Module title: Tourism Environment and Industry

Student ID
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
First core section..............................................................................................................................4
Second core section.........................................................................................................................5
Third core section............................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9
Introduction
Overtourism is a challenge due to increased tourist numbers. Tourists have caused challenges in
social, economic, and environmental areas, which has affected popular tourist destinations
(Séraphin, Gladkikh and Vo Thanh, 2020). Excessive tourism requires sustainable tourism for
sector advancement. This essay explores the financial impact of excessive tourism and highlights
the importance of sustainable tourism practises in reducing these costs. Overtourism negatively
impacts business, the environment, and society. Identifying sustainable solutions that consider
both positive and negative impacts of tourism is important. Overtourism is when a destination is
overwhelmed by tourists, causing negative effects on the environment, local communities, and
visitor experiences (Séraphin, Gladkikh and Vo Thanh, 2020). Overtourism occurs when too
many tourists visit a destination, causing negative effects on the destination and its residents.
High population density, pollution, loss of cultural history, and high demand for local resources
are all signs of this phenomenon. These things happen because of bad tourism management and
too many tourists. Because the tourism industry is growing so quickly and could have a lot of
effects, it is important to look at the effects of too much tourism. Globalisation, better transport,
and a growing middle class have all led to a big rise in the number of tourists (Duignan, 2019).
Overtourism happens because beautiful places, famous sites, and unique culture experiences are
popular and bring a lot of tourists to areas with a lot of people. There are many reasons why it's
important to deal with the problem of too many tourists. Overtourism can erode cultural identity,
lead to gentrification, and strain community cohesion. Economic consequences may include
seasonal and precarious employment, economic leakage, and increased living expenses for
locals. Overtourism harms delicate ecosystems, exacerbates climate change, depletes resources,
and degrades natural places. Overtourism can degrade tourist sites if not managed effectively.
This could harm tourism in the future. The COVID-19 epidemic shows the consequences of
unregulated tourism. Travel restrictions and lockdowns have reduced overtourism in many
places. This situation allows us to reconsider the future of tourism. To revive the industry after
the pandemic, prioritize sustainable tourism practices that benefit the environment, local
populations, and visitor satisfaction.

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First core section
Overtourism has both positive and negative effects on tourist sites, impacting their overall well-
being. By integrating research findings, statistical analysis, and illustrative instances, This paper
can classify these effects into three dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, and environmental. It's
important to consider the impact on the destinations' welfare. This paper will use Butler's tourism
lifecycle (1980) to analyse overtourism (Butler, 1980).

Overtourism can boost economic growth and employment. Overtourism can boost economic
growth by creating jobs in various sectors like hospitality, transportation, and retail. Visitors'
arrival increases consumer spending, generating revenue and promoting economic growth.
Destinations improve infrastructure like airports, hotels, and transportation to accommodate
more tourists. This can improve tourism and boost the economy. Overtourism creates seasonal
work, leaving locals unemployed during off-peak seasons. Instability can harm the financial
situation and well-being of people in the destination. Overtourism can prevent economic benefits
from circulating fully within a destination. Earnings can be diverted to foreign-owned
enterprises, limiting positive effects on the local economy (Kozak, 2015b).

Tourism facilitates cultural exchange, allowing locals and tourists to learn from each other. This
promotes understanding and appreciation for diverse cultural traditions and practises. Tourism
can help preserve and revive cultural practises and history when indigenous communities
recognise the economic value of their traditions. Overtourism can erode local identity as
communities adapt to meet the demands of mass tourism. This can undermine cultural
distinctiveness and promote homogenization of experiences. Excessive population density and
gentrification can disrupt social cohesion, leading to conflicts between visitors and locals.
Tourism can cause discomfort, overcrowding, and a lower quality of life for residents (Nogués-
Pedregal, 2012).

Overtourism can fund environmental conservation initiatives. Destinations must protect their
natural resources to attract tourists sustainably. Tourism can promote understanding of protecting
natural environments and encourage responsible tourism. Overtourism can lead to environmental
degradation. Visitor numbers increasing can harm the environment through pollution, habitat
destruction, and harm to ecosystems. Landmarks and locations could be damaged, making them

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less attractive. Overtourism strains local resources, leading to excessive consumption and
depletion of water, energy, and waste management systems (Leonidou and Leonidou, 2011).

Overtourism significantly affects tourist locations' welfare. Overtourism can undermine

attractions that draw travellers, despite initial economic gains and cultural interaction.
Overcrowding, cultural erosion, and environmental degradation can lower the quality of life for
locals and make the destination less appealing.

Using Butler's tourism lifecycle theory, venues experiencing overtourism may enter the
"Stagnation and Decline" phase. As tourist locations attract more visitors and face negative
consequences, there is a risk of losing their appeal and competitiveness in the long term.
Implementing sustainable tourism practises is crucial to mitigate the negative effects of
overtourism, promote harmony, and conserve destination resources (Butler, 1980).

Venice, Italy is facing problems due to increased tourism, including congestion, damage to
historical sites, and displacement of local residents. Venice's population has decreased due to its
reliance on tourism. Furthermore, Venice produces 3,000 tons of waste per day due to
overtourism (Trancoso González, 2018). Again, Maya Bay in Thailand was once a famous beach
resort. Excessive tourism caused harm to the environment, so the area had to be temporarily
closed for restoration (Butcher, 2020).

Second core section

Sustainable tourism considers the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental aspects of travel
to harmonise the interests of tourists, local populations, and the natural surroundings. Efficient
sustainable tourism practises have positive consequences for tourist destinations. Sustainable
tourism minimises negative impacts and maximises positive contributions while ensuring long-
term viability. Sustainable tourism prioritises preserving a destination's natural, cultural, and
social assets over the long term. The goal is to balance the positive and negative impacts of
tourism on communities, ensuring sustainable growth and preserving the destination's integrity
(Kozak, 2015b).

Sustainable tourism focuses on fairly distributing economic gains among local stakeholders. The
goal is to create sustainable jobs for locals and reduce dependence on seasonal tourism.
Economic sustainability involves managing economic leakage by promoting local ownership and

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reinvesting tourism profits in the destination. Sustainable tourism focuses on conserving and
promoting a destination's cultural heritage. The goal is to provide authentic cultural experiences
for tourists while respecting indigenous customs and traditions. This dimension values
community participation and empowerment, involving local communities in tourist planning and
decision-making. Sustainable tourism aims to minimise harm to the environment and promote
conservation efforts. This includes sustainable resource management, waste minimization, and
biodiversity conservation. The main goal is to conserve natural resources to maintain the
destination's beauty and support ecosystem sustainability and biodiversity (Nogués-Pedregal,
2012).

Sustainable tourism practises have significant implications for the wellbeing of tourist locations.
The economy helps create stability and inclusivity, reducing income inequality and improving
quality of life in communities. Sustainable tourism promotes pride in cultural heritage,
community cohesion, and local ownership, improving social well-being. The environmental
factor prioritises protecting and maintaining natural habitats, benefiting local populations and
conservation-minded travellers (Duignan, 2019).

Costa Rica is a notable example of sustainable tourism. By prioritising environmental protection

and promoting eco-tourism, the nation has successfully preserved its biodiversity and natural
landscapes while also boosting tourism revenue.

Again, Bhutan promotes high-value, low-impact tourism with a mandatory daily fee for tourists.
The method has helped conserve Bhutan's cultural heritage, landscapes, and promote sustainable
economic growth in local communities. Many places and businesses have implemented green
tourism certification programmes to promote sustainable practises. These programmes support
sustainable tourism's positive effects on resource management, waste reduction, and community
involvement (Ooi, 2021).

Third core section

Stakeholders play a crucial role in promoting responsible and environmentally conscious
tourism. Active participation and collaboration are crucial for implementing sustainable practises
and promoting positive outcomes in tourist destinations. Three primary stakeholders are involved
in sustainable tourism. Governments develop and implement policies for sustainable tourism.

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They play a vital role in land use planning, environmental conservation, and supporting activities
that benefit local communities and preserve cultural heritage. Local communities play a crucial
role in sustainable tourism. Individual involvement is crucial in decision-making for tourist
development to align with their needs and values. Local residents can benefit economically and
maintain their cultural identity by participating in tourism development. The tourism industry
includes hotels, tour operators, and transportation providers that are important for sustainable
practises. To mitigate the adverse effects of tourism, it is crucial to adopt sustainable practises,
support local suppliers, and encourage responsible behaviour among tourists (Oke et al., 2021).

Sustainable tourism has advantages, but it also has expenses. Tourist destinations may face
financial setbacks while adopting sustainable practises. Restricting visitors or changing tourism
approaches could harm income in places reliant on mass tourism. Implementing sustainable
tourism concepts can be costly. Financial resources are needed for eco-friendly infrastructure,
waste management systems, and sustainability certifications. Training staff and educating visitors
about responsible tourism practises takes a lot of time and effort (Higgins-Desbiolles, 2022).

Sustainable tourism can overcome challenges and transform over time. The popularity of
sustainable practises is expected to increase demand for responsible tourism, appealing to
conscious travellers. This transition can attract more customers willing to pay higher prices for
sustainable experiences, helping to offset revenue declines. Sustainable technology and practises
may become more cost-effective with advancements in the field. Advancements in innovation
and market demand could make renewable energy, waste reduction technology, and eco-friendly
transportation more accessible and affordable (Šverko Grdić, Gregorić and Krstinić Nižić, 2019).

Sustainable tourism is expected to grow as more locations, businesses, and travellers recognise
the importance of responsible travel. Collaboration between governments, communities, and the
corporate sector can promote the effective implementation of sustainable policies and practises,
leading to widespread adoption. Some destinations prioritise sustainable tourism to manage
tourist volumes and minimise environmental and socio-cultural impacts. This method can
balance economic expansion and environmental preservation. Technology in tourism can
promote sustainability. Digital solutions like virtual reality and eco-friendly transportation can
reduce the need for physical travel while providing captivating experiences (Kozak, 2015a).

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Conclusion
Overtourism causes social, economic, and environmental problems in tourist locations.
Overtourism can harm cultural assets, burden locals, and damage ecosystems, leading to less
attractive and competitive tourist destinations (Séraphin, Gladkikh and Vo Thanh, 2020).
Sustainable tourism is a potential strategy to address negative impacts of overtourism and ensure
a successful future for the tourism sector. Overtourism harms local culture, communities, and
traditions, leading to commercialization, loss of identity, and forced relocation. Preserving
cultural heritage and promoting community interaction are important for sustainable tourism, as
they maintain authenticity and a sense of place. Overtourism harms the environment through
pollution, habitat degradation, and resource depletion. Sustainable tourism focuses on preserving
natural resources, promoting eco-friendly methods, and encouraging responsible behaviour
among visitors. These measures are crucial for protecting the integrity of natural attractions that
are popular tourist destinations. Overtourism often causes economic leakage, where tourism
profits do not benefit locals or stay within the region. Sustainable tourism promotes inclusive
economic growth, benefiting local companies and communities. Addressing overtourism and
adopting sustainable tourism practises is crucial (Seraphin and Ivanov, 2020). The growing
tourism industry and global interconnectedness pose a significant threat to destinations' long-
term well-being. Without intervention, cultural heritage, biodiversity, and community ties could
be harmed. The COVID-19 epidemic has shown the vulnerability of the tourism sector. Travel
restrictions and fewer tourists have positively impacted the environment and local communities
at various sites. The global health crisis made us rethink the future of tourism, focusing on
sustainability and fairness. Considering current difficulties allows for proactive strategies to
address overtourism and promote sustainable tourism. Responsible tourism regulations require
collaboration between governments, communities, and the commercial sector. Travellers must
make ethical decisions when planning their trips. Sustainable tourism preserves the allure of
tourist places for long-term success. Overtourism poses risks to tourist locations, affecting
cultural authenticity, ecological balance, and local economies. Implementing sustainable tourism
practises is crucial to address negative impacts and achieve a balance between economic
development, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. By addressing these concerns

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now, all can lay the groundwork for a future where tourism benefits both tourists and locals,
while preserving the appeal of natural and cultural attractions.

References
Butcher, J. (2020) ‘The Construction of “Overtourism”: The case of UK media coverage of
Barcelona’s 2017 tourism protests and their aftermath’, Overtourism: Causes,
implications and solutions, pp. 69–88.

Butler, R.W. (1980) ‘The concept of a tourist area cycle of evolution: Implications for
management of resources’, Canadian Geographer/Le Géographe canadien, 24(1),
pp. 5–12.

Duignan, M. (2019) ‘“Overtourism”? Understanding and managing urban tourism growth

beyond perceptions: Cambridge case study: Strategies and tactics to tackle
overtourism’, in ‘Overtourism’? Understanding and managing urban tourism
growth beyond perceptions: Case studies. United Nations World Tourism
Organisation (UNWTO), pp. 34–39.

Higgins-Desbiolles, F. (2022) ‘Peace journeys: A new direction in religious tourism and

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Kozak, M. (2015a) Tourism development. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Kozak, M. (2015b) Tourism Economics: A practical perspective. Cambridge Scholars

Publishing.

Leonidou, C.N. and Leonidou, L.C. (2011) ‘Research into environmental

marketing/management: a bibliographic analysis’, European Journal of
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Nogués-Pedregal, A.-M. (2012) Culture and society in tourism contexts. Emerald Group
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Oke, A.E. et al. (2021) Sustainable construction in the era of the fourth industrial revolution.
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Séraphin, H., Gladkikh, T. and Vo Thanh, T. (2020) Overtourism. Springer.

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Seraphin, H. and Ivanov, S. (2020) ‘Overtourism: A revenue management perspective’, Journal
of Revenue and Pricing Management, 19, pp. 146–150.

Šverko Grdić, Z., Gregorić, M. and Krstinić Nižić, M. (2019) ‘Investigating the Influence of
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Trancoso González, A. (2018) ‘Venice: the problem of overtourism and the impact of cruises’,
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