It is true that the growth of the international travel industry has brought many
benefits to both travelers and the host nations which receive them. While
there are serious negative consequences of this development, I would argue
that these are outweighed by the advantages.
On the one hand, there are some aspects of international travel. Principally
the tourist trade, which raises cause for concern. In terms of the tourists
themselves, they often arrive at an overseas destination only to find that the
prices of everything are grossly inflated. They may be overcharged for
everything from a taxi, a meal in a restaurant or buying a souvenir. In terms
of the host country, the problems of waste disposal, pollution and unregulated
construction of hotels and tourist attractions often result in permanent
damage to the environment. Many beach resorts in Thailand and Malaysia,
for example, have become “concrete jungles” of high-rise hotels and
apartments to accommodate mass tourism from Europe.
On the other hand, despite such grave issues, these are not insurmountable
and must be considered against the advantages of the growing international
travel industry. Firstly, there is ever-greater competition among tour
operators to provide value for money holidays, so that holiday-makers can
enjoy their experience of a foreign country and culture to the full. Secondly,
the influx of foreign tourists brings money to the host country through the
provision of jobs and services for the developing hotel and construction
industries. Employees in these sectors generally benefit from higher wages
and improved living standards.
In conclusion, I believe that the advantages of international travel for both
travelers and host countries are greater than the drawbacks, serious though
these are.
It is true that the growth of the international travel industry has brought
many
benefits to both travelers and the
host
nations which receive them. While
there are serious
negative
consequences of this development, I would argue
that these
are outweighed
by the advantages.
On the one hand, there are
some
aspects of international travel.
Principally
the tourist trade, which raises cause for concern. In terms of the tourists
themselves, they
often
arrive at an overseas destination
only
to find that the
prices of everything are
grossly
inflated. They may
be overcharged
for
everything from a taxi, a meal in a restaurant or buying a souvenir. In terms
of the
host
country
, the problems of waste disposal, pollution and unregulated
construction of hotels and tourist attractions
often
result in permanent
damage to the environment.
Many
beach resorts in Thailand and Malaysia,
for example
, have become “concrete jungles” of high-rise hotels and
apartments to accommodate mass tourism from Europe.
On the other hand
, despite such grave issues, these are not insurmountable
and
must
be considered
against the advantages of the growing international
travel industry.
Firstly
, there is ever-greater competition among tour
operators to provide value for money holidays,
so
that holiday-makers can
enjoy their experience of a foreign
country
and culture to the full.
Secondly
,
the influx of foreign tourists brings money to the
host
country
through the
provision of jobs and services for the developing hotel and construction
industries. Employees in these sectors
generally
benefit from higher wages
and
improved
living standards.
In conclusion
, I believe that the advantages of international travel for both
travelers and
host
countries
are greater than the drawbacks, serious though
these are.