Tourism benefits and drawbacks

In general, tourism has several advantages as a sector for pro-poor economic growth (Ashley et al., 2000):

Ø The consumer comes to the destination, thereby providing opportunities for selling additional goods and services.
Ø Tourism is an important opportunity to diversify local economies. It can develop in poor and marginal areas with few other export and diversification options. Remote areas particularly attract tourists because of their high cultural, wildlife and landscape value.
Ø It offers labour-intensive and small-scale opportunities compared with other non-agricultural activities, employs a high proportion of women and values natural resources and culture, which may feature among the few assets belonging to the poor.
In case tourism is being considered as one of several land use options, an assessment should be carried out of the likelihood of all the benefits and drawbacks, or advantages and limitations. At the same time, they represent the key issues to bear in mind in impact assessments and in strategies to maximise tourism's benefits and minimise negative impacts. Note that especially many of the disadvantages are not unique to tourism, but can be attributed to other economic activities in rural areas as well. The table gives a listing of the main points, as they have emerged from numerous analyses of tourism practice (many interesting cases illustrating these issues and ways to address them can be found in Boo, 1990; Lindberg, 1991; Wight, 1991; Whelan, 1992; Wells & Brandon, 1992; Lindberg et al, 1993 and 1998; McIntyre, 1993; Ceballos-Lascurain, 1996; France, 1997; Goodwin et al., 1998; Ashley et al., 2000; Carey et al., 2000).

Table. Advantages and Limitations of Tourism for Development




Advantages
- the positive scenario




Limitations and disadvantages

- the negative scenario



For local development


Ø Jobs (also for labour force with little formal education)

Ø Community income

Ø Enterprise opportunities

Ø Opportunities for training skills and upward mobility

Ø Diversify livelihoods

Ø Improved infrastructure and community facilities in marginal areas

Ø Institutional development

Ø Renewed cultural pride and self-esteem, appreciation of natural and cultural heritage

Ø Recreational and cultural facilities can also be used by residents


Ø Menial jobs only

Ø A ‘bad deal’ for communities

Ø Limited spin-off, high leakage

Ø Limited investment in training

Ø Inequitable distribution of all the above

Ø Conflict with agriculture and livelihood strategies. Risky investment.

Ø Infrastructure only for tourists, not residents, may result in hostility

Ø Local conflicts exacerbated

Ø Control by outsiders

Ø Disempowerment of residents

Ø Cultural disruption

Ø Conflicts over land rights

Ø Conflicts over resources between locals and migrants attracted by tourism success

Ø Possible competition with tourists for basic commodities makes them too scarce or expensive for locals (water, staple foods)





For economic growth


Ø Growing industry

Ø Steady prices (compared to traditional exports)

Ø Job creation, spin-off enterprises, and multiplier effects

Ø Attracts private investment

Ø Economic diversification

Ø Sustainable utilisation of natural assets

Ø Increased markets for local products




Ø Volatile demand

Ø High leakage out of economy; enclave tourism with few spin-offs

Ø Private control not partnership

Ø Over-dependence

Ø Over-use of natural resources

Ø May divert investments from other sectors or regions of higher local importance to tourism infrastructure elsewhere







For conservation


Ø Improved environmental quality

Ø Increased local benefits from wildlife justify its management as a land use option

Ø Enhanced local appreciation of values of nature

Ø Enhanced environmental awareness among tourists; possibly become private donors to conservation projects

Ø Economic justification for establishing PAs or investing in more effective management

Ø Revenues help to cover costs of conservation




Ø Benefits insufficient, narrowly distributed, and not visibly linked to conservation of the resource base.

Ø Capacity and other prerequisites lacking

Ø Conflicts with wildlife protected as tourist attraction (health risks, crop damage)

Ø Deforestation for infrastructure development or to supply fuel wood to tourists

Ø Pollution due to absent waste or sewage treatment at tourism facilities

Ø Disturbance of wildlife, trampling of sensitive vegetation

Ø Immigration as result of tourism success increases pressure on sensitive ecosystems