4. Mass Tourism
CHARACTERISTICS
• Large scale/area and large numbers of tourists
• Great concentrations of hotels and other tourist facilities
• Major/dominant contributor to local economy
DEVELOPMENT
• ‘Costas’ of Spain in 1960s – e.g. Benidorm, Costa Blanca;
Torremolinos, Costa del Sol
• Wholesale change from sparsely populated fishing villages
to side-by-side apartment blocks and hotels, bars, clubs
and restaurants catering solely for tourists
6. Mass Tourism - consequences
Economic Environmental
Gains
New infrastructure (roads, airports, water, electricity, sewerage) can benefit
other industries.
Low-income jobs can be converted to provide a better living (e.g. fishing
boat use for coastal tours, fish/snorkelling/diving trips).
Great earner of foreign exchange.
Increases the size of domestic economy – especially where there are few
other opportunities.
New opportunities from the great increase in number and variety of service
occupations – tourism is labour-intensive.
Traditional skills (e.g. carving, weaving) maintained as tourists increase
market for local goods.
Income from tourism/entrance fees may
pay for management, conservation and
repairs.
Greater awareness of the need for, and
interest in, conservation of the landscape
features, vegetation and wildlife and
preservation of ancient monuments.
Losses
The country/tourist region might gain only a small percentage of the amount
of money spent by tourists (leakage).
Some local people, notably farmers and fishermen, may lose their
livelihoods.
Visitor numbers go up and down and the area’s popularity may wane.
Youths skip school being attracted by chance to earn money quickly
thereby reducing chance of acquiring skills necessary for higher-paid jobs.
Many tourism jobs are seasonal, poorly paid, low-status and unskilled –
high-earning jobs, such as guides with language skills, often go to
outsiders.
Opportunities to earn money from tourism attracts people from the
countryside thereby reducing number working in farming…
Buying power of hotels, etc. mean that they can force local farmers to sell
their produce more cheaply.
Local farmers change what they grow to match demands from tourist
industry – reducing availability of food for local people.
Hotels/resorts import food rather than relying on local farmers.
Divers damage coral reefs, footpaths
eroded, wildlife disturbed in natural
habitats.
Complete destruction of environments
and resulting habitat losses, in order to
build hotels, airports…
Pollution problems from litter and
untreated waste flowing into rivers and
the sea.
Extensive demands on water resources
in semi-arid areas (for hotels, golf
courses…) can seriously affect irrigation
supplies for local farmers.
Loss of rural peace and quiet which is
replaced by urban activity and noise.
9. Mass Tourism in Cancún, Mexico
Use the handout to complete these tasks:
1. Describe the location of Cancún and the Yucatán Peninsula.
2. Briefly describe the development of tourism here – try to relate this to the
Butler Model.
3. What attracts tourists to this location? Include at least two physical factors
and two human factors – and be specific
4. Construct a table to identify positive and negative economic, social and
environmental impacts of tourism in this area.
5. Describe how tourism is being managed to reduce the impacts and to keep
the industry sustainable.
18. Mass Tourism in Cancún, Mexico
Playa Ballenas is a popular beach
located within the Hotel Zone, 14.5km
from downtown Cancun. Hotels here
even deliver food and drinks to guests
on the beach.
Its width means the beach can
accommodate many people without
ever feeling overcrowded. As major
hotels are close by the beach is regularly
patrolled by qualified lifeguards.
There are many different activities on
offer, even parasailing high above the
crystal clear waters.
At Playa Ballenas (‘Whale Beach’) there is also plenty of wildlife to see, including whales (more
often seen from boats than the shore) and lush tropical forests with hundreds of species of birds
whose calls and vivid colours help to frame the tropical vacation perfectly.
Based on text from: http://www.best-beaches.com/mexico/cancun/playa-ballenas
24. Where am I describing?
People are attracted to FSBohauayarm hMibeilele ,S Bthheeeaik cDhho,, mEQgiunyepicetanns lRaenpdu, bAluicstralia
because it has a warm
dry climate and big sandy beaches. There are many high-quality hotels and the sea is
very clear so it’s good for swimming. Not only this but there are plenty of activities on
offer, such as scuba-diving and snorkelling.
25. Where am I describing?
People are attracted to Cancun, Mexico by the warm tropical seas which are crystal
clear as well as to the world’s second largest coral reef. The beaches, such as Playa
Ballenas, are sandy and wide so that they never seem crowded. The climate makes
this an ideal place for a winter holiday for people living in North America and Western
Europe as temperatures rarely fall below 25°C and there can be up to 8 hours of
sunshine a day even in December. The ancient Mayan temples (e.g. at Chitzen Itza) are
also a big cultural attraction.
26. Cancún Climate Statistics
Mean Temperature Patterns, Cancun, Mexico
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J F M A M J J A S O N D
oC
Mean High
Mean Low
Mean
