LECTURE SEVEN

ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF TOURISM

Lecture 7 Outline

7.1 Introduction
7.2 Objectives
7.3 Importance of Environmental Management in Tourism
7.4 Negative Environmental Impacts of Tourism
7.4.1 Depletion of Natural Resources
7.4.2 Pollution
7.4.3 Physical Impacts
7.4.3.1 Development Activities
7.4.3.2 Tourist Activities
7.5 Environmental impacts of Tourism at the Global Level
7.5.1 Loss of Biological Diversity
7.5.2 Depletion of the Ozone Layer
7.5.3 Climate Change
7.5.4 How Global Environmental Impacts Affect Tourism
7.6 Contribution of Tourism to Environmental Protection and Conservation
7.7 Summary
7.8 Terminal Questions
7.9 References

7.1 Introduction

This lecture addresses the general question of how tourism impacts the environment. Tourism is an
activity that involves people visiting places of interest, both locally and globally, and exploring various
new activities and experiences for business or leisure. Until the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early
2020, more and more people were venturing out to explore the world. The World Tourism Organization
has projected that international tourism visits will reach 1.8 billion by 2030 (WTO 2011). As you may
recall from the previous lecture, the high number of travelers involved in tourism has made tourism to
play a crucial role in the economies of many countries. The importance of tourism is reflected in world
tourism statistics, as you may remember from what you learned in Lecture Seven.

Whereas the economic value of local and global economies cannot be gainsaid, concerned parties are
distressed about its impact on the environment. Anxiety about environmental impacts of tourism arises
not only from accumulating evidence of more pollution from travelers, but also from concern that
tourists are damaging habitats and cultural heritage sites all over the world. It will be argued in the final
section of this this lecture that despite this genuine and earnest unease about the negative impacts of
tourism, tourism can, in fact, contribute positively to the environment through its contribution to
environmental conservation and protection. In view of this background, the aim of this lecture is to

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analyze the competing environmental dimensions of travel and tourism and their associated
socio-economic concerns at local and global levels.

7.2 Objectives By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:

1. Explain why environmental management should have a

clear grasp of the environmental impacts of tourism.
2. Examine the negative impacts of tourism at the local
level.
3. Evaluate the environmental impacts of tourism at the
global level.
4. Discuss how tourism can contribute to environmental
conservation and protection.

7.3 Importance of Environmental Management in the Tourism Industry

With the rise in sustainable tourism and an increased number of initiatives for being environmentally
friendly, tourists and other stakeholders now recognize the importance of environmental management in
the tourism industry.

Tourism is at large, a diffuse global industry that has been growing constantly in the past 10 years or so,
despite constant crises. As explained earlier, till the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020,
more and more people were venturing out to explore the world with projections that international
tourism visits will reach 1.8 billion by 2030 (WTO 2011).

That tourism uses nature as part of its products is undeniable. According to Ralf Buckley people travel to
visit other people and other places, and that iconic attractions include nature as well as culture: national
parks as well as famous buildings (Buckley 2011, pp.398). Buckley goes on to point out that about a fifth
of the global travel and tourism industry, worth around a trillion U.S. dollars a year, relies heavily on
outdoor/natural environments and that in countries such as Kenya, Costa Rica, and New Zealand,
(countries without a large urban tourism subsector) the proportion is up to four-fifths (Buckley 2011,
pp.398-399).

Many tourist activities need natural environments. Tour operators combine components into
purchasable products, packaging them to appeal to particular market segments. The components
include travel and transport, accommodation and catering, and activities and entertainment; and each
has environmental aspects.

Tourism also includes independent travelers, notably families on holiday in their own cars, and these
travelers may also select a mixture of nature-based and urban components.

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It is a paradox that tourism often destroys the very things that it relies on – the environment! If careful
tourism planning and management is not undertaken, many tourism activities can have adverse
environmental effects.

As will be discussed in the next section, potential adverse effects may be due to industrial development,
changes in infrastructure or the introduction of new a substance into the environment. Despite the
downside of tourism’s environmental impacts, as will become clear in the final part of the lecture,
tourism has the potential to create beneficial effects on the environment by contributing to
environmental protection and conservation. It is a way to raise awareness of environmental values and it
can serve as a tool to finance protection of natural areas and increase their economic importance.

There is a need for increased awareness about the complex nature of tourism, and to be aware of its
dangers so that new ways can be identified and tourism based on sustainable development concepts can
be carried out.

A clean environment is a basic component of quality service and is thus important for the development
of travel, tourism, and hotel industries. Sustainable prosperity of travel, tourism, and hotel businesses
also calls for the inclusion of environ-mental protection components in every phase of their
business venture, from the preparation and application of site plans and business programs and
policies to daily routine practices. Tourism has the potential to destroy the avail-able common
environmental resources through overuse and poor management practices, as limited information
disclosure and poor monitoring of actions encourage the perpetuation and extension of environmental
problems. (Tambovceva 2010, p.728)

7.4 Negative Environmental Impacts of Tourism

Negative environmental impacts of tourism occur when the level of visitor use in a destination is greater
than the ability of the environment to cope with this use. The negative environmental impacts of tourism
are manifested clearly at the local and global levels. Since they are interlinked, we need to address both
of them. In this section, we shall address the local level whilst we look at the global level in the next
section.

Uncontrolled conventional tourism (mass tourism) threatens many natural areas around the world. It
can put enormous pressure on an area and lead to impacts like: soil erosion, increased pollution,
discharges into the sea, natural habitat loss, increased pressure on endangered species and heightened
vulnerability to forest fires. It often puts a strain on water resources, and it can force local populations to
compete for the use of critical resources.

The negative environmental impacts of tourism at the local level can be divided into three main
categories:

● Depletion of natural resources

● Pollution
● Physical impacts

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 - Physical impacts from development activities
- impacts from tourist activities

I will explain each of these negative environmental impacts below:

7.4.1 Depletion of Natural Resources

Tourism development can put pressure on natural resources when it increases consumption in areas
where resources are already scarce. Some of the most common noted examples include using up water
resources, land degradation and the depletion of other local resources.

● Water resources

The tourism industry generally overuses water resources for hotels, swimming pools, golf courses and
personal use of water by tourists. This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies,
as well as generating a greater volume of waste water.

In drier regions, like the Mediterranean, the issue of water scarcity is of particular concern. Because of
the hot climate and the tendency for tourists to consume more water when on holiday than they do at
home, the amount used can run up to 440 liters a day. This is almost double what the inhabitants of an
average Spanish city use.

Golf course maintenance can also deplete fresh water resources. In recent years golf tourism has
increased in popularity and the number of golf courses has grown rapidly. Golf courses require an
enormous amount of water every day and this can result in water scarcity. Furthermore, golf resorts are
more and more often situated in or near protected areas or areas where resources are limited,
exacerbating their impacts.

● Land degradation

Important land resources include fertile soil, forests, wetlands and wildlife. Unfortunately, tourism often
contributes to the degradation of said resources. Increased construction of tourism facilities has
increased the pressure on these resources and on scenic landscapes.

Animals are often displaced when their homes are destroyed or when they are disturbed by noise. This
may result in increased animals deaths, for example road-kill deaths. It may also contribute to changes in
behavior.

Animals may become a nuisance, by entering areas that they wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) usually go into,
such as people’s homes. It may also contribute towards aggressive behavior when animals try to protect
their young or savage for food that has become scarce as a result of tourism development.

Picturesque landscapes are often destroyed by tourism. Whilst many destinations nowadays have limits
and restrictions on what development can occur and in what style, many do not impose any such rules.

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High rise hotels and buildings which are not in character with the surrounding architecture or landscape
contribute to a lack of atheistic appeal.

Forests often suffer negative impacts of tourism in the form of deforestation caused by fuel wood
collection and land clearing. For example, one trekking tourist in Nepal can use four to five kilograms of
wood a day!

There are also many cases of erosion, whereby tourists may trek the same path or ski the same slope so
frequently that it erodes the natural landscape. Sites such as Machu Pichu have been forced to introduce
restrictions on tourist numbers to limit the damage caused.

● Local resources

Tourism can create great pressure on local resources like energy, food, and other raw materials that may
already be in short supply. Greater extraction and transport of these resources worsens the physical
impacts associated with their exploitation.

Because of the seasonal character tourism, many destinations have ten times more inhabitants in the
high season as in the low season.

A high demand is placed upon these resources to meet the high expectations tourists often have (proper
heating, hot water, etc.). This can put significant pressure on the local resources and infrastructure, often
resulting in the local people going without in order to feed the tourism industry.

7.4.2 Pollution

Tourism can cause the same forms of pollution as any other industry: Air emissions; noise pollution; solid
waste and littering; sewage; oil and chemicals. The tourism industry also contributes to forms of
architectural/visual pollution.

● Air pollution and noise

Transport by air, road, and rail is continuously increasing in response to the rising number of tourists and
their greater mobility. In fact, tourism accounts for more than 60% of all air travel.

It has been estimated that a single transatlantic return flight emits almost half the CO2 emissions
produced by all other sources (lighting, heating, car use, etc.) consumed by an average person yearly-
that’s a pretty shocking statistic!

As will become clear in the next section when we focus on the global impacts of tourism, air pollution
from tourist transportation has impacts on a global level, especially from CO2 emissions related to
transportation energy use. This can contribute to severe local air pollution. It also contributes towards
climate change.

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Fortunately, technological advancements in aviation are seeing more environmentally friendly aircraft
and fuels being used worldwide, although the problem is far from being cured. If you really want to help
save the environment, the answer is to seek alternative methods of transportation and avoid flying.

Noise pollution can also be a concern. Noise pollution from aircraft, cars, buses, etc. can cause
annoyance, stress, and even hearing loss for humans. It also causes distress to wildlife and can cause
animals to alter their natural activity patterns.

● Solid waste and littering

In areas with high concentrations of tourist activities and appealing natural attractions, waste disposal is
a serious problem, contributing significantly to the environmental impacts of tourism. Improper waste
disposal can be a major despoiler of the natural environment. Rivers, scenic areas, and roadsides are
areas that are commonly found littered with waste, ranging from plastic bottles to sewage. Cruise
tourism in the Caribbean, for example, is a major contributor to this negative environmental impact of
tourism. Cruise ships are estimated to produce more than 70,000 tons of waste each year.

Whilst it is generally an unwritten rule that you do not throw rubbish into the sea, this is difficult to
enforce in the open ocean. In the past cruise ships would simply dump their waste while out at sea.
Nowadays, fortunately, this is less commonly the case, though you would expect that there are still
exceptions.

Mountain areas also commonly suffer at the hands of the tourism industry. In mountain regions, trekking
tourists generate a great deal of waste. Tourists on expedition frequently leave behind their rubbish,
oxygen cylinders and even camping equipment.

● Sewage

The construction of hotels, recreation and other facilities often leads to increased sewage pollution.
Unfortunately, many destinations, particularly in the developing world, do not have strict law
enrichments on sewage disposal. As a result, wastewater has polluted seas and lakes surrounding tourist
attractions around the world. This damages the flora and fauna in the area and can cause serious
damage to coral reefs. Sewage pollution threatens the health of both humans and animals.

● Aesthetic Pollution

Often tourism fails to integrate its structures with the natural features and indigenous architecture of the
destination. Large, dominating resorts of disparate design can look out of place in any natural
environment and may clash with the indigenous structural design.

A lack of land-use planning and building regulations in many destinations has facilitated sprawling
developments along coastlines, valleys and scenic routes. The sprawl includes tourism facilities
themselves and supporting infrastructure such as roads, employee housing, parking, service areas, and
waste disposal. This can make a tourist destination less appealing and can contribute to a loss of appeal.

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7.4.3 Physical Impacts

The physical impacts of tourism on the environment are manifested in two forms:

- Physical impacts from development activities

- impacts from tourist activities

7.4.3.1 Physical Impacts from Development Activities

The tourism industry itself has a number of negative physical impacts that arise from development
activities in the development of the tourism industry. These include the construction of buildings,
marinas, roads, etc., as elaborated below:

● Construction activities and infrastructure development

The development of tourism facilities can involve sand mining, beach and sand dune erosion and loss of
wildlife habitats.

The tourist often will not see these side effects of tourism development, but they can have devastating
consequences for the surrounding environment. Animals, for instance, may be displaced from their
habitats and the noise from construction may upset them. In some coastal tourism destinations, in order
to develop resorts, huge sections of coastlines are demolished so as to be able to use the sand for
building purposes. This often has severe consequences for the wildlife living in the area.

● Deforestation and intensified or unsustainable use of land

Construction of ski resort accommodation and facilities frequently requires clearing forested land. Land
may also be cleared to obtain materials used to build tourism sites, such as wood. The Amazon
Rainforest today continues to witness the clearance of huge areas of forest.

Coastal wetlands are also often drained due to lack of more suitable sites. Areas that would be home to
a wide array of flora and fauna are turned into hotels, car parks and swimming pools.

● Marina development

A marina is a specially designed harbor with berths for pleasure yachts and small boats. The building of
marinas and ports can also contribute to the negative environmental impacts of tourism. Development
of marinas and breakwaters can cause changes in currents and coastlines. These changes can have vast
impacts ranging from changes in temperatures to erosion spots to the wider ecosystem.

● Reef-based tourism developments

Coral reefs are especially fragile marine ecosystems. They suffer worldwide from reef-based tourism
developments and from tourist activity. Evidence suggests a variety of impacts to coral result from
shoreline development. Increased sediments in the water can affect growth. Trampling by tourists can

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damage or even kill coral. Ship groundings can scrape the bottom of the sea bed and kill the coral.
Pollution from sewage can have adverse effects.

All of these factors contribute to a decline and reduction in the size of coral reefs worldwide. This then
has a wider impact on the global marine life and ecosystem, as many animals rely on the coral for as
their habitat and food source.

7.4.3.2 Tourist Activities

The last point worth mentioning when discussing the environmental impacts of tourism is the way in
which physical impacts can occur as a result of tourist activities. This includes tramping, anchoring,
cruising and diving. The more this occurs, the more damage that is caused. Natural, this is worse in areas
with mass tourism and overtourism.

● Trampling

Tourists using the same trail over and over again trample the vegetation and soil, eventually causing
damage that can lead to loss of biodiversity and other impacts. Such damage can be even more
extensive when visitors frequently stray off established trails.

● Anchoring and other marine activities

In marine areas many tourist activities occur in or around fragile ecosystems. Anchoring, scuba diving,
yachting and cruising are some of the activities that can cause direct degradation of marine ecosystems
such as coral reefs. Habitats can be degraded by tourism leisure activities. For example, wildlife viewing
can bring about stress for the animals and alter their natural behavior when tourists come too close.

7.5 Environmental Impacts of Tourism at the Global Level

Tourism negatively impacts the environment at the global level through three (3) main ways:

- loss of biological diversity

- depletion of the ozone layer
- climate change

As we shall see at the end of this section, tourism not only impacts the environment; global
environmental impacts affect tourism especially through natural disasters and climate change, which
have very adverse consequences for tourism.

7.5.1 Loss of Biological Diversity

Biological diversity, or simply biodiversity, refers to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it
forms. Biodiversity is important because at least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of
the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life,
the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to
such new challenges, as climate change.

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The major challenge associated with biodiversity is its loss. Biodiversity has declined by more than a
quarter in the last 35 years. The consequences of biodiversity loss are as follows:

- It threatens our food supplies, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and sources of wood,
medicines and energy.
- It interferes with essential ecological functions such as species balance, soil formation, and
greenhouse gas absorption.
- It reduces the productivity of ecosystems, thereby shrinking nature's basket of goods and
services, from which we constantly draw.
- It destabilizes ecosystems and weakens their ability to deal with natural disasters such as floods,
droughts, and hurricanes, and with human-caused stresses, such as pollution and climate
change.

Tourism, especially nature tourism, is closely linked to biodiversity and the attractions created by a rich
and varied environment. It can also cause loss of biodiversity when land and resources are strained by
excessive use, and when impacts on vegetation, wildlife, mountain, marine and coastal environments
and water resources exceed the carrying capacity. This loss of biodiversity in fact means loss of tourism
potential.

Intext Question

How can the introduction of exotic species in a destination lead to loss of

biodiversity?

Tourists and suppliers - often unwittingly - can bring in species (insects, wild and cultivated plants and
diseases) that are not native to the local environment and that can cause enormous disruption and even
destruction of ecosystems.

7.5.2 Depletion of the Ozone Layer

The ozone layer (see Fig. 8.1 on the next page), which is situated in the upper atmosphere (or
stratosphere) at an altitude of 12-50 kilometers, protects life on earth by absorbing the harmful
wavelengths of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which in high doses is dangerous to humans and
animals. For instance, one of the reasons scientists have put forward for the global decrease of
amphibian populations is increased exposure to UV radiation.

Ozone depleting substances (ODSs) such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon) and halons have contributed to
the destruction of this layer. The tourism industry may be part of the problem; direct impacts start with
the construction of new developments and continue during daily management and operations.
Refrigerators, air conditioners and propellants in aerosol spray cans, amongst others, contain ODSs and
are widely used in the hotel and tourism industry. Emissions from jet aircraft are also a significant source

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of ODSs. According to Tourism Concern, scientists predict that by 2015 half of the annual destruction of
the ozone layer will be caused by air travel.

FIGURE 8.1: Ozone Layer within Stratosphere Contains Highest Concentration of Ozone

UNEP's OzonAction Programme works with governments and industries, including the tourism industry,
to phase out ODSs and find safer alternatives. UNEP has developed extensive information and guidance
on how many types of businesses can eliminate ODSs and contribute to preservation of the ozone layer.
For further reading see the publication How the Hotel and Tourism Industry can protect the Ozone Layer.

7.5.3 Climate Change

Climate scientists now generally agree that the Earth's surface temperatures have risen steadily in recent
years because of an increase in the so-called greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat from
the sun. One of the most significant of these gases is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is generated when
fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas are burned (e.g. in industry, electricity generation, and
automobiles) and when there are changes in land use, such as deforestation. In the long run, the
accumulation of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can cause global climate change - a
process already occurring.

Global tourism is closely linked to climate change. Tourism involves the movement of people from their
homes to other destinations and accounts for about 50% of traffic movements; rapidly expanding air
traffic contributes about 2.5% of the production of CO2. This explains why tourism is a significant
contributor to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Air travel itself is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Passenger jets are the fastest growing
source of greenhouse gas emissions. The number of international travelers increased from 594 million in

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1996 to 1.6 billion in 2020, adding greatly to the problem unless steps are taken to reduce emissions.
(Source: WWF)

7.5.4 How Global Environmental Impacts Affect Tourism

Global environmental impacts affect tourism mainly through natural disasters and climate change, which
have very adverse consequences for tourism as explained below.

● Natural disasters

Catastrophes like floods, earthquakes, wildfires, volcanoes, avalanches, drought and diseases can have a
serious effect on inbound and domestic tourism and thus on local tourism industries. The outbreak of
the foot and mouth disease epidemic in England earlier this year (2001), for instance, severely affected
Great Britain's inbound tourism market.

● Climate change

Tourism not only contributes to climate change as explained in the previous sub-section, but is affected
by it as well. Climate change is likely to increase the severity and frequency of storms and severe
weather events, which can have disastrous effects on tourism in the affected regions. Some of the other
impacts that the world risks as a result of global warming are drought, diseases and heat waves.

Take Note

Malaria, the world's largest killer, has resurfaced in Spain, and it is estimated
that changes in climate will result in parts of the country becoming a suitable
habitat for malaria-carrying species of mosquito by the 2020s.

These negative impacts can keep tourists away from some holiday destinations. Global warming may
cause:

- Less snowfall at ski resorts, which means a shorter skiing seasons in the Alpine region in
countries like Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Slovenia
that rely on winter tourism, tourists will stay away because of immense heat, and out of fear of
diseases and water shortages.
- Harm to vulnerable ecosystems such as rainforests and coral reefs because of rising
temperatures and less rainfall. A major risk to coral reefs is bleaching, a phenomenon which
happens when coral is stressed by temperature increases, high or low levels of salinity, lower
water quality, and an increase in suspended sediments. The Great Barrier Reef located off the
coast of Queensland, northeastern Australia, in the Coral Sea, which supports a US$ 640 million
tourism industry, has been experiencing coral bleaching events for the last three decades.
- Rising sea levels, the result of melting glaciers and polar ice. Higher sea levels will threaten
coastal and marine areas with widespread floods in low-lying countries and island states,

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 increasing the loss of coastal land. Beaches and islands that are major tourism attractions may
be the first areas to be affected.
- Increased events of extreme weather, such as tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons. These are
already becoming more prevalent in tourist areas in the Caribbean and South East Asia.
Hurricane Mitch in 1998, for instance, heavily affected tourism in the Caribbean. Wind damage,
storm waves, heavy rains and flooding caused major losses in the local tourism sector. According
to the Spanish Forestry Service ICONA almost 250,000 hectares of forest burned between 1985
and 1994. In recent years the number of forest fires has increased following periods of extreme
dryness in the same region like France, Italy and Portugal. Nowadays, large areas of forest and
parkland may be closed off to visitors.

7.6 Contribution of Tourism to Environmental Conservation

Despite the numerous negative impacts of tourism to the environment locally and globally as discussed
in the previous two sections, it is important for us to appreciate that tourism can, indeed, contribute to
environmental conservation. Tourism can contribute to environmental conservation in the following six
(6) main avenues:

- Direct financial contributions

- Contributions to government revenues
- Improved environmental management and planning
- Raising environmental awareness
- Regulatory measures
- Protection and preservation

These positive contributions of tourism to the environment are elaborated below:

● Direct financial contributions

Tourism can contribute directly to the conservation of sensitive areas and habitat. Revenue from
park-entrance fees and similar sources can be allocated specifically to pay for the protection and
management of environmentally sensitive areas. Special fees for park operations or conservation
activities can be collected from tourists or tour operators.

Organizations can also collect special fees from tourists and tour operators for conservation activities or
park operations.

● Contributions to government revenues

Contributions to government revenues can also help aid environmental initiatives. For instance, income
taxes, user fees, sales tax and license fees can all provide funds needed to manage natural resources.
They may be used for conservation programs and activities, or they may be put towards park
maintenance and park ranger salaries. For example, the Seychelles Government in the Indian Ocean is
introducing a US$ 90 tax on travelers entering the Seychelles. The revenue is used to preserve the
environment and improve tourism facilities. (UNEP, report to the CSD, 1999)

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 ● Improved environmental management and planning

Effective environmental management of tourism facilities and especially hotels can increase the benefits
to natural areas. But this requires careful planning for controlled development, based on analysis of the
environmental resources of the area. Planning helps make choices between conflicting uses, or to find
ways to make them compatible. By planning early for tourism development, damaging and expensive
mistakes can be prevented, avoiding the gradual deterioration of environmental assets significant to
tourism.

Cleaner production techniques can be important tools for planning and operating tourism facilities in a
way that minimizes their environmental impacts. For example, green building (using energy-efficient and
non-polluting construction materials, sewage systems and energy sources) is an increasingly important
way for the tourism industry to decrease its impact on the environment. And because waste treatment
and disposal are often major, long-term environmental problems in the tourism industry, pollution
prevention and waste minimization techniques are especially important for the tourism industry.

● Raising environmental awareness

Raising environmental awareness can help contribute to environmental conservation. When tourists are
brought closer to nature, they develop a heightened awareness of the value of nature, and they are
encouraged to engage in environmentally conscious behavior and activities.

Companies can help to raise environmental awareness. Monument Valley Tours Co. in the United States,
for example, will take tourists through a one-of-a-kind landscape while explaining the history and
traditions of the area. The tour helps visitors gain a new appreciation for the environment and brings
them closer to nature.

In Honduras, school children are brought from the capital city to the La Tigra cloud forest visitor center.
The trips, funded partly by eco-tourist dollars, allow children to learn about the intricacies of the
rainforest.

The tourism industry can play a key role in raising awareness among tourists of the environmental
impacts of their behavior.

● Regulatory measures

Regulatory measures can promote tourism without damaging the environment. Government regulations
can help offset some of the negative impacts of tourism. In some countries, regulations limit the number
of tourist activities and movement of visitors in protected areas. These regulations help limit the impact
on local ecosystems while maintaining the integrity of the site.

A good example of this is drawn from the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, a county in South America
whereby only a limited number of ships are allowed to cruise through and only certain islands can be
visited. Putting limits on ships and visitors minimizes the impact on the environment and animal
habitats.

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 ● Protection and preservation

Protection and preservation of endangered species draws nature-loving Tourists. Tourism has actually
had a positive impact on wildlife preservation and protection efforts in various countries in Africa, Asia,
South America, the South Pacific and Australia. Through the designation of wildlife reserves and laws
that protect animals, nature-loving tourists are drawn to these areas and the wildlife is able to flourish.

Protection and preservation efforts have helped several endangered species begin thriving again. A good
example of successful revival of endangered species beginning to thrive again include is that of several
whale species in south Atlantic and south Pacific Oceans. Another example is that of sustained
conservation efforts in the Virunga Massif in East Africa that have led to the revival of mountain gorilla
populations.

7.7 Summary With the rise in sustainable tourism and an increased number of initiatives for
being environmentally friendly, tourists and stakeholders alike are nowadays
increasingly recognizing the importance of environmental management in the
tourism industry. Tourism uses nature as part of its products. About a fifth of
the global travel and tourism industry is based on natural resources. Many
tourist activities need natural environments. Tour operators, for example,
combine components into purchasable products, packaging them to appeal to
particular market segments; what is important is that each of these has
environmental aspects. It is a paradox that tourism often destroys the very
things that it relies on! If careful tourism planning and management is not
undertaken, many tourism activities can have adverse environmental effects.

Negative environmental impacts of tourism occur when the level of visitor use
in a destination is greater than the ability of the environment to cope with this
use. These negative impacts of tourism at the local level can be divided into
three main categories: firstly, depletion of natural resources, such as, water
resources, land degradation and local resources; second, pollution, including
noise pollution, disposal of solid waste and littering, sewage disposal and
aesthetic pollution; and third, physical impacts that appear in two forms. The
first concerns the physical impacts arising from development activities like
construction activities and infrastructure development, deforestation and
intensified or unsustainable use of land, marina development, and reef-based
tourism developments. The second is that of physical impacts resulting from
tourist activities including trampling, anchoring and other marine activities

Third, just like at the local level, tourism negatively impacts the environment at
the global level. This happens through three main avenues: loss of biological
diversity, depletion of the ozone layer and climate change. Global
environmental impacts affect through natural disasters and climate change.

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 Catastrophes like floods, earthquakes, wildfires, volcanoes, avalanches,
drought and diseases can seriously affect both inbound and domestic tourism.
On its part, climate change can increase the severity and frequency of storms
and severe weather events, which can have disastrous effects on tourism in the
affected regions. The prevalence of droughts, diseases and heat waves globally
today is attributed to global warming.

Not all environmental impacts of tourism are negative. In some cases, tourism
has positive impacts as well! Tourism has the potential to create beneficial
effects on the environment by contributing to environmental protection and
conservation. Tourism can offer both direct financial contributions and
government revenues as well, which can go a long way in raising awareness of
environmental values and serve as a tool to finance protection of natural areas
and increase their economic importance. Regulatory measures by tourism
management can promote tourism without damaging the environment. By
drawing nature-loving tourists, tourism can help in the protection and
preservation of endangered species as reflected in the revival of some species
that were previously endangered.

7.8 Terminal
Questions Question 1

(a) What are the positive and negative environmental impacts of

tourism?
(b) Using clear examples drawn from different parts of the world,
explain how climate change can adversely affect tourism.

Question 2

Using clear examples drawn worldwide:

(a) Evaluate the environmental impacts of tourism at the global level.

(b) How do the global environmental impacts affect tourism?

7.9 References
Buckley, R. (2011) “Tourism and Environment”, Annual Review of
Environment and Resources, 36, pp. 397–416.

GoK (2020) Impact of Covid 19 on Tourism in Kenya, the Measures Taken

and the Recovery Pathways. Available at:

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 https://www.tourism.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/COVID-19-and-
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