Tourism Planning Essay Example

these impacts is the first step, and researchers have identified numerous impacts related to tourism. Categorizing these impacts provides insight into the possible effects of developing tourism in a community.

The text below provides a concise format to list important tourism impacts. If readers require more information about certain impacts, they can contact professionals or refer to tourism texts and research papers. It is important to note that not every community will experience all of these impacts. Some impacts are specific to certain natural resources or development and spatial patterns, such as "tourist zones." Others are influenced by the social condition of the community, particularly its ability to culturally or socially interact with tourists. Additionally, the type and intensity of tourism developments can also affect the impacts experienced, including approval or hostility towards tourist activities.

The text emphasizes the importance of cooperative planning among local elected officials, the tourism industry, and community residents in order to manage the impacts of tourism development. Planning can help minimize costs and disruptions to other aspects of community life. Community involvement and considering different perspectives during planning can help identify and resolve concerns early on.

Economic Impact

Tourism generates employment opportunities, ranging from low-wage entry-level positions to high-paying professional roles in management and technical fields, thereby increasing income and improving living standards. Particularly in rural areas, tourism diversification is beneficial for communities that rely on a single industry. As tourism develops, it creates additional opportunities for investment, development, and infrastructure spending.

Tourism has a beneficial effect on various public utilities, such as water, sewer, sidewalks, lighting, parking, public restrooms, litter control, and landscaping. These enhancements are advantageous for both tourists and residents.

Furthermore, tourism contributes to the development of transportation infrastructure by improving roads, airports, public transportation systems, and alternative modes like trails. Additionally, tourism encourages the diversification of retail options by introducing new elements to the mix of shops available in an area. This creates more opportunities for shopping and promotes healthy competition.

Tourism has various economic impacts. Tax revenues, such as lodging and sales taxes, air travel and transportation taxes, business taxes, and fuel taxes can contribute to a community's income. Moreover, tourism can generate new jobs that lead to additional income tax revenues. It is important to note, however, that many of these jobs are low-paying and seasonal which may result in under-employment or unemployment during off-seasons. In some cases, external labor may be brought in instead of hiring locally due to specific skills or a lack of available local workforce. Additionally, certain tourism-related businesses can be volatile and high-risk making them challenging to sustain. Finally, the increased demand for goods, services, land, and housing caused by tourism can result in higher prices and an elevated cost of living.

Tourism businesses have the possibility of obtaining land with higher value or for different purposes. This could result in profits being returned to non-local owners and corporations instead of benefiting the community. Consequently, the community may need to raise funds through increased taxes to maintain roads and transportation systems. Additionally, if there is a demand for more infrastructure such as water, sewerage, electricity supply, fuel stations, and medical facilities, it would also require attention.

) is required, additional taxes may also be needed to pay for them.

Social and Cultural

The assessment of the social and cultural effects of tourism

is essential as it can enhance or damage communities. Tourism contributes diverse values to the community and influences individual behaviors and family dynamics. Both individuals and the community may strive to adjust to tourists or embrace tourist traditions.

Interactions between residents and tourists can have positive or negative impacts on creative expression. Tourists can bring new opportunities for creativity, but they may also impose restrictions that stifle individuality. Increased tourism can lead to changes in moral conduct within a community. On the positive side, it can foster improved understanding between sexes. However, it can also result in increased illicit drug use.

Furthermore, as tourism grows, safety and health facilities tend to increase alongside staffing levels. Unfortunately, this often leads to an increase in safety problems such as crime and accidents. Traditional ceremonies may either be renewed and revived by tourist interest or overshadowed by alternative activities.

Community organizations have the choice to embrace the opportunities brought by tourism or become overwhelmed by its associated problems. Calamities like natural disasters, energy shortages, terrorism, political upheaval, disease outbreaks, chemical spills or widespread negative publicity can abruptly shut down tourism; however, they sometimes attract curious visitors.

Tourism has the potential to enhance the quality of life in an area by increasing attractions availability alongside recreational opportunities and services offered.Tourism offers residents the chance to engage with fascinating individuals, establish friendships, acquire knowledge about different cultures, and develop fresh outlooks on life.

Experiencing different cultural practices not only enhances experiences but also broadens perspectives and promotes understanding and appreciation for diverse ways of life. In many cases, the decline in interest towards the customs and traditions of host cultures can be revitalized by including

cultural heritage in tourism initiatives, thereby creating a higher demand for historical and cultural exhibitions. The interest demonstrated by tourists in local culture and history opens up opportunities to protect and preserve historical artifacts and architecture. By gaining a deeper understanding of others, their differences become less intimidating and more fascinating at the same time. Additionally, tourism often leads to increased emotional satisfaction through the various opportunities it offers and interactions with fellow travelers.

Tourism in a community can have negative social and cultural consequences as well. The relaxed atmosphere of tourist areas often leads to an increase in illegal activities. Specifically, areas with beaches, alcohol-related festivals, and ski villages experience a rise in underage drinking. The presence of tourists provides a perfect setting for anonymity, attracting smugglers and buyers of smuggled products. The community also undergoes lifestyle changes, such as altering travel patterns to avoid tourist congestion and avoiding downtown shopping. These alterations can harm the social and cultural fabric of the community. There is also the issue of tourism development encroaching into residential areas, with hotels, restaurants, and shops pushing for changes in the community's physical structure. Moreover, the development of tourist facilities in prime locations can lead to locals feeling excluded from accessing those resources. Additionally, the local cultural practices and language may change to fit the needs of tourism.

In areas where there are long-term visitors, such as condo tourists or RVers, social groups may form and clash with the local community. These groups may try to influence local matters based on their own interests. The presence of tourists can also result in a "demonstration effect" where residents start adopting tourist behaviors. Furthermore,

the development of tourist facilities can bring about changes in traditions, especially in more traditional cultures. This can impact dating customs and cause stress within families due to the potential for meeting and marrying non-local partners.

Environmental Impact

Areas that have valuable natural resources, like oceans, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, unique flora and fauna, and breathtaking scenery attract both tourists and new residents who desire a deep emotional and spiritual connection with nature.

These individuals are dedicated to conserving and safeguarding specific natural environments, instead of developing them. They believe that offering recreational activities to visitors can generate income, which can be used to preserve historic buildings and monuments. Additionally, the area's appearance can be enhanced through cleanup efforts, repairs, and the inclusion of public art such as murals, water fountains, and monuments. These improvements benefit both residents and visitors. However, it is important to acknowledge that although tourism is commonly regarded as a "clean" industry reliant on hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions rather than factories, it can still contribute to environmental degradation.

When visitors come, they bring waste and pollution such as air, water, solid waste, noise, and visual pollution. The provision of tourist services can also change the appearance of the landscape. Visual pollution can be caused by an excess of billboards. As tourism expands, there is a bigger need for land in sought-after locations like beaches, scenic views, and mountains. If not properly handled, natural landscapes and open spaces may be lost.

The destruction or loss of flora and fauna can occur through the collection for sale of desirable plants and animals, as well as through the trampling of land. Tourists or businesses serving them often extract plants,

animals, rocks, fossils, coral, and cultural or historical artifacts from an area. Uncontrolled visitation or excessive use by visitors can degrade landscapes, historic sites, and monuments. In areas where water is scarce, tourists can place a burden on the available supply. Travelers can also unintentionally introduce non-indigenous species, as can the increased trade of animals and plants. The continual influx of visitors and domestic pets can disrupt wildlife by disturbing their breeding cycles and altering natural behaviors.