Does tourism harm?

[reviewer]

Tourism is a huge source of income for many countries, including some very poor nations. However, do you think tourism harms the local culture and way of life?

[oo87]

Not at all, I think it increases an awareness and appreciation to be in another country and seeing the cultural differences. So often we neglect to learn about other peoples, or try to really understand them. But what better way then to go there and see, and experience, for yourself?

[2010]

It depends, I'm sure that in some cases tourism may cause some harm such as pollution especially in an area where there's no one keeping an eye on them they might dump trash while locals won't.

However, for the most part I see it as a positive source of income.

[RBseatown]

Tourism is healthy for an economy, and definitely helps more than it harms. I can understand certain people not wanting a lot of tourism around their place of residence, but there are bound to be locations and cities that people want to visit. It should be looked at as a good thing. When people come from all around to spend money in one city, the city is going to thrive.

[Liquid]

Tourism doesn't harm anything. Tourists come in along with their money, not with weapons of mass destruction or something. :) Besides tourism helps poor countries by making richer countries aware of the hardship faced by the poor nations. It also helps to strengthen relationships between different countries and cultures. Overall I can't think of one bad thing about tourism.

[rajan17_88]

why do you think tourism harms??? tourism are a great revenue to the country or even we can sat that its a wealth of a country definitely its not a harm.

[jonathon]

No tourism does not harm anyone or country, but does make that country a little money on the side to help the government, some places around the world need that money from tourism.

[johnnyD]

It's INCREDIBLE how all of you say nothing about the harmful effects it can have...

I mean do you even THINK? Do you know what complex network of systems everything in this world is made up of? Please somebody tell me they can see effects of tourism????

Take these:

- Pollution from air travel
- Destruction of wildlife for building resorts

And just look at this statement from the United Nations: (http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2005/sgsm10234.html)

At the same time, tourism must be managed carefully to prevent a wide range of harmful effects that are becoming all too visible in many popular destinations. These include destruction of natural heritage through overbuilding; ever higher demands on scarce water and energy resources; damage to ecologically fragile areas caused by irresponsible development; threats to indigenous cultures; exploitation of workers; organized sex tourism, and -- most tragic of all -- child sex tourism, which affects millions of children each year.

[2010]

Yeah I had mentioned pollution before, but air travel in general would happen regardless. Some people travel not so much for tourism but for business matters etc.

As for resorts, it is still possible to allow tourism without resorts. But without a doubt those areas that overdo the resorts are causing unnecessary harm.

[katiebelle]

no one has considered that fact that some countries dont want tourists. heaps of asian and african countries dont advertise for thats fact. and i dont just mean the ones that are controlled by their government/army. they are perfectly happy living the lives they have and dont want the money tourism brings in or the people.

[Lorena_Palin]

WARNING: Long winded Rant Ahead

Tourism turns places that have a real distinct local culture and turns it into Americanized crap. See people in other countries, for the most part, make food it a really unique traditional way, and Americans don't like that.

See in the US, when we get Chinese food, it's basically KFC with soy sauce. I mean we don't get fish heads, octopus, chickens feet, or even "normal" dishes that aren't overloaded with oil and meat. I've eaten at some really "authentic" places in Chinatown, where I'm the only white person there, and I have no idea what I'm getting, and it's GREAT. I mean sometimes the food is a little wierd, but for the most part, Americans don't touch this stuff.

Now, you get a bunch of tourists, load them on a plane, send them somewhere, and what happens? The little kids don't like fish unless it is cut into bricks and fried. The mom is on a diet and can't believe they used real pork fat in one of the dishes, they all can't handle the spiciness because they were raised on taco bell.

And as soon as the local restaurants realize this, they start switching over to making stuff that I could EASILY find here in the states. Oh, and then you get resorts, and westernized bars/nightclubs everywhere...great...woo...the point of travel is to experience something different, not go to a hotel or club that could just as easily be in Maryland as Jamaica.

Watch Anthony Bourdain No Reservations. It will show you the real contrast between tourist food and real food. Or, even better, go to another country for a little, don't stay at a fancy hotel, eat where the locals do, and have an adventure.

[royale23]

Most of the most popular travel destinations around the world depend on tourism to fuel their economies. If it wasn't for the tourism industry, these countries would have an economic meltdown. Tourism is something that benefits both parties involved.