTOURISM
(MTM1053)

DIPLOMA IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT

Student Name: Student ID:

ESTERLINE BINTI KAPAT DTM23091017

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 26/11/2023

PREPARED FOR MS ESTHER JOAN

1. Discuss ways in which the tourism industry can have a transforming and dislocating
impact on the social fabric of host communities.
- The tourism industry can have a transforming and dislocating impact on
the social fabric of host communities. Here are several ways in which it can happen.
Firstly, it can cause social disturbances such as cultural clashes. For instance, cultural
differences between tourists and locals can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or
conflicts. This may result in tensions that affect the social harmony of the community.
Besides, the impact also causes cultural erosion. It happens when tourist
demand for local crafts, clothing, or traditions may result in the appropriation of these
elements for commercial purposes, potentially diminishing their cultural significance.
Moreover, tourism also can cause ecological disruption. High tourist
numbers can contribute to environmental degradation, putting stress on local
ecosystems and wildlife. This can affect the livelihoods of communities dependent on
natural resources.
Lastly, it also gives impact to natural environment such as flora and
fauna. For example, tourism activities such as bird observations and motion path can
cause breeding disorders. In addition, activity such as poaching and souvenirs that
made from animal body parts can cause loss or extinction of animals.

2. What is carrying capacity, and how are social and ecological carrying capacities
separate but related?
- Carrying capacity is a measure of the natural and artificial limits to development
beyond which significant harm will occur. Both ecological and social carrying
capacity limit the number of visitors. Ecological capacity has threshold limit for
visitor use and consequent incidental damage that a coral reef ecosystem can sustain
without being degraded. On the other hand, social capacity has limit to visual contact
between divers and snorkelers beyond which they become dissatisfied.
Reference:

1. Yusoh, M. P. bin, Mapjabil, J., Hanafi, N., & Idris, M. A. bin M. (2021). Tourism
carrying capacity and Social Carrying capacity: A literature review. SHS Web of
Conferences, 124, 02004. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202112402004

2. Dba, D. U. (2023, August 24). The positive and negative effects of tourism on the social-
cultural environment of a country. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/positive-negative-
effects-tourism-social-cultural-prince-mdusman#:~:text=The%20social%20and
%20cultural%20impacts,the%20environmental%20impact%20of%20tourism%3F