Instructions

Critically discuss the following statement: “The positive economic, sociocultural and/or environmental benefits that tourism can achieve for the host community far outweigh any negative impacts brought about by tourism.”

In your discussion you need to use a minimum of two current impact issues (economic, environmental, and/or sociocultural) and discuss both the positive and negative impacts of the issues you choose. Use specific, concrete examples from at least two countries of the Pacific Asia region to demonstrate your argument(s). You may compare and contrast how these impact issues play out in different geographic contexts. These could be, for example, economic benefits versus costs, environmental benefits versus costs, and sociocultural benefits versus costs. Try to explain why there are different outcomes in your different country case studies and how these may be best managed. Finally, conclude whether or not “The positive economic, sociocultural and/or environmental benefits that tourism can achieve for the host community far outweigh any negative impacts brought about by tourism.” As in Assignment 1, you are encouraged to use visual devices such as figures and tables.

Marking criteria

Your essay will be graded according to the following criteria:
• evaluates and discusses the positive and negative impacts of at least two current issues (economic, environmental, and/iqor socio cultural)
• uses specific examples from at least two countries from the Pacific Asia region to support your argument
• evidence of engagement with relevant theory and academic literature
• clear essay structure: introduction, body with paragraphs and conclusion (do not use headings)
• innovative use of visual devices (e.g

. maps, figures, and tables)
• clear and concise expression
• consistent Harvard in-text referencing and reference list.

Answer

Introduction

Tourism brings both positive and negative impact to a given host country especially in the rural parts. The impacts caused by tourism are categorized into economic, environmental and social. Tourism can only be considered as sustainable when the costs (negative impacts) do not outweigh the benefits (positive impacts) (Cleare, 2016). This paper seeks to evaluate how the benefits of tourism outweigh its costs as in the case of Caribbean Islands. The islands are viewed as paradise by tourists globally. From lush rainforests to pristine beaches, Caribbean countries like Cuba and Haiti attracts many people. While tourism brings about economic, social and environmental benefits, it is associated with detrimental impacts as well.

Positive economic impact of tourism

Tourism has major effects on the Caribbean economy. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, tourism contributed to over $30.1 billion of the nation’s revenue in 2016. Although the cost of financing tourism had fluctuated between 2010 and 2016, the revenue realized have been increasing at an average of 5% per annum. Of the total Caribbean GDP, tourism accounted for 13.5 percent in 2016 which was an increase from 12.8 percent in 2015 (Ashley, Goodwin, McNab, Scott, & Chaves, 2016).

The economic benefits have both direct and indirect positive effect on the small business owners and local economies. Compared to the developed countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, poverty is high among the Caribbean countries. In light of this, the tourists have formed foundations with an aim of improving the economic status of the locals. For instance, the UK Travel Foundations uses the products and services offered by the locals, partner with locals as well as employing them to maximize their economic benefits. Tourism has also enhanced the creation of jobs in the transportation and retail industries. The government and the local residents use the revenue realized from tourism to develop social amenities like housing, hospitals, and schools (Ashley, Goodwin, McNab, Scott, & Chaves, 2016).

Negative economic effect of tourism

Although tourism creates many employment opportunities in the Caribbean region, the jobs are poorly paid and seasonal. Moreover, a larger percentage of the revenue realized from tourism projects do not reach the locals. For example, only 15 percent of the revenue realized from the UK Travel Foundation reached the local laborers. Racism also exists in the tourism industry which affects equity division of revenue and employement (Huijbens, 2016).

Positive social impact

Considering the competitiveness of the global tourism industry, each country fights to position itself as the best destination by developing or improving its leisure amenities and infrastructures. Such developments benefit the local communities as well. Tourists are also interested in the local cultural practices and traditional customs. Therefore the local strive to preserve their cultural practices, festival practices, handcraft and customs which would have been abandoned were it not for tourism. The interaction between the tourists and the hosts create awareness of such practices, social issues like abuse of human rights and poverty globally. Through the awareness, Non-government organizations and foundations improve the wellbeing of the host communities (Middleton & Hawkins, 2011).

 

Negative social impact

The culture and behaviour of the visits have a negative effect on the local residents. The improved tourism activities in the Caribbean region has led to congestion and crowding in the beaches and tourism sites which lead to alcohol and drug abuse, increased the level of crime and prostitution. The interaction between the hosts and tourists also lead to the abandonment of traditional values and cultures by the local who relate foreign cultural practices with modernity (Adams, 2017). Lastly, there has been an outcry in the Caribbean countries by the locals who have been displaced from their land to create room for more hotels. Others have been barred from visiting beaches as well. This is a clear evidence infringement of human rights.

Positive environmental impact

Tourism is directly connected to the natural resources. Tourists will only visit a host when natural resources such as beaches, parks, and islands offer the perceived satisfaction. Therefore, the tourism organizations within the Caribbean region have put the measurable effort in preserving the ecosystem. For instance, the movement to oversee ecologically responsible and sustainable tourism was started in the 1990s. Therefore, tourism is a major contributor to the conservation and cultural and tourism sites (Ashley, Goodwin, McNab, Scott, & Chaves, 2016).

Negative environmental impact

Besides the numerous benefits, tourism also has a detrimental effect on the environment. A study conducted in 2002 found out that ships cruising along the Caribbean region dump waste in the sea. The waste, which mainly consists of oil residue, harm the ecosystem. Lastly, tourism also leads to water wastage. According to a study on water usage in the tourism industry, it was established that on average a single guest house consumes between 640 and 6100 liters of water a night. This reduces the water available for the local residents (Huijbens, 2016).

Sustainable tourism

Based on the analyses, the benefits realized from tourism activities in the Caribbean region outweighs the cost. For example, tourism is a major contributor to the region’s GDP and revenue while contributing to the social-cultural development at the same time. However, the negative effects of tourism cannot be ignored. For instance, if the wastes arising from tourism activities are not managed then the lives of the marine and local communities would be endangered. In this regards, there is a need for developing sustainable tourism which takes care of all the stakeholders involved (Middleton & Hawkins, 2011).

First, the local communities should enjoy the full benefits of tourism. However, this had not been the case in the Caribbean where hotels opted to import food and other products instead of buying from the locals. For instance, in 2015 70% of the food products were exported therefore negatively affecting the local economies. The tourism organization has developed partnership between local farmers and hotels owners. Farmers are encouraged to diversify their food production to meet the hotel standards. In doing so, the tourism revenue would remain in the local economy (Adams, 2017).

Second, hotels and restaurants are installing low flow show heads and gravity-flush toilets to reduce water consumption. This is aimed at promoting the welfare of the local communities by increasing the amount of water available to them. Lastly, the Cartagena Convention was established to combat oil spills, handle land pollution and protect tourism sites.

 

References

Adams, S.-A. (2017). Sustainable cruise ship employment for the Caribbean region – a conceptual perspective. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 9 Issue: 1, pp.60-69. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-11-2016-0060

Ashley, C., Goodwin, H., McNab, D., Scott, M., & Chaves, L. (2016). Making Tourism Count for the Local Economy in the Caribbean. London: Funded by UK Travel Foundation.

Cleare, A. B. (2016). Business of Travel and Tourism in the 21st Century: A Caribbean Approach. London: Lulu.com.

Huijbens, E. H. (2016). A Review of “Marketing national parks for sustainable tourism”, by Stephen L. Wearing, Stephen Schweinsberg, and John Tower. Bristol, UK: Channel View Publications.

Middleton, V. T., & Hawkins, R. (2011). Sustainable Tourism: A Marketing Perspective. Science Direct.