Annals of the University of Oradea: Economic Science (Jul 2012)
THE IMPACTS OF TOURISM ON SOCIETY
Abstract
Tourism is one of the most important components of the global economy. It generates billions of dollars in revenues and millions of jobs worldwide. It is considered by many communities, especially in emerging countries the only tool for development, and the only chance for increasing the quality of life. Thus the tourism industry has stretched from seaside to mountain resorts and from small villages to big metropolises. But at the same time, tourism started to show its uglier side. Both the actions of investors and of tourists are having negative impacts on the socio-cultural values and environmental assets of host communities all over the world. In the present paper we are trying to observe the impacts of tourism on society from three perspectives: economic, social and cultural, and environmental. From the economic perspective, tourism generates wealth and jobs, but the wealth leaks from the community and the jobs are mainly lowincome. From the socio-cultural perspective, tourism brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures and traditions and promotes peace. But at the same time, due to globalization, many communities have lost their cultural identity and gave way to a Disneyfication of their village or town. Last but not least, tourism helped create national parks and protected areas, where unique examples of flora and fauna can be found. But tourists have been proven to be a problem, because of the pollution they generate. Tourist entrepreneurs can also be blamed for a total disrespect to local traditions and the environment. The main problem from these negative impacts is that the local community is the only side that picks up the check for all the damages on the culture, tradition and, most importantly on the environment.
