The Tourist Industry

1. Introduction
a. Tourism, accounting for over 10% of the worlds GDP, is an activity of global
importance, predicted to double in size every ten years.
b. Thus, tourism play a significant role in many countries economic and social
development.
c. Tourism is enjoyed chiefly by the populace of developed countries, people who
can afford to travel; who have enough leisure time and motivation to see the
world.
d. Tourism is a booming business. The industry offers a great variety of facilities
and services, which range from package tours to more unusual kind, for
example:
i. snowbirds go south in the winter
ii. bird watchers (or twitchers) specialize in watching birds
iii. business tourists take time to enjoy far-away places while on a business
trip.
2. Benefits of Tourism
a. Tourism has significant positive impact on a countrys economy and culture.
b. Tourism, as a major source of foreign exchange earnings, bring in government
revenues. Industries and private individuals engaged in tourism also make
considerable profits.
c. Tourism creates employment, especially in the service sector, and improves job
and earning prospects.
d. Tourism stimulates investment. Upgraded infrastructure and new facilities
bring higher living standards to citizens living in areas favoured by
holidaymakers.
e. Tourism keeps alive and revives local traditions and crafts, generates pride in
local culture, helps protect local heritage and strengthens communities.
3. Negative Aspects of Tourism
a. Environmental effects
i. In tourist facilities water and energy are overused.
ii. Air pollution caused by air, road or rail transport is closely linked to acid
rain and global warming.
iii. Waste generated by tourism and improper waste disposal seriously
degrades the environment. Sewage pollution threatens human health and
our planets flora and fauna.
iv. The development of tourist facilities leads to the degradation of
ecosystems. Many activities pursued by tourists also damage the
environment; may destroy wildlife habitats, affect rainforests, coral
reefs, alpine or costal regions.
b. Socio-cultural impact
i. Forcing local culture to cater for tourist demands, tourism may gradually
erode a communitys identity and heritage.
ii. Tourism does not always promote mutual understanding. It sometimes
brings about cultural clashes, especially if foreigners look down on the

locals, being regardless of their problems and interests. This

disrespectful behaviour may trigger negative attitude towards tourists.
iii. Tourism often causes an increase in the incidence of crime: theft,
mugging, prostitution, not to mention drug dealing and terrorism.
iv. Travelling is responsible for the rapid spread of diseases around the
globe.
c. Economic impact
i. Tourism frequently increases prices, building costs and land values,
adversely affecting the locals.
ii. Over-reliance on tourism can devastate an economy if the number of
tourists decreases owing to recession, war or natural disasters.
4. Sustainable Tourism
a. Sustainable tourism, also known as ecotourism or green tourism, offers practical
solutions to counteract the drawbacks of tourist industry.
b. Sustainable tourism aims at minimising adverse ecological, cultural, economic
and social impacts, and maximising benefits to conservation and to locals.
i. Policies governing the tourist industry should focus on the
interdependence between tourism, culture and environment.
ii. Tourism sites should be developed in a responsible fashion, regulated by
an overseeing body.
iii. Conserving endangered countryside should receive high priority.
iv. Tourists should realise the importance of environmentally conscious
behaviour.
VOCABULARY:
play significant role in sg
chiefly
populace
package tour
major source
foreign exchange
revenue
prospect
holidaymaker
be closely linked to sg
waste disposal
degrade
threaten
coral reef
erode
trigger
recession
devastate
counteract
interdependence

jelents szerepet jtszik vmiben

kizrlagosan
lakossg
trsasutazs
f forrs
deviza
ad, illetk
kilts
dl (szemly)
szorosan kapcsoldik vmihez
hulladkhasznosts
rombol
veszlyeztet
korallztony
erodl, elkoptat
kivlt, elidz
recesszi, gazdasgi pangs, visszaess
elpusztt
ellenslyoz, kzmbst
sszefggs, klcsns egymsrautals