Sep 19, 2024
By: Kapil Yadav
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With the growth of the tourism industry come the risks of negative impacts on the environment, economy and society. Let’s take a look at some concerning impacts of overtourism.
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Overtourism happens when the number of tourists visiting a place exceeds the capacity that it can handle.
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A high influx of tourists often demands expansion or development of existing infrastructure that results in phenomena such as deforestation that cause the habitat destruction of many species specific to that area.
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A sharp rise in tourism can overwhelm natural resources like water, land and energy. This strain often results in a negative impact on the climate as it can alter the landscape of that area.
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Over-reliance on tourism can lead to economic vulnerability and environmental degradation. Local businesses may struggle to diversify, making them prone to market fluctuations.
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Local cultures are commodified to meet the convenience and demands of tourists, which causes the loss of authenticity of the cultures.
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This includes the development of infrastructure that caters specifically to the needs of tourists. A common example is the development of global hotel chains. This can cause a loss of the unique cultural identity of a place.
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A significant influx of tourism can drive up real estate prices and the cost of living, forcing locals to leave their long-term residences for more affordable neighbourhoods.
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Places experiencing overtourism are often faced with increased pollution, waste generation and population, all of which cause a sharp spike in the carbon footprint of that specific region. This can lead to drastic changes in climate.
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A rise in tourism often results in conflicts between humans and wildlife, which causes serious issues such as the displacement of animals to a different place.
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