The past 50 years have seen a considerable increase in global tourism. Despite the undeniable economic prosperity it has brought to many host countries, I would argue that the overall impact of international holiday making has in fact been negative. Two of the primary drawbacks associated with this trend are as follows.
First of all, global tourism tends to export many negative aspects of western culture. Since it is only the wealthy who can afford to travel abroad, developing countries like Thailand and Indonesia have become the playgrounds of tourists from more affluent ones. In many such nations, this influx of mainly western tourists has brought with it problems such as prostitution as well as alcoholism and drug abuse. Admittedly, international tourism does have the potential to foster greater understanding and tolerance between people of different cultures. However, this is unlikely to occur while it remains such a potent symbol of western cultural domination and moral decadence.
Even more disturbing, though, is the environmental degradation that international tourism has caused in many parts of the world. One particularly salient example of this is Great Barrier Reef in Australia – the countless boats, divers and snorkellers that have visited the reef over the past few decades have gradually destroyed vast sections of coral. Similarly, world renowned Kuta Beach in Bali has become heavily polluted in recent years. In order to be sustainable, greater regulation of global tourism is required.
In conclusion, the challenges presented by the booming international tourist industry are numerous and complex. Although they are by no means insurmountable, it is highly unlikely that they will be resolved in the foreseeable future.
The past 50 years have
seen
a considerable increase in global
tourism
. Despite the undeniable economic prosperity it has brought to
many
host countries, I would argue that the
overall
impact of
international
holiday making has in fact been
negative
. Two of the primary drawbacks associated with this trend are as follows.
First of all
, global
tourism
tends to export
many
negative
aspects of western culture. Since it is
only
the wealthy who can afford to travel abroad,
developing countries
like Thailand and Indonesia have become the playgrounds of tourists from more affluent ones. In
many
such nations, this influx of
mainly
western tourists has brought with it problems such as prostitution
as well
as alcoholism and drug abuse.
Admittedly
,
international
tourism
does have the potential to foster greater understanding and tolerance between
people
of
different
cultures.
However
, this is unlikely to occur while it remains such a potent symbol of western cultural domination and moral decadence.
Even more disturbing, though, is the environmental degradation that
international
tourism
has caused in
many
parts of the world. One
particularly
salient example of this is Great Barrier Reef in Australia
–
the countless boats, divers and
snorkellers
that have visited the reef over the past few decades have
gradually
destroyed
vast sections of coral.
Similarly
, world renowned
Kuta
Beach in Bali has become
heavily
polluted in recent years. In order to be sustainable, greater regulation of global
tourism
is required
.
In conclusion
, the challenges presented by the booming
international
tourist industry are numerous and complex. Although they are by no means insurmountable, it is
highly
unlikely that they will
be resolved
in the foreseeable future.