Tourists

- persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for more than 24hrs but not more than one consecutive year for
leisure, business and other purposes
Tourism
- activities of tourists
- international tourism: tourism outside of a tourist’s own country
- domestic tourism: tourism within a tourist’s own country
Different Tourists Destinations
1. Places of Scenic Beauty
- refer to many of Earth’s natural environments, such as mountains/rivers/valleys/deserts/waterfalls/coral reefs/rainforests
- become major tourists destinations as they attract tourists with their awe-inspiring scenery
- different from the built environments of towns and cities where many tourists come from
- provide opportunities for mountaineering (mountainous area have a unique combination of vegetation, wildlife, weather and high altitude that
draw mountaineers), hiking, cycling and swimming
- example: wildlife sites such as the plains of Kenya, where visitors are given a chance to watch lions, elephants and giraffes up close in their
natural habitat
- honeypot tourism frequently refers to tourism that attracts large numbers of people due to a site’s scenic beauty
- these sites tend to become overcrowded during peak seasons
- example: Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River on the boundary of Zimbabwe and Zambia in Africa
- attract an average 300,000 visitors yearly due to the beauty of rising mist and roar of falling water
- many tourist facilities such as hotels, shopping centres and transport stations are developed at these sites and the surrounding area to serve
the needs of tourists -> attracts more tourists to these sites

2. Places with Good Facilities

- these places offer a wide variety of facilities and activities that will attract and serve tourists
Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events (MICE) Facilities
- such facilities help attract a substantial number of tourists to an area due to specialised buildings for functions and accommodation for
visitors
- these locations usually have venues that can host large-scale events such as meetings and conventions
- have supporting infrastructure and services such as retail shops and hotels
- attracts organisers who organise trade fairs and international conferences, bringing in more business travellers
- some cities, especially those located along international air routes, are more successful in getting a share of the growing market for MICE
than others (cities associated with other attractions, coastal resorts, entertainment, shopping)
- example: SG was a top MICE destination, hosted important meetings, conventions and events such as the Youth Olympic Games in 2010
- MBS Expo and Convention Centre was voted Asia’s best MICE hotel in 2011 and 2012
Medical Facilities
- many people from DCs such as USA & UK, and some from LDCs are travelling internationally for medical reasons, to seek better medical
treatment than what is available in their home countries
- engage in medical tourism, when people travel to a destination, often countries with excellent reputations, to undergo medical procedures
that would enhance or restore health
- may want to avoid long waiting periods, high costs for medical treatment in their home countries
- may want to seek better quality medical procedures that may not be readily available in their own countries
- medical costs vary country to country
- a country will attract more medical tourists if it offers quality health care at affordable prices
- example: south korea is a popular destination for those seeking cosmetic surgery as it is renowned for its highly-skilled doctors and
advanced technology
Theme Parks
- places with amusement park settings or are attractions that have a central subject or theme, such as movies
- cater to a variety of people, including the young and old
- often a large-scale enterprise part of an international chain
- example: Walt Disney Company operates theme parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris
- Walt Disney World in Florida consists of 6 theme parks and water parks, 5 golf courses, dozens of recreational venues and 23 on-site
themed hotels
- attracted around 17 million visitors in 2011

3. Places with Rich Culture

Heritage Tourism
- when people travel to locations to experience different cultures and to understand the history of places better
- heritage sites and activities help reinforce national identities for domestic tourists, and also help promote a country’s identity, culture and
history to international tourists
- many of the world’s heritage sites draw millions of tourists
- some places are so unique that UNESCO has declared them as world heritage sites, selected for their cultural significance to the world and
their own countries
- example: 600 year old Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China
Film-Induced Tourism
- when people travel to see locations featured in films, although that specific name of location are not always used in films
- films can influence the destination choices of tourists, causing people to want to travel to places which have been featured in films, and
understand how certain scenes of the film were filmed
- curious people can also understand how these places inspired parts of the film when they visit these sites
- example: Avatar featured scenery inspired by Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China
- to attract more international tourists and ride on the film’s success, local officials renamed one of the park’s rock columns Avatar Hallelujah
Mountain and had special Avatar-themed tours for tourists to join
Pilgrimage Tourism
- when people travel to take part in a religious activity
- usually involves a journey to a sacred place (shrine/mosque/temple/church) that is important to a person’s beliefs and faith
- major religious holidays or events also play a big role in drawing large crowds to these sites
- example: annual Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest pilgrimage
- attracts over 3 million pilgrims that include 1.8 million from other countries
- religious duty for every physically able Muslim
4. Places of Conflict
- refer to areas where wars, battles, man-made tragedies and unfavourable political situations have occurred
- often visited by people who want to participate in dark tourism (tourism that involves travelling to sites associated with death and tragedy)
- who: survivors, relatives and friends of those affected, people interested to know more about an event
- sites: battlefields, fortifications, museums, memorials at locations important in modern history
- example: Cu Chi and Vinh Moc tunnels in Vietnam, tunnels which were dug and used in 1960s and 1970s by the Vietcong to hide from
American forces who supported South Vietnam
Roles of Different Groups Involved in Promoting Tourism
1. Government
- play a crucial role as they can influence the no. of visitors, length of stay, authorise air landings and allow the building of facilities such as
hotels
- often directly involved in planning, funding and building of infrastructure projects linked to tourism
- ensures the safety and security of sites that tourists frequently visit
- may also set up agencies that devise strategies to help promote tourism in their country (e.g: tourism marketing campaigns and promotional
events)
- example: STB a government agency that promotes SG as a tourist destination, develops tourism as an industry, facilitating tourism-related
businesses to invest in SG
- aims to develop SG as a leading tourism destination in the region for leisure and business
2. Media
- the channels in which news and information are communicated to the public, includes newspapers, television, radio
- positive reports such as cleanliness of place, friendliness of locals, attractive scenery will encourage tourists to visit
- negative reports such as natural disasters and diseases outbreaks will deter tourists from visiting immediately and for years to come
- influence the decisions of tourists to visit an area or a country
- makes tourists more aware of destinations that they have previously not considered
- example: visits to Antarctica, long distance cruises are growing in popularity because of favourable media reports
3. Travel Writers
- offer their comments on various media platforms (travel websites, travelogues, guidebooks)
- offer opinions, review and evaluate destinations for readers
- advise do’s and don'ts, include other factors to note such as accommodation
- reviews easily accessible from various media platforms, may influence the decisions of travellers in deciding their final destination
 4. International Organisations
- a group of different countries that work together for a common purpose
- reports produced by international organisations can encourage or discourage tourists from visiting a place
- example: organisation of economic co-operation and development (OECD) tourism committee (promotes the sustainable growth of tourism
as a tool for national growth and job creation)
- example: UNWTourismO (promotes tourism as a way for spurring economic growth and environmental sustainability)
- example: WHO (international organisation that provides leadership on global health matters, capable of influencing global behaviour as it is
the leading authority for health within the UN system)
- has provided situation updates and health advisories on H5N1 from 2003 to 2013, discouraging tourists from visiting at risk countries

Evolution of Tourism
- growth of tourism since 1950s has allowed tourism to evolve into different forms
Short Haul Destinations
- destinations that are a short distance away from the tourists home country
- usually reachable by car, bus, train or a flight of generally less than 5h
- e.g: HK (4h plane)
Long Haul Destinations
- destinations that are a long distance away from the tourists home country
- usually reachable by a flight of generally 5h or more
- e.g: Europe (12h-15h plane)
Mass Tourism
- travel that involves large numbers of tourists visiting a particular place together
- often takes the form of a package holiday
- due to increased affluence and leisure time
- since 1970s, package holidays have been a major form of tourism
- such holidays involve a tour usually arranged by a travel agent with transportation, accommodation and most meals included in the package
- includes the service of guides who speak the local language
- guides are also usually knowledgeable about the sites, habits, culture and history of places to be visited
- other sightseeing options may be included in the package at additional cost
Niche Tourism
- refers to special-interest tourism based on a particular area, interest or activity
- can be done by independent travellers or combined with package tours
- appeals to travellers who seek ‘new’ destinations, activities and experiences
- example: whale watching in hawaii, usa
Ecotourism (a form of niche tourism)
- responsible travel to natural areas the conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people
- involves visiting relatively undisturbed natural areas to help travellers better appreciate natural beauty and biodiversity
- provides funds for ecological conservation, enabling tourism to directly benefit local communities involved in tourism and fostering respect for
different cultures and lifestyles
- example: Waitomo Caves in NZ, famous tourist destination because of the glowworms that light the cave’s ceiling
- hailed as a good example of responsible ecotourism
- tours to the caves are managed by the NZ govt in partnership with the local Maori, closely monitoring the conditions within the cave to
ensure minimal human impact on its internal environment and control the number of tourists who enter the cave
- tourism to the cave also benefits the local Maori, who own the caves and receive a portion of the entrance fees
Reasons for Growth of Global Tourism
1. Developments in Technology
- technology is the application of scientific knowledge to develop machines, equipment, and ways of doing things
- developments in technology, especially those in transport and computer-related technology, have changed the scale and ease of global
tourism
Better and Affordable Transport
- developments in technology have led to great improvements in safety, shorter travelling time and lower travelling costs for the average
person
- commercial air travel has revolutionised global tourism due to ongoing technological developments in jet aircraft since the 1950s
- in 1950s, most commercial airlines would fly short distances and stop to refuel, sometimes overnight
- a commercial flight to london would take 2-4 days, with many stopovers in different cities
- present, aeroplanes can fly non-stop for 15,000km and travel 800-1000km/h
- a commercial flight to london now takes around 14 hrs using the airbus A380
- leads to faster and more affordable transport
- rise of budget airlines (airlines with low fares) has made air transport affordable
- cheaper than major commercial airlines as smaller and more fuel efficient
- typically fly only to short-haul destinations
- costs are further reduced by selling tickets online
- e.g: Jetstar, AirAsia
- link: helped increase the no. of international travellers, boosting international tourism (enabled more people to travel internationally and more
frequently // given travellers the opportunity to go on holidays further from home // enabled travellers to go to destinations not covered by
major commercial airlines)
Ease of Access to Information
- developments in information technology have made information more readily available and accessible, and made available updated
information
- helped promote air travel and global tourism
- example: online booking and research
- enables travellers to buy their own tickets without going through travel agents
- give tourists more options and control
- gives tourists better access to info at their destination, including places to see, social etiquettes to observe, train timetables
- allows travellers to view feedback and recommendations from other travellers
- enables travellers to do research to find out more about their destinations

2. Demand Factors
- refer to those that affect people’s demand for goods and services and affect their ability to travel, often affected by tourist profiles
Disposable Income
- refers to income left to an individual after taxes have been paid, available for spending and saving
- growth in disposable income has allowed people to spend more on goods, services and activities that improve their QOL, such as travelling
for leisure
- disposable income has been increasing globally because of rapid economic growth
- example: China and India has experienced rapid economic growth, no. of people in middle and high income groups has been growing, and
these groups have more disposable income
Leisure Time
- refers to time when people are free from work responsibilities and commitments
- for the middle to high income groups, leisure time usually comes in the form of paid leave
- with more income, more paid leave = increased availability of leisure time = more inclined to travel
- in many DCs and LDCs since the 1950s, people in all income groups have enjoyed shorter working weeks, with more public holidays and
more paid annual leave
- in Australia, many employees can exchange paid overtime work for leave, increasing the chances of them taking longer weekend breaks
Changing Lifestyle
- refers to the change in the way people live throughout their lifetime and from generation to generation
- pace of life in today is much faster, many people are spending long hours at the workplace beyond the official working hours
- travelling has become a way for people to take a break from their fast-paced life at work
- due to advances in medical technology and knowledge, people are now more health-conscious and can lead healthier lifestyles
- travelling has also become a way for retirees to spend the remainder of their healthy years productively
- in Australia, there is a group of retirees called Grey Nomads, spend much of their life travelling in mobile homes or vehicles to explore
remote parts of the country
 3. Destination Factors
- infrastructure and services in tourist destinations that allow for more convenient and comfortable stays for tourists
Attractions
- an attraction is a feature or quality that makes a place interesting or enjoyable
- often promoted and enhanced by the tourism industry to attract even more tourists
- govt, tourist authorities and tourism businesses know the value of investing in attractions
- hope to offer something spectacular, unique and interesting for both domestic and international tourists
- hope that tourists will return repeatedly to spend their tourist dollars
- some attractions are natural, while some are built
- example: Dubai has become a major tourist destination and stopover location between Europe and Asia
- 2 of Dubai’s most well-known built attractions are The Burj Al Arab (‘seven star’ luxury hotel built on an artificial island) and The Palm Islands
(world’s largest artificial islands for high-end residential, leisure and entertainment facilities)
Investment in Infrastructure and Services
- tourists attractions require large investments in infrastructure (refers to the transport and communication networks, electrical frameworks and
systems for water and waste disposal) and services (a particular type of help or work provided by a business to customers)
- Infrastructure such as transportation and accommodation is needed for tourism
- sufficient hotels must be built to receive the rising numbers of tourists
- to serve a range of tourists budgets, accommodations should vary from 5 star hotels to backpacker hostels and homestays
- example: between 2012 and 2016, HK will add another 49 hotels to its 189 already operating ones, to allow the city to accommodate a
potential rise in visitors, from 42 million to nearly 70 million yearly
- services such as telecommunication links to other places in the world is needed for tourist sites
- example: free wifi in most hotels, cellular connectivity, landlines
Access to Information
- refers to the ease with which information can be obtained
- tourist are more likely to visit a destination when travel-related info is easy to obtain, both outside and within a destination
- tourists may also want to have access to info in a language they can understand, often english
- when tourists do not speak the local language, they may require interpretation
- example: signs found in many tourist destinations are displayed in different languages to help provide security and comfort to visitors, and
assures tourists that there are people they can communicate with when they need help
- local tour guides and travel agents should be trained to answer questions to meet the needs of tourists
- should also have knowledge of local geography, history and culture to enhance tourists experiences
Why is tourism subject to fluctuations?
- tourism is a volatile industry, changes in tourist numbers and receipts can occur suddenly and greatly
- fluctuations in tourism refer to the irregular rising and falling of tourist numbers or receipts over a period of time

1. Disasters
- disasters are events that cause great damage to properties, lead to injuries or cause great loss of life
- a disaster can discourage tourists from visiting a destination as it poses greater risks to the safety of tourists and may disrupt essential
tourist infrastructure
- disasters can also discourage the citizens of the affected country from travelling overseas, affecting the tourism industry of nearby countries
- example: March 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan
- a month after the earthquake, the number of international tourists continued to dip despite the fact that April is usually a peak season in
Japan for tourists, when cherry blossoms often start blooming
- end of 2011, Japan’s total tourist arrivals decreased by 28% to 6.2 million arrivals

2. Recessions
- a recession is a period of general slowdown in economic activities, causing many people to experience a loss of income or jobs = increased
unemployment
- the decline in income causes people to cut back on spending, leading to a decline in demand for goods and services
- effects of recessions:
- decrease in international tourism, people are less likely to travel overseas, resulting in fewer international tourists
- reduced spending by tourists, as tourists stay for shorter lengths of time, spend less per day, search for cheaper accommodation causing a
loss of tourism receipts
- likely increase in domestic travel, as many choose to go for holidays in their own countries rather than travelling abroad. this is due to the
shorter distance, less money spent on transportation to visit tourist destinations = more affordable
- increased unemployment
- caused by a variety of factors, such as sharp increases in the price of goods and services, problems in the financial markets or a decline in
exports
- can be regional (affects only a region or group of countries) or global (affects many countries around the world)
- example: Global Financial Crisis in 2008
- some of the world’s largest financial firms went bankrupt in 2007 and 2008, affecting many countries in different parts of the world, causing
their economies to slow down or shrink
- tourist organisations in many countries promote domestic tourism during recession, as it encourages people to contribute to their own
country’s economy
 3. Unfavourable Political Situations
- unfavourable political situations such as that of political conflicts may discourage tourists from visiting
- political conflict is a state of disagreement between different groups of people that may result in wars
- these conflicts pose dangers to tourists as well as residents, disrupting services and causing damage to infrastructure
- this causes tourists to postpone or cancel their travel plans
- government authorities may also issue travel advisories, official notices that discourage citizens from travelling to a particular region or
country
- example: governments of most countries banned their citizens from visiting Libya for most of 2011
- civil war taking place, armed groups pose a threat to civilian lives
- commercial airlines reduced/stopped their flights to Libya
- between March & October 2011, no commercial flights into Libya’s airspace, no tourist arrivals by air
- when places experience unfavourable political conditions, they need to rebuild their reputation through promotions, new infrastructure and
improved tourist conditions (example: Bali, Indonesia after terrorist attacks in 2002 & 2005 was a success)

4. Outbreak of Diseases
- refers to the sudden and widespread occurrence of disease in an area
- can cause a huge drop in tourist arrivals as tourists do not want to risk getting infected with a contagious disease
- government agencies may also advise travellers to avoid areas with disease outbreaks
- diseases like H1N1 influenza or SARS can have strong negative impacts on tourism,
- discouraging tourist travel,
- causing significant declines in tourist arrivals,
- causing business to postpone/cancel large scale MICE activities
- example: SARS outbreak spread over 6 months in 2003
- hotel occupancy in HK dropped from the usual 82% to 15%, according to a BBC news report in May 2003

Impacts of Tourism
- tourism can impact people and places in different ways
- there may be both positive and negative impacts even within one destination
1. Economic Impacts

Advantages Disadvantages
1. Employment Opportunities 1. Seasonal Unemployment
- employment is work performed for a wage/salary, in cash or in kind - tourism industry in some countries experience
- employment in the tourism industry forms part of the service sector of an seasonal unemployment as certain tourist
economy activities depend on climatic conditions
- growth in tourism = increase in the number of tourism related jobs - these countries may experience a rise in
- tourism industry offers many employment opportunities: tourist numbers for several months followed
- (A) some directly linked to tourism industry to cater to the needs of tourists: by a drop in tourist numbers for the next few
travel agents, tour guides, hotel staff, waiters, waitresses months
- (B) some indirectly linked to tourist industry whenever tourists travel and - thus people in some tourism-related jobs may
consume goods: taxi drivers shop owners have to find other sources of income when
- example: in 2011, the UNWTO estimated that the tourism industry employment is temporarily unavailable
employed over 235 million people worldwide, roughly 6-8% of all the jobs - = decreases the income of these people who
in the world are only seasonally employed
- = affects the economy of the country
2. Growth in Income - example: Sapporo, Japan receives a large
- can lead to growth in income for individuals and for a country number of visitors from Dec to Feb
- (A) example: fishermen on Pamilacan Island in the Philippines - many visitors who go during these times plan
- local tour companies hire fishermen to take domestic and international to engage in winter sports such as skiing and
tourists on their boats to look for and swim with whale sharks and dolphins snowboarding
- paid between US$80 and US$100 per boat for their service, a significant - mountain ski resorts operators will need to
amount for an average Filipino fisherman employ more people during winter to cater to
- with a high demand for their service from tourists, fishermen earn the high tourist demand
additional income on top of their fishing livelihood
- tour companies experience increase in revenue 2. Under-Use of Facilities at Certain Times of the
- overall increase in revenue for the country through taxes collected Year
- (B) example: tourism receipts, which refer to the money received from - since some types of tourism are seasonal,
tourist spending, also generate large revenue for many countries: in 2011, facilities built specifically for certain events
worldwide tourism receipts exceeded US$1 trillion may be under-used when the event is over
- (C) example: however, the revenue generated from tourism does not - facilities may be costly to maintain, as the
always remain in the country where tourists spend their money income from tourists normally pays for the
- a large portion of the tourism receipts is lost as leakage, especially in cost of maintaining such facilities
LDCs, when revenue earned is paid to other countries for the import of - some of these facilities may become
goods and services needed to meet the needs of tourists neglected since the number of tourists
- in Phuket, Thailand: travellers may fly there on a non-local airline, stay in a dropped drastically
foreign-owned hotel and eat imported food - example: part of the Beijing National Aquatics
- money spent by tourists will contribute to paying for these imported items Centre had been renovated into a water park
- profits made by hotels, rental companies and fast food restaurants are in Aug 2010 to become more profitable —
then sent to another country supposed to be built specifically for the 2008
- = money spent by a tourist may not stay in the local economy + may bring Summer Olympic Games but started
few benefits to local businesses and workers deteriorating a few years after
3. Development in Infrastructure and Facilities
- infrastructure development is the construction of transport and
communication networks, electrical frameworks and systems for water and
waste disposal
- w/o sufficient infrastructure and appropriate facilities (airport, roads,
electricity, hotels), tourism cannot develop and would not be able to
operate on such a large scale
- infrastructure built to enhance tourism also brings benefits to locals, such
as better access to more markets, healthcare, education and jobs
- some infrastructure such as sporting infrastructure may be useful even
after the key events
- developing infrastructure also created employment for locals, as many
locals are needed during the construction process, locals materials may be
used in constructing infrastructure, hence boosting local industry,
encouraging economic growth
3. Shortage of Services
- tourist infrastructure may require the use of
large amounts of land, water and power
- lead to a shortage of services (water supplies,
power) in non-tourist areas
- competition between locals and tourists
- example: large amounts of water required to
water the grass on golf courses and fill
swimming pools = drinking water for nearby
residents could be diverted to meet the needs
of tourist infrastructure
 2. Socio-Cultural Impacts
Advantages
1. Preservation of Local Customs and Heritage
- is the protection of the way people live, their economic
activities, traditional beliefs and religious practices
- customs: traditional ways of behaving or doing things
that are specific to a particular society (greeting a person
by bowing)
- heritage: traditional beliefs, values and customs of a
family, country or society (buildings, monuments, art,
language)
- when preserved and restored, historical and cultural sites
make a place more attractive to tourists
- restored sites benefit the local population by enhancing
their sense of history, sense of belonging to their
community, preserve and promote the culture and
national identity of local people
- example: historical Christ Church in Malacca, Malaysia
— relic of Malacca’s colonial history + tourist destination
- revenue generated from tourism can also fund the
preservation and restoration of cultural heritage
3. Environmental Impacts
Disadvantages
1. Dilution of Local Customs and Heritage
- the identity, culture and values of a place can be lost when tourism
becomes the major activity of an area
- activities (older buildings converted to host tourist activities /
commercial activities that cater mainly to tourists becoming the major
commercial activity of an area) may force locals to relocate their
original activities to other places
- = identity of a place may be lost
- = original atmosphere, appearance and functions of an area changes
- to meet the demands and expectations of tourists, local cultural
festivals and religious rituals are sometimes modified = authenticity and
significance of these events may be reduced when they become
commercialised
- example: rituals may be shortened to fit into the itenary of tourists +
rituals may be repeated several times a day for various groups of
tourists
2. Increased Crime
- high crime levels may occur at popular tourist sites
- some tourists carry valuable items such as watches, cameras and
clothes = vulnerable to muggings
- tourists often share these experiences online to warn other tourists
- example: increased crime rates at the Louvre, the most visited museum
in the world, in Paris, France
- tourist may also be prone to being cheated or scammed in many tourist
areas, falling into ‘tourist traps’ (places where information, goods or
services are sold at greatly inflated prices)
 Advantages Disadvantages

1. Conservation of 1. Vandalism
Natural - the crime of deliberately damaging property belonging to other people
Environments - cultural, historical or natural sites may be vandalised by individuals / developers
- tourism gives rise - example: thousands of stones and bricks of the Great Wall of China, visited by about 10 million tourists yearly
to funding, are covered with graffiti
providing help to
conserve 2. Littering and Pollution
environments - excessive litter from tourists can become a major problem in tourist areas, causing degradation of such areas
such as coral - especially when authorities sometimes fail to implement measures that would properly manage waste left
reefs, rainforests behind by tourists
and mountainous - example: many islands in the Caribbean have limited space on land to treat waste from ships
areas - solid and liquid waste are sometimes dumped into the Caribbean Sea by ships, causing pollution
- revenue from
entrance fees or 3. Destruction of Habitats
even levies on - popular tourist sites, such as quiet stretches of sandy beaches and scenic villages can be overwhelmed with
nearby visitors during busy times of the year
accommodations - too many people = may destroy habitats and wildlife, trample on plants, collect eggs and feathers of birds as
can be used to souvenirs, make noise — disturb and frighten off animals
help protect and - example: Egypt’s Red Sea Coast has developed into a major diving and snorkelling destination for around 1.2
conserve these million visitors annually
environments - habitats of coral reefs and exotic fish have been damaged by some swimmers collecting shells/corals as
- example: Sepilok souvenirs + nearby hotels & restaurants dumping waste and sewage into the sea
Orang-Utan
Rehabilitation 4. Increased Carbon Footprint
Centre in Sabah, - carbon footprint is the amount of GHG emissions produced by activities (tourism-related) that require the use
Malaysia partly of fossil fuels
relies on visitor - carbon footprint is one measure of tourism impact on the environment
entrance fees to - measured in equivalent amounts of CO2
pay its staff - with more tourists travelling, higher carbon footprint greater amounts of GHGs being emitted
- staff help - example: the carbon footprint of a one-way economy class flight from SG to KL is 30 kg of CO2 per person
rehabilitate
orphaned/injured 5. Increased Congestion
orang-utans - large numbers of tourists can cause overcrowding in areas close to popular attractions
- due to the large crowd, tourist shops and accommodations can cluster near such areas and make them even
more congested
- often causes vehicular + pedestrian traffic to become more congested too
- example: in Rome, Italy, many older walkways and narrow streets are filled with tourists
- apart from adding to local traffic, the huge inflow of cars and buses can contribute to air pollution
Management of Impacts of Tourism
 - minimise and even avoid damage to the environment
- management: making decisions that benefit both the natural environments visited by tourists and the lives of the local population
- ensures that a particular site and its features remain in prime condition
- tourism planning and management can help ensure that the economy, culture and environment of a region are sustained for future
generations
- tourist activities should occur in an area without excessive use of its resources and damage to the environment
1. Conserve Fragile Environments
- conservation is the careful management and use of resources such that these resources would not be depleted
- important for fragile environments, which are easily affected by change, such as mangroves and coral reefs
- they can be easily disturbed, such as by the dumping of wastes from tourists facilities, removal of vegetation to build roads and buildings,
disposal of waste into water bodies and coastal environments
2. Promote Sustainable Tourism
- sustainable tourism is a form of tourism organised in a way that allows it to continue without causing damage to the environment or without
leaving negative impacts on the surrounding society and culture
- should also address the needs of visitors, the industry and host communities
- also involves minimising leakages from tourist revenues, such as by training locals to perform skilled tourism jobs lie management and
marketing
3. Link + Summary
- conservation of fragile environments and promoting sustainable tourism can be made possible with the help of laws and regulations, and
support from local people
- example: tourism in the area near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the world's longest complex of 2300 km of coral reefs and small islands that
has a diverse ecosystem and beauty
- however, it is threatened by tourism activities such as fuel leaks from pleasure boats, removal of corals for souvenirs
- UNESCO very much involved in the conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage around the world, providing funding for
conservation activities as well as assistance to sites in immediate danger
- a well-protected environment attracts both new and returning tourists
- the repeated, steady arrival of tourists will continue to benefit the locals economically
- in turn, the income from tourism motivates locals to care properly for the sites that tourists visit, ensuring a regular and viable stream of
income from tourism in the future

Tensions in Managing the Impacts of Tourism

- due to the differences between the needs or expectations of different groups: the tourists, locals and the environment
- tensions need to be balanced when managing the impact of tourism
1. Tensions Between Tourists and Locals
 - needs of tourists conflict with the needs of locals
[Bali, Indonesia]
- visited by many tourists for its natural landscape, such as mountains and rainforests, as well as food
- cultural landscape, renowned for its Hindu temples, art, dance and other heritage and customs
- large inflow of tourists causing
- (A) tourist sites such as Kuta to be often congested, partly due to busloads of ever-increasing foreign tourists, making it more difficult for
locals to conduct their daily business
- (B) large numbers of hotels, resorts, convention centres and other facilities potentially deprive some locals of their water supply — water
shortages in some areas, poor people cannot afford to be connected to the city’s tap water supply
- (C) locals expect tourists to respect local customs and values, which tourists sometimes fail to do so — example: many locals in Bali still
object to public displays of affection, which some tourists may perceive as acceptable

2. Tensions Between Tourists and the Environment

- needs of tourists conflict with the need to conserve the environment
[Machu Picchu, Peru]
- a city built by the Inca Civilisation on the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains located 2430 m above sea level
- features stone walls, ramps, pillars and stairways that are now remnants of a once-thriving city
- holds immense importance due to the insight it provides into ancient Inca life
- draw an average of 3300 visitors daily, due to its rich history and breathtaking natural landscape
- popularity has caused some tensions
- (A) physically able tourists opt to use the ‘Inca Trail’ for its stunning mountain scenery, cloud forests, rivers as well as several Inca ruins
- trail populated with rare indigenous plant and wildlife, however, it is slowly being eroded by the more than 75000 tourists that hike on it yearly
- some hikers also leave behind rubbish such as water bottles and plastic wrappers along the trail
- (B) tourists may prefer to reach the site using helicopters for convenience
- in 2010, authorities banned helicopters from the site for fear that its noise disturbs the area’s indigenous wildlife
- (C) sheer weight and combined footsteps of tourists visiting yearly slowly damage the land and artefacts on the site
Measures for Managing the Tensions
- government authorities play an important role in balancing and resolving tensions
- many countries set up agencies or organisations dedicated to manage such tensions
- these organisations may then impose measures to help balance the needs of tourists against the needs of locals and the environment
- examples:
- (a) limiting the number of visitors at a site to minimise congestion and degradation
- (b) withholding permission to proceed with tourism-related projects that could harm the environment, like landscape and the flora and fauna
- (c) employing staff to maintain and repair a site and prevent tourists from tampering with it
- (d) holding discussions with locals regarding their needs and concerns
- (e) restricting tourists from some areas where only locals could enter
Responsibilities of Various Groups
- balancing the needs of various groups can be very difficult = various stakeholders and groups have a responsibility to ensure the balance
between conflicting interests
- various groups of people contribute in different ways and work together to develop strategies to protect tourist areas (sustainable tourism)
- ensure that the locals benefit from tourism
- example: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore, the planning authority built an education centre whilst NGOs organise displays and
tour operators bring visitors to the centre

1. Local Communities

- a local community is a group of people (+) Strengths (-) Limitations

living in the same territory
- play a key role in conserving and
protecting tourist areas
- benefit economically from tourism,
especially through community-based
tourism
- community-based tourism is tourism that
has close contact with, and mainly
benefits local communities
- may be done in partnership with a
government or non-governmental
organisation
- example: Candirejo Village, near
Borobudur in Central Java, Indonesia
- with support from the government, the
villagers set up a cooperative in 2003 to
manage and implement the community’s
tourism-related programmes
- by 2004, the village had 22 homestays,
22 andongs (local transport of
horse-drawn carts) and 6 local
restaurants
- in contrast to 2002, where the village
had only 10 homestays, 5 andongs, 0
restaurants
- reported 63 new jobs, 5 new businesses,
12.5% increase in average income per
villager from 2001 to 2003
1. Involve locals in decision-making
- local communities enlist residents in
discussions and consultations about
tourism management strategies to be
carried out
- can also make other tourism-related
decisions about their own community
2. Increase in tourism-related
employment and business for
locals
- community-based tourism often make
locals a priority when in comes to
business and employment
opportunities
- locals can get employed as guides,
waiters, cleaners, drivers and
reception staff
1. Difficulty in obtaining external
funding
- some local communities, especially
disadvantaged ones, may face funding
problems when setting up businesses
or investing in vehicles to facilitate
tourism in their area
2. Shortage of skilled labour
- the local community alone may not
have enough skilled labour, such as
managers or consultants, that can
successfully help manage the impact of
tourism
- in such cases, the community may
need to seek the help of NGOs or other
organisations to provide skilled labour
or training

- visitors or tourists have a responsibility
to respect both the environment and the
local population of the place they are
visiting
- visit without causing damage or offence
- example: visitors should be dressed
appropriately to visit temples, such as at
Wat Benchamabophit in Bangkok,
Thailand
- example: Tourism Sustainability Group,
set up by the European Commission in
2004, encouraged tourists to select their
holiday destinations based on the
conservation efforts of the place
- this is because some tourists want to
minimise their carbon footprint while they
are on holiday
- they may thus consider factors such as
amount of water used and waste
recycled at these destinations
- visits become more rewarding with the
knowledge that they have done their
best to avoid damaging these
environments
2. Visitors
(+) Strengths
1. Fund conservation and
preservation
- visitor spending like entrance fees
and the purchase of souvenirs can
provide funds to help conserve
environments, preserve culture or
maintain a tourist attraction
- the income earned can be used to
conserve a tourist site
2. Provide income opportunities for
locals
- visitor spending can also provide
locals with income from employment
and businesses
- visitors usually require hotel workers,
hotel staff, waitresses and tour guides
which are employment positions that
locals can easily fill
- the arrival of tourists also gives locals
opportunities to set up businesses
such as tour companies or shops
3. Raise awareness to conserve and
preserve attractions
- visitors to a destination may realise
the value of conserving and
preserving the destination
- raise awareness about the destination
at home by sharing their experience
via word of mouth
(-) Limitations
1. Damage tourist attractions
- visitors may exhibit behaviours that can
damage a tourist attraction, such as
vandalism and littering
- in some cases, the sheer number of
tourists alone can damage a tourist site
through their collective footsteps, noise
or touch
2. Dilute local culture and customs
- large numbers of visitors can cause a
place to lose its identity, such as when
dancers deliberately pose for tourists to
take photographs
- visitors may complain that a place or a
performance does not feel ‘authentic’
- dilution becomes more pronounced
whenever visitors outnumber locals in
an area and commercial activities focus
mainly on tourism

- tour operators may belong to
associations that are increasingly
concerned with conserving and
protecting environments visited by
tourists
- fewer tourists are likely to visit a place if
the unspoilt landscapes, rich biodiversity
and unique cultures deteriorate
- example: Phuket Alternative Tours (PAT)
is a group set up by a team of tour
operators in Phuket in 2006
- tour operators who want to operate
under PAT are required to sign an
Environmental and Cultural Code of
Practice, which commits members to
operate under guidelines, such as in an
environmentally sustainable way / seek
to enhance the natural environment and
the way that the industry uses it / create
awareness about environmental
conservation for visitors
3. Tour Operators
(+) Strengths (-) Limitations
1. Provide feedback on tourist 1. Need to generate profits
attractions - tour operators are businesses and
- tour guides offer valuable feedback to need to be profitable and make money
tour operators about the social and to survive
environmental conditions of a tourist - the need to generate profits can
attraction sometimes bring tour operators into
- their inputs are often used by local conflicts with other stakeholders
communities and planning authorities - may also override concerns to preserve
to plan tourism management the environment when addressing
strategies in a tourist attraction these concerns would reduce their
profits
2. Regulate tourist behaviour
- tourists spend much of their time at a
tourist attraction with tour guides or
other staff of a tour operator
- tour operators are often in the best
position to regulate tourist behaviour
- includes preventing tourists from
littering, wandering into restricted
areas or making too much noise to
prevent damage to a tourist site
- tour operators have an incentive in
maintaining the quality of an attraction
because the attraction is their source
of income

- can greatly influence the future quality of
environments by determining how many
visitors a site can cope with and
allocating space for infrastructure such
as roads and hotels
- most important group in ensuring that
tourist areas are protected
- planning authority should consider local
sensitivities in the area while maintaining
its physical and social-cultural condition
- should be the first to enforce rules,
regulations, values and principles for
sustainable tourism in consultation with
the industry and community
- local communities and tour operators
should refer to them when organising
tours
- example: Singapore Tourism Board
(STB) ensures that while attracting large
numbers of tourists to SG, its
development plans also take into
account the need to conserve national
heritage
- has implemented programmes to
conserve the ethnic districts of
Singapore, enhancing the cultural zones
of Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little
India
- visitors and locals will have a greater
appreciation of Singapore’s rich heritage
4. Planning Authorities (government)
(+) Strengths
1. Develop and maintain
infrastructure and attractions
- planning authorities often successfully
develop, approve, fund and maintain
infrastructure that help manage the
impact of tourism in an area
2. Draft laws and policies
- help improve the quality of a tourist
site
- example, can craft laws that limit the
number of visitors to an attraction or
regulate the type of commercial
activity in an area
- may also impose entrance fees to a
tourist site
3. Work with other government
agencies
- part of the government, can cooperate
more easily with other government
agencies to manage the impact of
tourism
- also have the advantage of being able
to utilise a range of government
resources
(-) Limitations
1. Difficult to plan for unforeseen
factors
- even the most well-planned and
well-funded programme can sometimes
fail due to unforeseen factors like
extreme weather conditions, natural
disasters or a general lack of interest
from the public
2. Opposing stakeholders
- local communities or NGOs may
oppose the management strategies of
planning authorities
- may be because the management
strategies affect their livelihood or
change their way of life
- they oppose planning authorities when
they think that a different approach is
needed to solve a problem
- tourism management strategies often
have a limited impact without
cooperation from stakeholders

- NGOs are non-profit organisations
operating independently of governments
- a number of NGOs are concerned with
tourism’s impact on natural and human
environments
- example: since 1990, The International
Ecotourism Society (TIES) has
developed guidelines, conducted training
courses, provided technical assistance
and published research papers related to
tourism and the environment
- works with numerous organisations,
including travel associations and
conservation groups in 124 countries
- instrumental in achieving sustainable
tourism and for protecting the
environments frequented by tourists
5. Non-Governmental Organisations
(+) Strengths (-) Limitations
1. Facilitate communication between 1. Difficulty in obtaining external
various stakeholders funding
- sometimes act as channels of - as non-profit organisations that often
communication between various rely on donations, NGOs may be
stakeholders, such as between local hampered by the lack of financial
communities and tour operators or resources
between tour operators and planning
authorities
- sometimes also help encourage other
stakeholders, such as local
communities to actively participate in
managing the impact of tourism
2. Support various stakeholders in
managing the impact of tourism
- support the tourism management
efforts of various stakeholders such
as local communities and planning
authorities
- support can come in the form of
additional manpower, expertise or
marketing campaigns