Tourism is defined as temporary visits lasting more than 24 hours to a domestic region or foreign country. The growth of tourism is driven by physical attractions, culture, economics, politics, diseases, sporting events, and demographics. The impacts and management of tourism must consider the carrying capacity, multiplier effects, and negative economic impacts like leakage. Sustainable tourism models are important to maximize benefits and minimize negative consequences.

1. TOURISM
What?
All temporary visits to
another region (domestic) or
country (international)
lasting more than 24 hours.
REASON FOR & TRENDS
IN THE GROWTH OF
TOURISM
-Physical attraction of the area, e.g. national park, forest, beaches, climates; hot &
sunny, seasonality of climate.
-Culture-language, customs, dance, etc
-Economic-exchange rates, foreign currency earns, employment, multiplier effects.
-Political factors-political instability; war, terrorism
-Diseases spread-Ebola in Africa in 1995 led to drop in tourism, other; malaria,
cholera etc.
-Sporting events; world cup (USA, 1994, sea games, Olympics Atlanta 1996.
-Demographic- increase affluence and leisure times, longer holidays, paid holidays,
improve mobility and transport links, more working women.
Impact of tourism Refer Waugh, p 590
Carrying capacity Multiplier effects
Managing tourist
resort/ area Jamaica
Eco-tourism-
Ecuador/Belize
Life cycle model –Waugh, p 595
Negative economic
impact (Leakage)
The carrying capacity of a tourist
resort is the number of visitors that
can be catered for in a resort before
the tourist experiences declines and
the resort becomes less attractive as a
destination.
Amount of tourist income
gained that is subsequently
lost; leaves the country to pay
for import goods, and services
consumed by tourists and
profits on investments
withdrawn by hotel chains,
airlines and travel agencies.
(profits form tourism
exported instead of going to
local people or increasing the
amount available for
government investment.
Multiplier effects: As profit from tourism
increase and become more widespread, profits
begin to trickle down into local economy. This
lead to emergence of more local suppliers &
decrease reliance on foreign imports.