TOURISM AND ITS IMPACTS

TourismTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.

Types of TourismCombining these 3 forms of tourism:Internal Tourism: (Domestic + Inbound Tourism)National Tourism: (Domestic + Outbound Tourism)International Tourism: (Inbound + Outbound Tourism)

Growth and Latest TrendsThe UNWTO forecasts international tourism to continue growing at the average annual rate of 4 %. The Late-2000s recession led to a strong slowdown of international arrivals. The hotel industry and air transport industry too reported of a negative growth in September 2008 and a 3.3% growth in passenger traffic.The outbreak of the influenza AH1N1 virus in many countries of the world.

Most visited countries by international tourist arrivals

Factors Affecting Tourism

Economic factorsInternational TourismGDP of the countryDemand/Supply Factors:IncomePopulationCost of living and TransportationFactors like Currency exchange rates and inflation.Domestic TourismDisposable income groupsPropensity of spending.

Social and Cultural FactorsSocial FactorsAgeing PopulationTrends to healthier lifestyles have been encouraged.Cultural FactorsMaintenance of historical monuments museums and art galleries etc.Exhibitions and trade fairs and Festivals etc.

Governmental and Political FactorsTerrorism and SecurityReligious IntoleranceInfrastructureAggressive advertising CampaignsGovernmental PoliciesTax Exemptions NRI InvestmentsRelationship with Neighbouring Countries and Role in International Politics

Environmental & Demographic FactorsEnvironmental FactorsGlobal warming/ Urban Air QualityClean drinking water and related facilitiesEnergy Dependence and costsGo Green Ideology/ Sustainable DevelopmentDemographic FactorsIncreasing PopulationGlobal language.

Technological FactorsTechnological FactorsNew Transportation MethodsAir Transport Roads & Railways Ships, Ferries & Star cruises.Vast Growth of E-commerce

Competitive FactorsAggressive tourism strategies adopted by other countries.Cheap international air fares curbing domestic tourism.Higher operating CostsExample:Comparing with China- In 2007, rooms of similar quality for business travelers, cost on an average, $187 in Delhi, $178 in Mumbai, versus $122 in Beijing and $150 in Shanghai.

Impacts of Tourism

Social Impacts Of TourismPOSITIVES:Developing friendship mutual positive attitudeReducing negative perceptions and stereotypesIncreasing self-esteem of hosts & touristsPsychological satisfaction with interactionImprovement of the social infrastructure

Social Impacts Of TourismNEGATIVES:Increase in tension, hostility, and suspicionOverdevelopmentConflictAssimilationArtificial Reconstruction

Economic Impacts of TourismPOSITIVES:Foreign exchange earningContribution to government revenuesEmployment generationStimulation of infrastructure investmentContribution to local economies

Economic Impacts of TourismNEGATIVES:Leakage Import leakage Export leakageEnclave tourismInfrastructure costIncrease in pricesEconomic dependency of the local community on tourism

Environmental Impacts of TourismPOLLUTIONAir EmissionsNoiseSolid waste and litteringRelease of SewageOil and chemicalsArchitectural/visual pollution

Saving the EnvironmentEcotourism“Ecotourism in India”Sustainable TourismRelationship between Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism

Conclusion Tourism has changed a lot since the early days and so have the reasons changed for travelling. All this has helped tourism to emerge as the biggest industry in the world. Tourism has both negative as well as positive impacts in totality. So, it depends on all of us, how we take it and how we move in the positive direction, so that the world, which we are living in now, becomes a lot better place in not only our future but also for the generations to come.