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TOURISM'S THREE MAIN IMPACTAREAS

Negative impacts from tourism occur

when the level of visitor use isgreater than the environment'sability to cope with this use within

the acceptable limits of change.Uncontrolled conventional tourism

poses potential threats to manynatural areas around the world. It

can put enormous pressure on anarea and lead to impacts such as soilerosion, increased pollution,

discharges into the sea, naturalhabitat loss, increased pressure on

endangered species and heightenedvulnerability to forest fires. It often

puts a strain on water resources, andit can force local populations tocompete for the use of critical

resources.

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DEPLETION OF NATURALRESOURCES

Tourism development can put

pressure on natural resourceswhen it increases consumption inareas where resources arealready scarce.

Water resources

Water, and especially freshwater, is one of the most critical

natural resources. The tourismindustry generally overuseswater resources for hotels,swimming pools, golf courses andpersonal use of water bytourists. This can result in watershortages and degradation of

water supplies, as well asgenerating a greater volume ofwaste water..

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Local resources

Tourism can create greatpressure on local resources

like energy, food, andother raw materials thatmay already be in shortsupply. Greater extractionand transport of theseresources exacerbates thephysical impacts

associated with theirexploitation. Because ofthe seasonal character ofthe industry, manydestinations have tentimes more inhabitants inthe high season as in thelow season. A high demand

is placed upon theseresources to meet the highexpectations tourists oftenhave (proper heating, hotwater, etc.).

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Land degradation

Important land resources includeminerals, fossil fuels, fertile soil, forests,wetland and wildlife. Increasedconstruction of tourism and recreationalfacilities has increased the pressure onthese resources and on sceniclandscapes. Direct impact on natural

resources, both renewable andnonrenewable, in the provision of touristfacilities can be caused by the use ofland for accommodation and otherinfrastructure provision, and the use ofbuilding materials.

Forests often suffer negative impacts oftourism in the form of deforestationcaused by fuel wood collection and land

clearing. For example, one trekkingtourist in Nepal - and area alreadysuffering the effects of deforestation -can use four to five kilograms of wood aday.

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POLLUTION

Tourism can cause the same forms of pollution as

any other industry: air emissions, noise, solidwaste and littering, releases of sewage, oil and

chemicals, even architectural/visual pollution.

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Air pollution and noise

Transport by air, road, and rail is continuously increasing inresponse to the rising numbe reported that the number of

international air passengers worldwide rose from 88 million in 1972to 344 million in 1994. One consequence of this increase in airtransport is that tourism now accounts for more than 60% of airtravel and is therefore responsible for an important share of airemissions. One study estimated that a single transatlantic returnflight emits almost half the CO2 emissions produced by all othersources (lighting, heating, car use, etc.) consumed by an average

person yearly.

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Solid waste and littering

In areas with highconcentrations of touristactivities and appealing

natural attractions, wastedisposal is a serious problemand improper disposal canbe a major despoiler of thenatural environment -rivers, scenic areas, androadsides. For example,

cruise ships in the Caribbeanare estimated to producemore than 70,000 tons ofwaste each year. Todaysome cruise lines areactively working to reducewaste-related impacts. Solidwaste and littering candegrade the physicalappearance of the waterand shoreline and cause thedeath of marine animals.

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In mountain areas, trekkingtourists generate a great dealof waste. Tourists onexpedition leave behind theirgarbage, oxygen cylinders andeven camping equipment.Such practices degrade theenvironment with all thedetritus typical of thedeveloped world, in remoteareas that have few garbagecollection or disposalfacilities. Some trails in thePeruvian Andes and in Nepal

frequently visited by touristshave been nicknamed "Coca-Cola trail" and "Toilet papertrail".

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Sewage

Construction of hotels, recreation and other facilities often leads toincreased sewage pollution. Wastewater has polluted seas and lakes

surrounding tourist attractions, damaging the flora and fauna.Sewage runoff causes serious damage to coral reefs because itstimulates the growth of algae, which cover the filter-feeding corals,hindering their ability to survive. Changes in salinity and siltation canhave wide-ranging impacts on coastal environments. And sewagepollution can threaten the health of humans and animals.