Environmental and Social Impacts of Tourism in the Uk

Discuss the environmental and societal strikes of touristry in the UK and consider whether the benefits exceed the costs. Tourism is a fast growing industry and a valuable sector, contrisolelying signifi disregardtly to the economy (The kindly & ethnic Impacts of Tourism, n. d. ). It has been generally accepted that touristry is, for the most part and with comparatively few exceptions, beneficial to both generating and destination countries (Holloway, 2009, p. 114).Some researchers be less genuine that this is the case. This essay pass on discuss the environmental and social oppositions of tourism in the UK considering whether the benefits exceed the costs. The socio-cultural impacts on waiter communities are the result of direct and confirming relations with tourists and of interaction with the tourism industry. For a variety of reasons, host communities a good deal are the weaker party in interactions with their guests and service providers (Socio-cultural impacts, n . d. ).It is very difficult to tax the way in which the presence of large issuing of tourists affects the association and glossiness of host areas. In many cases, the effects are gradual, invisible and complex. (Davidson, 1993, p. 165). The impacts can be dictatorial, such(prenominal)(prenominal) as the case where tourism enhances the cultural sub between cardinal distinct populations. The impacts can also be prejudicious, such as the commercialisation of arts and crafts and ceremonies/rituals of the host populations (Cooper, Fl and so oner, gigabit & Wanhill, 1998).Some of the beneficial impacts of tourism on society include the following the creation of employment, the revitalisation of low-down or non-industrialized regions, the rebirth of topical anaesthetic arts and crafts and traditional cultural activities, the revitalization of social and cultural life-time of the local population, the renewal of local architectural traditions, and the promotion of the need to conserve area of outstanding beauty which grow aesthetic and cultural value (Mason, 2003, p. 43).In Britain, for example, many great buildings from eighteen and cardinal century would have been lost had it not been possible to convert these factories, mill around and warehouses into living museums for the tourist (Holloway, 2002). With the increasing secularization of Western societies, it is also tourists who will ensure that great cathedrals survive as the costs of maintaining these buildings for dwindling add up of worshippers can no longer be borne by the ecclesiastical governing alone(Holloway, 2009, p. 114).Whole inner-city and dockland areas have been restored and developed to make them attractive as tourist sites. Moreover, capital of the United Kingdom would be a poorer place without its tourists 40 percent of West finish up theatre tickets are bought by tourists (Holloway, 2002, p. 354). Tourists use of public transport enables residents to make love a better and c heaper service than would otherwise be possible (Holloway, 2009, p. 114). republic crafts, pubs, even restoration of traditional pastimes such as Morris dancing, all owe their survival to the presence of the tourist (Holloway, 2003, p. 55). on that point is also the socio-cultural impact of tourism on the visitor population. For instance, the growth of UK tourists visiting Spain throughout the 1960s and mid-seventies resulted in culinary and beverage careens in the UK (paella and Rioja wine being two Spanish products that benefited from this exchange) (Cooper, Fletcher, Gilbert & Wanhill, 1998, p. 169). Visitors to Australia adopted the edge-based lifestyle and the barbecue when they returned home (Cooper, Fletcher, Gilbert & Wanhill, 1998).However, tourism has the reputation for major detrimental effects on the society and culture of host areas (Mason, 2003, p. 43). Tourism can cause change or loss of indigenous identity and values, culture clashes, social stress, ethical issu es, crime, deteriorating running(a) employment conditions ( damaging Socio-Cultural Impacts from Tourism, n. d. ). Tourism can induce change or loss of local identity and values, brought about by several(prenominal) closely related influences commercialization of local culture, standardisation or adaption to tourists demands (Socio-cultural impacts, n. . ). For example, creating molas, which are the blouses worn by Kuna women in Columbia, is an art that began with spirit that reflected the world of the world, of nature, and the spiritual life of the Kuna Nation. Now it is increasingly being transformed, through tourism, into a commercial trade which causes loss of its spiritual value and quality (Negative Socio-Cultural Impacts from Tourism, n. d. ). Cultural clashes may further arise from economic inequality, exacerbation due to tourist behaviour like disregarding the dress label in Muslim countries, and job level friction.Moreover, increased tourism decrease is ca utilise se vere social stress to local communities. Stress evolves from resourcefulness use conflicts, cultural deterioration, conflicts with traditional land-uses. Partly due to the above impacts, tourism can create more serious situations where ethical and even criminal issues are involved child labour, prostitution and sex tourism (Socio-cultural impacts, n. d. ). There is growing concern of the global spread of AIDS and increasing impact of tropical and sexual diseases on more adventurous mass tourists (Holloway, 2009, p. 14). all over the last few years second-home tourism has become more popular, emerge as an important part of the tourism sector in a number of countries. Second homes are usually located near attractive locations, such as the sea, lakes, mountains or rural areas and often have a connection to their owners origins (Pedro, n. d. ). Surveys revealed that half a million English households owns second homes remote of the UK.Sometimes incomers blend in and little conflict or damage results, but where larger groups settle may transform local culture and undermine traditions (Holloway, 2009). Tourism also impacts a key factor in tourism the environment. The environment is made up of both natural and human features (Mason, 2003, p. 52). As soon as tourism activity takes place, the environment is inevitably changed or modified either to facilitate tourism or during the tourism fulfill (Cooper, Fletcher, Gilbert & Wanhill, 1998, p. 150). The impact can be positive or negative.The positive environmental impacts associated with tourism include the preservation/restoration of ancient monuments, sites and past buildings, such as the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids (Egypt), the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge and Warwick Castle (UK) the creation of internal parks and wildlife parks, such as Yellowstone Park (USA), Fjord Land case Park (New Zealand) protection of reefs and beaches, the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) the maintenance of forests such as the New Fores t (UK) (Cooper, Fletcher, Gilbert & Wanhill, 1998, p. 151).The world is full of examples of single buildings and whole areas which have been given a new lease of life by the tourism industry (Davidson, 1993, p. 131). The following have been regarded as negative environmental impacts pollution, congestion, erosion (Holloway, 2002). Much of the damage done to the environment is caused by volume of visitors arriving at destinations which are not used to supporting multitude in such great numbers (Davidson, 1993). The technological complexity of modern-day living has led to various forms of pollution air pollution, urine pollution, tone pollution, visual pollution.Air pollution can be a cause of large tourist movement using mass transportation and fuel trim down from aircrafts (Holloway, 2002). Untreated sewage, fuel spillage and rubbish from pleasure boats contribute to water pollution (Davidson, 1993). Noise, too, must be considered a form of pollution. Aircrafts taking off an d landing at busy airports can severely disturb local residents, as well as noise from vehicles or tourist attractions bars, discos, etc. Visual pollution can be ascribed to insensitivity in the design of buildings for tourism.For example, British towns are losing their local character, as builders choose to build in ubiquitous London brick rather than the materials available locally (Holloway, 2002, p. 356). The worst examples of this are the solid rows of hotels which are often developed along coastlines, to the extent that the beach and the sea are almost blocked from the view of those living in the original coastal towns (Davidson, 1993, p136). Perhaps the most significant problem created by mass tourism is that of congestion (Holloway, 2002, p. 358).Congestion on the streets, queues in shops and overcrowding on buses and trains are the inevitable consequences of the mass influx of tourists into towns and cities (Davidson, 1993, p. 137). Many popular rural sites such as National parks are at risk from the number of visitors they receive. Over 100 million visitors visit the UKs National place each year (Holloway, 2002). Vegetation also suffers in area of lofty tourist intensity as constant trampling and crushing by feet and car wheels can lead to erosion and to disappearance of fragile species.Many footpaths in Britain are being widened to such an extent that the surrounding areas are damage serious erosion (Davidson, 1993, p. 133). In conclusion, there is clear evidence that host communities perceive both costs and benefits (Nickerson & Jennings, 2006, p. 195) and it is commonly observed that the environmental and social impacts are less desirable (Jafari, 2003, p. 297). Measurements of the various types of impacts of tourism are undertaken using very different methods and indicators (Jafari, 2003).For example, environmentalists may measure the volume of global endure and its impacts (Holloway, 2009), and social impacts may be examined through question naire surveys. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to combine the results of such studies to ascertain if the benefits exceed the costs (Jafari, 2003, p. 297). Mark Ellingham, founder of Rough Guides, say during one interview in 2007 that It is hard to say the positive impact travelling has can ever outweigh the damage done by simply travelling to the destination.Balancing all the positives and negatives, Im not convinced(p) there is such a thing as a accountable or ethical holiday. Bibliography Cooper, C. , Fletcher, J. , Gilbert, D. , Wanhill, S. (1998). Tourism Principles and Practices. Harlow Pearson Education Limited. Davidson, R. (1993). Tourism (2nd Edition). Harlow Longman crowd Limited. Holloway, C. (2002). The Business of Tourism (6th Edition). Harlow Pearson Education Limited. Holloway, C. (2009). The Business of Tourism (8th edition). Electronic version. Harlow Pearson Education Limited.Jafari, J. (2003). cyclopedia of tourism. Electronic Version. Oxon Routle dge Mason, P. (2003). Tourism Impacts, Planning and Management. Oxford Butterworth-Heinemann. Negative Socio-Cultural Impacts from Tourism (n. d. ). Retrieved December 8, 2010, from UNEP website http//www. unep. fr/scp/tourism/sustain/impacts/sociocultural/negative. htm Nickerson, N. , Jennings, G. (2006). Quality tourism experiences. Electronic version. Oxford Butterworth-Heinemann Page, S. , (2003). Tourism Management managing for a change. Oxford Butterworth-Heinemann.Pedro, A. (n. d. ). Urbanization and second-home tourism. Retrieved December, 8, 2010, from http//www. download-it. org/free_files/filePages%20from%2010%20Urbanization%20and%20second-home%20tourism. pdf Socio-cultural impacts. (n. d. ). 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