Introduction
For a country to benefit a lot from tourism, a lot of investment ought to be directed toward the establishment of a proper infrastructure while trying to ease how tourist navigates across the country in their attempt to visit the various sceneries on offer. This is likely to trigger a high growth in the level of investment as investors try to capitalize on the existing opportunity (Nelson, 2017). The government thus plays a significant role in facilitating the development of a right environment while as well trying to create a great impression. For visitors visiting such facilities, many are prone to have a great experience as they spent their time in these destinations (National tourism strategy, n.d.). On the other hand, the setting up of such facilities usually pushes up the prices of things like land making it hard for locals to own property in such localities.
Economic effects
As a result, big investors are prone to take advantage of the situation only implying that a big chunk of the money earned from these facilities rarely finds its way back towards building the lives of the locals and likely to be displaced from their land while being forced to live in desperation. This explains why most of these communities are usually impoverished and in dire need of help. Some wait for tourists to come to these localities on a seasonal basis before they can at least sell their products to them. Such businesses are usually small in nature and unlikely to sustain their wellbeing. It can as well lead to a regular confrontation with such communities seeking to be compensated by the government. Such attempts rarely avail much and likely to be ignored by policymakers. In case of a lousy disaster taking place, this is bound to affect the expected number of travels and also hurt these markets as was the case during the recession (Simm, 2018).
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Social effects
As a result, one can’t go without acknowledging how the improved infrastructures play a significant role in enhancing the livelihood of the local communities. As these facilities are put up, this also creates employment both formally as well as informally (Wood, 2017). In the attempt to showcase their cultures this can also help preserve such cultures for a considerable amount of time as seen from the handicrafts sold to tourist not forgetting to mention the holding of festivals while trying to create awareness thus improving how they correlate with each other. This can also lead to a mutual exchange while improving how they interact with each other thus limiting the number of disputes recorded. It also creates an awareness of the existence of things like poverty as well as whether the rights of people are being observed (Cerveny & Pacific Northwest Research Station, 2007).
However, while a lot may have come about as a result of such interaction, rarely does it go without experiencing encounters when some tourists engage in detrimental activities with the locals. Some have even taken advantage of the existing levels of poverty while exploiting the less fortunate. In their attempt to seek a living the locals are, therefore, likely to engage in things like prostitution which is blamed to have contributed to an influx in the number of those who are infected with sexually transmitted diseases. Due to poverty, some are forced to go live in a slum where the living conditions are rarely hospitable only exposing them to other risks such as crime. In their bid to forget about their troubles some go as far as drinking alcohol just to forget about their troubles. While this may be so, drug addiction has also increased among such communities only escalating the situation due to hopelessness (Simm, 2018).
One of the main reasons lead to such development has been the rise in the number of squatters most of who may have lost their land due to the setting up of such facilities and are unable to own property owing to their low-income levels. Civic discord can as well become the order of the day with some landing in prison despite having families who in this case may be forced to struggle while trying to make a living (Capper, 2010). Children born to such parents can as well fall out of school and thereby ending up living the same kind of life as their parents implying that they too aren’t spared. The locals may also find it hard to access essential amenities with things like a public beach being taken over by investors only implying that they may still have to consider paying to access such facilities. It has also contributed to an erosion of cultures among such communities with many keen on embracing the western kind of life. It is made worse with some opting to marry tourist most of who may be too old for them only because of the financial gain attached.
Environmental effects
To a great extent, the setting up of such facilities may at times fail to observe the ecological impact on the ecosystem. For instance, while setting up such facilities in the wild, this is prone to affect the migration pattern of wild animals most of which may be forced to consider other migration routes. While doing so, this can still lead to human-wildlife conflicts with the poor forced to encroach on game reserves while looking for pasture (In Goossling, In Hall & In Scott, 2015). It is still prompted by the changing weather patterns making life unbearable in the wild. However, such facilities as well help curb illegal activities by the locals now that they are also employed and likely to earn a good living from these facilities. At times, when less development is initiated in specific regions, most communities are likely to find themselves embroiled in regular conflicts despite having an enormous resource at their disposal. It can, therefore, end up robbing them of their lives as most of such communities experience un-occasioned deaths which may be avoided while fighting for the existing resource. A lot of emphases is directed at safeguarding the current assets as opposed to merely taking time to appreciate their existence (O'Reilly & Murphy, 2010). It also explains why most governments set up bodies as well as parks while seeking to preserve these treasures despite being exposed to illegal activities such as poaching as it is the case across the world with some animals now almost facing extinction (Tisdell, 2005).
In conclusion, while a lot of resources may be earned from tourism activities much is still at stake with the setting up of such facilities in locations thereby leading to an escalation in land prices which can also lead to the rise of homelessness. It is accompanied by other issues such as the rise of prostitution as the locals try to make a living. It also pushes up the level of illegal activities with an increase of crime and drug addiction being rampant in such regions. While much income is realized huge traffic in tourism, this could also overwhelm such regions with littering being a common feature only leading to an escalated level of pollution. Whenever it happens, natural sites are always put at the risk of extinction and blamed on the increased rate of pollution. It is, therefore, wise to consider embracing a logical approach when initiating such policies.
References
Capper, D. (2010). Terrorism, tourism and consumer behaviour: The effects of terrorism on the decision making process of tourists . Saarbrücken: LAP.
Cerveny, L. K., & Pacific Northwest Research Station (Portland, Or.). (2007). Sociocultural effects of tourism in Hoonah, Alaska . Portland, OR: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.
In Gössling, S., In Hall, C. M., & In Scott, D. (2015). The Routledge handbook of tourism and sustainability .
Nelson, V. (2017). An introduction to the geography of tourism . Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
O'Reilly, A., & Murphy, D. (2010). National parks: Biodiversity, conservation and tourism . New York: Nova Science Publishers.
Simm, C. (2018). Positive & Negative Effects of Tourism . Traveltips.usatoday.com. Retrieved from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/positive-negative-effects-tourism-63336.html .
National tourism strategy 2013-2018. Department of tourism ministry of east Africa, commerce and tourism. Retrieved from Tourism New Zealand four year strategic plan . New Zealand tourism. Retrieved from
Tisdell, C. A. (2005). Economics of environmental conservation . Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Pub.
Wood, D. C. (2017). Anthropological considerations of production, exchange, vending and tourism . Bingley, UK: Emerald Publishing.
