Geography- Theme 10: Tourism

Attractions:

Chichen Itza, Night Clubs, Bars, Restaurants, Cruises

Accommodation:

Range  of hotels, Modern

Culture:

Mayan Civilisation, Ancient History, Carnivals, Market 

Wildlife:

Rare & Exotic Birds, Wide Range Of Animals, Turtles, Dolphins

Landscape:

Rainforest, Beaches, Oceans

Acessibility:

Direct Flights, Cruises, Roads, Docks

1) Tourism is Created

2) This creates jobs in the tourism industry

3) People earn and spend more

4) Indirect businesses (not linked to tourism) benefit- E.G Furniture shops- and employ more people

5) Government recieves more tax

6) This leads to more money being invested to improve local services - E.G. Roads

7) More tourists are attracted

Cycle Repeats

Greater Affluence:

People in the UK have higher salaries than in previous decades, meaning they can afford to go abroad on holiday more often.

Improved Accessibility and Transport Faclities:

Improvements in roads and motorways mean it is a lot quicker and easier to travel within the UK, encouraging people to travel more frequently. Improved and enlarged aiports reduce airfares and has improved package deals. 

More Leisure Time:

People have shorter working weeks and more paid holiday leave. More people are working from home, and part time work is more common, allowing people to be more flexible with their time.

Changing Lifestyles:

People are retiring earlier with better pensions, meaning they have time/money to travel. 

Advertising and TV Programmes:

Holiday programmes and magazines are promoting new and different places to travel to.

Green or Sustainable Tourism:

Benefits local economy, environment and people without damaging local attractiveness and amenities.

There has been an increase in air travel because: 

• Planes have become faster and larger
• Air travel has become cheaper because of competition in cheap companies (budget airlines)
• UK budget airlines offer cheap flights to other airports in the UK ad short haul destinations throughout Europe
• This encourages people to take more frequent, short breaks. 

There has been an increase in Long-Haul flights because:

• An increase in communication technologies 
• People can find out about distant places on the internet
• Media changes have made it easier to find out about distant destinations
• An increase in TV channels has allowed people to find out about distant places such as South America, Central America, Australasia, Asia and Africa

Environmental:

• Increased CO2 emmissions 
• 240 hectacres of greenland destroyed
• loss of farmland, homes and buildings

Economic:

• Creates jobs and boosts the economy
• house prices are decreased
• country benefits from more tourists

Social:

• Angry Local Residents

Physical

• Volcanic and Tectonic Structure
• Glaciers and Mountains
• Whale Watching
• Geysers
• Breathtaking Waterfalls e.g. Gullfoss Waterfall

Human:

• Reykjavik the Capital City
• Leading technology for Sustainable Tourism (e.g Hydroelectric power and Geothermal energy)
• Icelandic Culture
• Well Developed Roads and Airports
• Lots of Tourist Attractions and Entertainment
• Well Built Infrastructure and Hotels

Social/Economic:

Positive:

• Tourists Spend Money in local Shops which improves local economy
• Tourism creates jobs for local residents
• Government can use the money made to imprve local services

Negative:

• Tourism Jobs are often low paid
• Jobs are usually seasonal, so during winter people have to find other work
• Tourists can be loud and increase crime rates

Environmental:

Positives:

• Wardens employed to look after wildlife and repair footpaths

• National parks are created to protect areas of natural beauty 

Negatives:

• Increased tourism can create more traffic, whihc means more gases are released
• Tourists drop lots of litter that causes wildlife problems 
• Many tourists drive off road to get closer to attractions

Social And Economic:

Positive: 

• P.M.E- Tourism, More jobs, Spend more, Boost local economy, Helps local businesses, More taxes, Gov. reinvests improving local roads and facilities, Improves tourism

Negative:

• Contrast in wealth between tourists and locals can create conflict
• Locals aren't allowed on beaches
• Many locals work 12-14 hours for only $5 USD
• Tourist enclave 

Environmental:

Positive:

• Beaches and oceans near tourist spots are kept clean to attract more tourists

• Areas of natural beauty are conserved
• Locals are emoplyed as wardens to look after local wildlife and mend footpaths etc.
• Tourists are encouraged to take part in conservation activities such as planting trees

Negative:

• Tourist activity damages coral reef
• Tourist activity causes problems with litter 
• Pollution in rivers left by tourists is damaging wildlife
• Noise pollution from aircraft, nighclubs etc. 

Eco tourism is used in developing countries to create jobs and make money without damaging the local environment E.G. the Rainforest.

Ecotourism includes:

• Visiting places in order to appreciate the scenery and wildlife, and understand the local culture, so little damage is done to the environment
• Creating jobs in an area whilst protecting its natural resources and local way of life. This means places do not need to be redeveloped or big holiday resorts built.
• Eco tourists usually travel in small groups and share specialist interests E.G. birdwatchers or photographers. They usually visit National parks and reserves where the scenery is carefully managed and protected
• They are also more likely to stay with locals for a longer period of time, as opposed to staying in large chain hotels, for only a few days.
• They eat local foods instead of large brands, ensuring money is going back to the local people
• Eco-tourists usually use local people as tour guides and so beneift the local industry.

Sustainable tourism means that it should have long lasting benefits.

• Local people need to benefit E.G. jobs, better ages and local services 
• The growth of tourism should not create problems for future generations E.G. use more water than can be replaced naturally
• The growth of tourism should not create so many problems that tourists stop coming on holiday
• The environment should not be damaged from the growth of tourism.  

Impact: Thousands of Mangrove trees cleared to build marina.

Sustainable Solution: Plant more trees elsewhere in Cancun.

Impact: Lagoon badly polluted by sewage from oil in boats

Sustainable Solution: Divide lagoon into zones to provide space for water sports, swimmers and conservation.

Impact: Coral Reef is badly damaged from diseases from boat sewage and divers and boat anchors dragging on them.

Sustainable Solution: Create a sacrificial reef where all tourists visit, meaning other reefs are conserved.

Impact: Hotels are using too much energy and water which is effecting the locals E.G. lack of water supply

Sustainable Solution: New hotels have to meet higher efficiency standards E.G. Solar Pannels and energy efficient light bulbs.                                      

Case Study: Lebanon

• Lebanon is a very hot country, and suffers from a shortage of water as a result of tourism.
• However, the government want tourists because they are a source of income.
• This creates conflict between locals, farmers and tourists.
• Lebanon also recieves many refugees from Syria and is home to the rare species of Loggerhead Turtles.
• To solve this conflict, the governement have dividied the coastline into 4 Zones:

Zone 1: Farmers

Zone 2: Refugees

Zone 3: Conservation

Zone 4: Tourists 

This is useful because it reduces conflicts, tourists are not put off from visiting the regiom, and it reduces damage to areas of natural beauty. 

Case Study- London 2012 Olympic Games:

• Created many jobs E.G. Builders
• People spent money in the shops
• Locals earned more money
• More Taxes for the government
• Used to redevelop local services E.G. Roads
• Improves the image, which leads to more tourism
• It regenerated a run down area of the inner city, E.G East London
• The country got a lot of air time on TV, which attracts more tourists to visit
• Inspires locals and leaves a legacy
• Leaves facilitiies for young people E.G. Football stadiums 

Problem: Rural depopulation is increasing as young people want something different.This is causing doctors clinics, shops and other facilities to shut.

Sustainable Solution: Farmers need to diversify. They need tp create new ideas such as

• Farms which are open to the public (E.G. Folly Farm)
• Outdoor Activities such as Paintballing

Problem: Whale Hunting

Sustainable Solution: Advertise whale watching and fishing trips instead