IMPACTS

OF
TOURISM
Impacts of tourism
Over the past twenty years, there has been a growing awareness of the negative
impacts of tourism on the environment and societies it occurs in. Initially, mass tourism
along the Spanish coast and other areas was not a concern for its negative effects on
local communities.

Recent years have seen the emergence of concepts like eco-tourism, responsible
tourism, and sustainable tourism, driven by increased research into the various impacts
tourism generates and the strategies to manage these impacts more carefully.

The positive and negative impacts of tourism are typically classified under the following
headings:

• Economic impacts
• Environmental impacts
• Social impacts
• Cultural impacts
Economic Impacts
POSITIVE

Tourism is a rapidly growing and global industry that generates income for businesses and offers
numerous employment opportunities, with this trend continuing for the past 50 years.

In the UK, inbound tourism generates £19 billion annually, while domestic tourism, including day trips
and stays, generates over £60 billion. 1.4 million jobs are directly related to tourism, contributing to
employment in the country.

Tourism not only generates employment and income but also enhances INFRASTRUCTURE, including
road and rail improvements, airport development, and utilities like water supply and
telecommunications, benefiting local communities through improved facilities for tourists.

NEGATIVE

Often, the arrival of numerous visitors increases the cost of goods and services, causing locals to pay
more for food, drinks, and transportation. In popular tourist areas, shops often cater more to tourists,
leading to the opening of more gift shops and restaurants rather than those providing goods and
services for locals.

Locals often pay additional taxes to finance services provided to tourists, such as water treatment
facilities and tourist information centers.
Economic Impacts
NEGATIVE

Holiday areas with numerous second homes, especially in National Parks and coastal areas, often
increase housing prices, making it difficult for locals, especially young people, to buy their first
property. This negative economic impact of tourism can lead to conflicts between locals and tourists,
as second home ownership is a common issue in these areas.

Tourism has a significant negative economic impact, leading to a decline in traditional employment
as workers shift from farming, mining, and fishing to service jobs in the tourism industry.

OVER-DEPENDENCY on tourism can lead to sudden decreases in tourists visiting a destination

due to changes in tastes, fashions, or external pressures, resulting in job losses and business
closures.
Environmental Impacts
POSITIVE

Tourism often has more negative environmental impacts than positive ones, but increased awareness
of the need for effective environmental management has helped mitigate these negative effects in
recent years.

Tourism can positively impact a destination's environment and, in some cases, act as a catalyst for
environmental change.

The United Kingdom has preserved former industrial sites and derelict land as tourist attractions,
while rehabilitating disused canals for tourism purposes, showcasing the country's commitment to
sustainable development.

Tourism can boost funding for historic building renovations, ensuring preservation for future
generations by boosting the restoration of castles, churches, and cathedrals.

NEGATIVE

Travel and tourism, including trains, cars, aircraft, and ships, significantly impact the environment by
consuming fuel and producing emissions, leading to atmospheric pollution and contributing to
climate change.
Environmental Impacts
NEGATIVE

Tourism often has more negative environmental impacts than positive ones, but increased awareness
of the need for effective environmental management has helped mitigate these negative effects in
recent years.

The environmental impact of travel has gained acceptance in recent years, leading to increased
efforts to reduce these effects, such as improving fuel efficiency in aircraft and vehicles and
exploring new fuel types.

Increasingly, schemes are being implemented in historic cities and National Parks to reduce pollution
and congestion caused by motor vehicles, such as park and ride schemes and encouraging visitors to
use public transport.

Environmental pollution from travel, traffic, air, noise, litter, and water is a significant issue that
damages buildings, disrupts nightlife in busy resorts, and poses a threat to people and animals.
Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment.

The European Union BLUE FLAG BEACH scheme has prompted local authorities to implement
measures to reduce pollution and make beaches safer, addressing past unsafe conditions due to
untreated sewage
Environmental Impacts
NEGATIVE

Tourism often leads to negative environmental impacts, such as congestion and overcrowding, due to
excessive car usage within or near a destination

Overcrowding is a phenomenon where the number of visitors at a destination exceeds its capacity,
causing spoilage of the experience, such as on a beach, in a historic town, or at a natural attraction.

Negative environmental impact involves destroying an area's natural landscape through erosion
caused by activities like walking and horse-riding, and causing the loss of plant and animal habitats.
Social Impacts
POSITIVE

Travel is driven by the desire to meet new people and explore diverse cultures, often leading to
enhanced understanding among people from different societies.

Tourists often benefit from new and improved facilities, including attractions and catering facilities,
which allow them to enjoy themselves in restaurants or visit attractions built primarily for tourist use
in a tourist destination.

Tourists often gain respect for local lifestyles and improve local communities' skills and social status
through increased tourism. Well-managed tourism developments encourage locals to undertake
education and training, fostering a sense of belonging and participation in the development process.

NEGATIVE

Negative social impacts are primarily linked to conflicts between tourists and host communities,
often resulting from locals' resentment of tourists taking over their community. Anti-social behavior
from tourists is often the primary cause of these conflicts, as they often cause disturbances in the
local community.

Negative social impacts include increased crime in the area, including prostitution, illegal gambling,
drug dealing, and robbery, often due to criminal gangs exploiting tourists and locals, rather than
being related to local people.
Social Impacts
NEGATIVE

Another common issue tourist areas are implementing strategies to maintain a consistent visitor flow
throughout the year, reducing the impact of seasonal unemployment.

The issues mentioned are more prevalent in mass tourism areas, larger cities, and certain less
developed destinations, where local people and tourists often face minimal conflict.
Cultural Impacts
POSITIVE

Tourism can help preserve traditional customs like music, dance, and theater, while also boosting
demand for locally-produced foods and drinks.

Tourism can stimulate local arts and crafts production and sales, meeting visitor needs and
preserving traditional skills, while also reinforcing a region's cultural identity by promoting the
production and sale of these arts and crafts.

NEGATIVE

Tourism is increasingly recognized as a potential threat to an area's cultural identity, particularly in

regions experiencing rapid mass tourism development.

Tourism often favors international food and drinks over local ones, influenced by the global spread of
fast food chains and multinational drink brands. Additionally, the staging of events, dances, or music
for tourists can degrade or mock local culture, such as some Spanish dancing, further highlighting
the negative cultural impact of tourism.

Tourists are becoming more aware of their potential impact on local culture and heritage, and are
less willing to support activities that exploit local traditions and culture.
 Case study – Impacts of tourism on a UK Destination – Cardiff
Cardiff has become a significant UK city break destination, with tourism becoming increasingly important due to
various factors.

The Millennium Stadium was constructed in 1999 for the Rugby World Cup, allowing the city to host major sporting
events and attract major stars for concerts, as it was conveniently located near the city center.

Cardiff Bay experienced significant growth due to the redevelopment of the area, the establishment of major
leisure facilities like Millennium Centre, and the removal of many derelict industrial buildings.

The hosting of major sporting events like the Ashes Cricket Test and the Ryder Cup at the SWLEC Stadium and
Celtic Manor in Newport provided global exposure to Cardiff and south-east Wales.

The UK has excellent transport links, with fast mainline trains from London to Cardiff and the M4 providing
excellent road access, and the Second Severn Crossing aiding south-east Wales.

Cardiff Bay has a range of visitor attractions.

 Case study – Impacts of tourism on a UK Destination – Cardiff

The Welsh Assembly Government is providing free entry to a variety of

cultural attractions.

The Welsh Assembly Government was established in Cardiff, thereby

promoting the city as the Capital of Wales.

The company offers a diverse range of accommodations to cater to

various tourist types.

The Copthorne Hotel at Culverhouse Cross is one of many four-star hotels in Cardiff.
Economic Impacts
Positive Economic Impacts

The 20-year re-development of Cardiff Bay has significantly improved the city's physical environment, transforming it
into a "superlative maritime city" that can compete with any other city globally, as the project's aim was achieved

Cardiff Bay project aimed to increase tourism but also positively impacted the environment. Key buildings like Pierhead
have become tourist attractions, while new ones like St David's Hotel add interest. The Cardiff Bay barrage created a new
lake for water sports and other tourist facilities. Old industrial buildings have been redeveloped into hotels, further
enhancing the city's tourist appeal. Overall, the project has positively impacted the environment.

Cardiff Bay St David's Hotel

Pierhead Cardiff Bay Barrage

Negative Environmental Impacts

The construction of a barrage in Cardiff Bay has had negative environmental effects, reducing the number and types of
birds in the mudflats and temporarily covering the new lake with algae, making water sports difficult.

The re-development of Cardiff Bay generally has more positive environmental impacts than negative ones.

Cardiff faces traffic congestion and pollution issues, particularly during major matches and concerts held at the
Millennium Stadium, which is a common issue in tourist cities.

Social impacts
Positive Social Impacts

Cardiff's tourism development has positively impacted the social impact of learning about Wales' culture, language, and
traditions. Attractions like Cardiff Castle, St Fagan's, and the National Museum of Wales at Cathays Park showcase
Wales' history and culture. The people of Wales are proud of their heritage and eager to educate visitors about Welsh
culture, a sentiment shared by many other countries.

The Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay offers concerts and entertainment featuring Wales' culture, allowing tourists to
appreciate the country and its people, and provides an opportunity to appreciate Wales' rich history.
 The Millennium Centre has
become important in
celebrating the culture of
Wales.

The city's extensive array of restaurants, cafes, and entertainment options has greatly benefited locals.

The city is renowned for its association with author Roald Dhal and
television programs like Dr Who and Torchwood.
Negative social impacts

Cardiff faces issues with excessive alcohol consumption among visitors, particularly
during'stag' and 'hen' parties and sports fan events. Local residents are upset by the
congestion and disturbance during major events at the Millennium Stadium, which may upset
locals.

Cardiff's tourism development over the past decade has been successful, thanks to the
construction of the Millennium Stadium and the redevelopment of Cardiff Bay, with the
positive impacts outweighing the negatives.
Thank
you very
much!