Work in A/B pairs. A, list the positive effects of tourism. B, list the negative effects. Think of examples. Then compare your lists and discuss. c The Travel and Tourism industry Economic importance Despite periods of turmoil1 due to economic crises, natural disasters (like volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods and earthquakes) or terrorism, the Travel and Tourism (T&T) industry remains one of the most important economic sectors worldwide; it promotes growth and stimulates investment. As far as revenue is concerned, T&T provides much-needed foreign currency earnings for developing countries and generates exports in advanced economies. Austria, for example, which in 2021 came twelfth in the overall rankings of tourism destinations, needs incoming tourism as this contributes towards a positive balance of trade. Tourism is essential for a positive balance of trade in many countries. In addition to its contribution to GDP, T&T is vital for job creation. According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism is the biggest source of employment worldwide. In 2019, 334 m people were directly or indirectly employed in tourism and related industries; due to the Covid-19 pandemic this figure dropped to 272 m in 2020. Cost of tourism When it comes to the negative impact of tourism, in particular of mass tourism, it has become customary to talk about its human and environmental cost. As regards human cost there is the destruction of indigenous lifestyles ranging from traditional village life in Austrian skiing resorts to tribal customs in African countries. Prostitution and the spread of the AIDS virus because of sex tourism in countries like Thailand, for example, are further negative aspects. The Covid-19 pandemic also showed how tourism can help to spread a virus and its mutations to and from even the remotest corners of the world. The harmful environmental impact of mass tourism mostly concerns the waste and depletion of natural resources on the one hand, and pollution on the other. It is a well-known fact that the water and energy consumption of tourist resorts – complete with swimming pools and golf courses – far exceeds that of the local population. Similarly, exhaust fumes from cars and airplanes, sewage from hotel complexes and rubbish left by tourists on mountains and beaches pollute air, water and soil. Another factor is the impact of tourism and especially air travel on climate change. It remains to be seen whether a carbon tax on aviation fuel will have any mitigating effect on this. Tourism in developing countries In the second half of the 20th century, tourism was considered a panacea for the economic problems of developing countries and a quick road to growth and development – these hopes were partly shattered. Instead of staying in the poor countries, most of the revenue generated by tourism is repatriated to the US or Europe, where the headquarters of airlines and hotel chains are located. Moreover, well-paid executive jobs usually go to expatriates while vacancies for unskilled or low-skilled work are filled by locals. Future outlook The idea of ‘sustainable tourism’, a form of tourism that does not destroy its own resources – be it natural or human resources or cultural assets – was introduced by the WTO as early as 1988. Although a lot has happened in this respect since then, recently experts from the World Economic Forum again stressed the need to transform ‘classic tourism’ driven by considerations of growth and market share to ‘smart tourism’: green, clean, ethical, qualityconscious and customer-oriented. 1 turmoil: being in confusion or disorder 136 Language skills Extras Explore 11 Tourism Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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