Negative tourism impacts

Negative tourism impacts occur when the presence of tourists disrupts the natural environment, social structures, or cultural values of a destination. This can include a range of activities from overdevelopment of tourist infrastructure, to the destruction of natural resources, to the exploitation of local labor. Negative tourism impacts can have long-term consequences that can be difficult to reverse. For tourism managers, understanding the potential negative impacts of their activities is essential to developing a sustainable, responsible approach to tourism that minimizes harm to the environment, local communities, and culture.

Example of negative tourism impacts

• Overdevelopment of tourist infrastructure: This can occur when there is an influx of tourists to a destination, leading to a rapid increase in development of tourist-oriented infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, and attractions. This can have a number of negative impacts, such as increased pressure on the local environment, resources, and infrastructure, as well as displacement of local residents.
• Destruction of natural resources: Tourism can lead to the destruction of local natural resources, such as coral reefs, forests, and wildlife. This can occur due to overdevelopment of tourist infrastructure, as well as activities such as overfishing, poaching, and littering.
• Exploitation of local labor: In some cases, tourists can be exploitative of local labor, paying low wages and providing little to no benefits. This can lead to a lack of job security and a decrease in local wages, and can also lead to a lack of respect for local culture and values.

Types of negative tourism impacts

The types of negative tourism impacts are varied and can range from environmental damage to economic and social disruption. Below is a list of some of the most common types of negative tourism impacts:

• Environmental Damage: This includes the destruction of natural resources, pollution, and the disruption of wildlife habitats caused by tourist activities such as off-road driving, littering, and overdevelopment of tourist infrastructure.
• Economic Disruption: Tourists can cause an increase in the cost of living for local residents, due to rising prices in groceries, housing, and transportation, as well as the displacement of local workers for cheaper foreign labor.
• Social Disruption: Tourists can cause cultural disruption, from the erosion of local customs and traditions, to the exploitation of local labor, to the devaluing of local languages and beliefs.
• Safety Hazards: Tourists can cause an increase in crime, traffic congestion, and other safety hazards in areas they visit, which can affect both visitors and local residents.
• Over-tourism: This occurs when too many tourists visit a destination and overwhelm its infrastructure, leading to overcrowding, overdevelopment, and other negative impacts.

Negative tourism impacts can have a range of consequences on a destination, ranging from environmental degradation to socio-cultural disruption. To better understand and mitigate these impacts, it is important to consider the various steps of negative tourism impacts. These include:

• Overdevelopment of tourist infrastructure: This occurs when the number of hotels, activities, and other tourism-related infrastructure is increased beyond what is needed to cater to the demand of tourists. This can lead to the destruction of natural landscapes, as well as overcrowding and congestion.
• Pollution: Pollution can be caused by increased waste, air, and water pollution from the increased presence of tourists. This can lead to water and air contamination, as well as soil erosion and other environmental damage.
• Exploitation of local labor: This can occur when foreign companies come in and hire local people to work in the tourism industry at a low wage. This can lead to an exploitation of the local population and can also lead to a decrease in wages in the local market.
• Disruption of local culture: This can happen when tourists come in and do not respect the local cultural norms or customs. This can lead to cultural disruption and the erosion of traditional values.
• Over-consumption of natural resources: The presence of tourists can lead to an increase in the consumption of water and energy, as well as the destruction of local flora and fauna. This can lead to an imbalance in the local ecosystem and can cause long-term damage.

Other approaches related to negative tourism impacts

In order to minimize the negative impacts of tourism, a number of approaches can be taken. These include:

• Promoting responsible tourism practices such as waste management, reducing energy consumption, and using local resources;
• Creating policies and regulations that protect the environment and local culture;
• Developing tourism products that are environmentally friendly and culturally sensitive;
• Developing sustainable tourism management plans that take into account the needs of local communities;
• Working with local communities to ensure that they benefit from the tourism industry;
• Education and awareness-raising campaigns to ensure that tourists are aware of their impact and act responsibly.

By taking these approaches, tourism managers can ensure that the industry has a positive impact on destinations, while minimizing the potential for negative impacts. This is essential to creating a sustainable, responsible approach to tourism that preserves the environment, local culture, and the communities that host tourists.

Negative tourism impacts — recommended articles

Social impact — Demerit good — Positive tourism impacts — Conservation of resources — Ecological factors affecting business — Sustainable tourism development — Primary sector of the economy — Ecological sustainability — Natural environment

References

• Archer, B., Cooper, C., & Ruhanen, L. (2012). The positive and negative impacts of tourism. In Global tourism (pp. 79-102). Routledge.
• Postma, A., & Schmuecker, D. (2017). Understanding and overcoming negative impacts of tourism in city destinations: conceptual model and strategic framework. Journal of Tourism Futures, 3(2), 144-156.
• Frent, C. (2016). An overview on the negative impacts of tourism. Revista de turism-studii si cercetari in turism, (22).