7. What are the impacts of tourism?

Economic impacts

Advantages
o Employment opportunities The growth of tourism led to increase in the number
of tourism-related jobs e.g. workers in hotels, transport vehicles, souvenir shops
and tour agencies. There are also jobs indirectly linked to the tourist industry when
tourists travel and consume goods e.g. taxi drivers and shop owners

o Growth in income for individuals and for a country. Fishermen on Pamilacan Island
in the Philippines are paid to bring tourists on their boats to look for and swim with
whale sharks and dolphins. The tour companies which hire the fishermen will
experience an increase in revenue. There will also be an increase in revenue for the
country through taxes collected from the fishermen and tour companies.

o Increase in foreign exchange from the spending of international travelers on goods
and services in the country. The foreign exchange allows the receiving country to
purchase goods and services from elsewhere in the world. Countries which host
large numbers of tourists also receive tourism business investments from other
countries. For example, Singapore plays host to many international hotel chains
such as the InterContinental, Marriot and Shangri-la which invest in building and
furnishing hotels and resorts as well as training staff at tourist destinations. These
hotels had to exchange their own currency to purchase Singapore dollars in order to
make their investments. This increases the demand for Singapore dollars and
contributes to Singapores capital inflow.

o Increase in government revenues. Directly from taxes on touristse.g. airport tax
and from income taxes on employees of tourism-related businesses. Indirectly from
taxes placed on goods and services which are supplied to tourists e.g.
manufactured goods such as petrol used in rented cars.

o Development of infrastructure such as transport and communication networks,
electrical frameworks and systems for water and waste disposal as well as facilities
such as airports, roads, electricity and hotels help to develop tourism. Roads that
link airports, cities and tourist sites allow tourists access to local attractions. They
also allow local people better access to more markets, health care, education and
jobs. Thus, infrastructure built to enhance tourism also benefits the locals. E.g
Underground rail systems expanded to cater to increased numbers of visitors during
the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 and in Beijing 2008. Both rail systems continue
to serve local populations and tourist even after the Games. It also creates
employment for local such as workers in the construction process as well as help
to boast local industries which provided materials in the construction. The
increased spending in the local economy encourages economic growth.


Disadvantages

o Leakage of tourism receipts to other countries, especially in LDCs.The revenue
earned from tourism is paid to other countries for the import of goods and
services needed to meet the needs of tourists. This includes payment to
international airline tickets, imported food, foreign-owned hotels or prepaid tours
booked internationally.

o Seasonal unemployment Some countries experiences seasonal unemployment
e.g. some tourist activities which depend on climatic conditions. Ski resorts in the
Alps experience a drop of tourists during summer as skiing is carried out in winter.
As a result, the people have to find other sources of income when employment in
the tourism industry is temporarily unavailable. Increase in summer visits in
European Union is due to the warm weather which allows swimming on the beach
or hiking.


o Underuse of facilities e.g. facilities built specifically for certain events may be
underused when the event is over. The facilities can be costly to maintain and may
become neglected when there are few tourists. E.g. venues built for 2008 summer
Olympic Games in Beijing China had to be renovated to become more profitable e.g.
Beijing National Aquatics Centre renovated into a water park.


o Shortage of services eg. Water supplies or power is required by tourist
infrastructure and could lead to a shortage of service in non-tourist areas.


Socio-cultural impacts

Advantages
o Preservation of culture and local customs. Historical and cultural sites are
preserved and restored to make the place more attractive to tourists. This benefits
the local population by enhancing their sense of history and by building a sense of
belong to their community. Revenues generated from tourism can also fund the
preservation and restoration of cultural heritage. Entry fees to the Great Pyramids of
Giza in Egypt or the Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia can be used
directly to help fund conservation efforts.

Disadvantages
o Dilution of local customs and heritage- Commercial activities that cater mainly to
tourists such as food outlets, travel agencies, souvenir shops and hotels, can become
the major commercial activities of an area. This can force the locals to relocate their
original activities to other places. As a result, the identity of a place may be lost. To
meet the demands and expectations of tourists, local cultural festivals and
religious rituals are sometimes modified. For example rituals may be shortened to
fit into the itinerary of the tourists. So the authenticity and significance of these
cultural events may be reduced when they become commercialized.

o Increased crime high crime levels may occur at popular tourist sites. Some tourists
carry valuable goods as watches, cameras and clothes and may be vulnerable
to muggings. In addition, tourists are prone to being cheated or scammed in tourist
areas where goods or services are sold at greatly inflated prices.


Environmental impacts

Advantages

o Conservation revenue from entrance fees to national parks and diving sites, or even levies on
nearby accommodations can be used to fund conservation of coral reefs, rainforests and
mountainous areas. For example the Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, Malaysia
help to rehabilitate orang-utans that have been orphaned or injured by using the visitor entry fees to
partly pay its staff. In Kenya, the money raised from wildlife tourism becomes a way to continue to
preserve the animals and their habitats.


Disadvantages

o Increased congestion - large number of tourists can causeovercrowding in areas close to popular
attractions. Tourist shops and accommodations cluster nearby making it even more congested. This
results in vehicular and pedestrian traffic to become congested. The huge inflow of cars and buses
can contribute to air pollution.


o Vandalism cultural, historical or natural sites may be vandalized by individuals or developers, e.g
the stones and bricks of the Great Wall of China are covered with graffiti.

o Pollution and littering the waste left behind by tourists can lead to environmental degradation e.g.
Harbours, marinas and oceans are polluted by tourists throwing plastic bottles, food packaging and
old batteries overboard from cruise ships.

o Destruction of habitat when too many tourists visit a destination, they may destroy habitats and
wildlife. Careless tourists may trample on plants while others may collect eggs and features of birds
as souvenirs. Tourists may also make too much noise which can disturb and frighten off animals. E.g.
the habitat of coral reefs and exotic fish at the Egypts Red Sea coast are damaged by tourists
collecting shells or corals as souvenirs as well as the dumping of waste and sewage into the sea by
hotels and restaurants nearby.

o Increased carbon footprint greenhouse gas emissions by activities that involve the use of fossil
fuels such as when tourists travel by planes, tour buses and electricity consumption by hotels.
















How do food consumption patterns vary between DCs and LDCs over time?

When a country develops economically and its income per capita increases, the diet generally
changes from crop-based products to meat-based products.

People in the USA consume higher amount of meat, eggs and fish.

Large increase in the consumption of meat, eggs and fish in China due to increase in wealth.



Cereal consumption in China and India is higher than the USA as rice is a staple food in Asian
societies.

Cereals contribute to 50% of the global calorie intake.

In Africa and parts of Asia, cereals make up as much as 70% of the peoples calorie intake..

Lower consumption of cereals in DCs around 30% of calorie intake.

Consumption of cereals per capita decline with higher income.

Crop-based product is 40% of peoples diet in the LDCs but only 13% in DCs

As income increases, rice is substituted with wheat to make bread and noodles e.g. in Brazil,
China and South Korea.



Increase in income is linked with an increase in meat consumption.

In LDCs, the demand for livestock (cows, pigs, sheep or chickens) has increased since 1960s.

High consumption of meat in DCs compared to LDCs but the rate of increase is smaller. People in
the DCs are consuming less red meat as this has been linked to health problems such as obesity and
heart diseases.

Larger increase in consumption of non-staple food from the LDCs due to rising incomes.



Consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased for both DCs and LDCs.

Mainly due to increase in incomes in the LDCs.

Efforts of international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the UN to promote its consumption. It is believed that a significant
amount of fruits and vegetables in a diet reduces the risk of diseases such as heart disease, cancer
and diabetes.



4. Why do food consumption patterns vary between DCs and LDCs?

Economic factors affecting food consumption

v Disposable income

v Food pricing


Disposable income is the income left to an individual after taxes have been paid.
Disposable income is increasing for DCs and LDCs.
Disposable income is higher in DCs.
People have higher purchasing power with higher disposable income.
People consume more meat and less cereals when income increases.
Higher consumption of more organic food and olive oil in DCs as they can afford
food with more health benefits.
People in LDCs are more affected by food prices than the people in DCs as their
disposable income is lesser.
Food crisis between 2006 and 2008 cause 100 million more people worldwide into
chronic hunger and poverty. Many people in the LDCs cannot afford the staple food
due to the sharp increase in food prices.



Socio-cultural factors affecting food consumption

v Religious beliefs

v Food preferences

v Migration

v Population growth

v Changing diets



Religious beliefs can influence a persons choice of food as well as how food is
prepared.
Muslims can only consume food that is halal.


Fast food has been well received by people due to convenience and affordable
prices.
Globalisation made it possible for fast food chains to set up restaurants in many
LDCs such as India.
Many people choose to patronize these outlets rather than local food stalls due
to hectic schedules and rising incomes.

People are now trying to move away from eating too much fast food as they become increasingly
aware of their harmful effects on human health.

Food preferences in DCs are influenced by health concerns such as the use of pesticides.


More people in the DCs choose organic food due to the perceived health benefits
associated with them.



Migrants introduce new food to places and drive the demand for new food
preference.
Migrants may adopt the food of the locals as they are exposed to local cuisine.
Migrants introduce new cuisines to people in their new countrye.g. curry
restaurants in UK


Increasing demand for food due to increased world population
Population growth rates are higher in the LDCs than DCs therefore increasing
demand for food is greater in LDCs



The diets of people in DCs and LDCs will continue to change especially in terms of
meat and dairy products.
Due to globalization and migration, diets in DCs will increase in variety.
Traditional rice eating societies are consuming increasing amounts of wheat as
ingredient in bread, cakes and pastry.


Political factors affecting food consumption

A country has a stable food supply when safe and nutritious food is available to all people at all
times.


Government may take actions to increase food supply or food imports to ensure
the availability of safe and nutritious food to the people.
Food production can be increased by improving technology to increase yields
and opening up new areas for agriculture.
LDCs lack access to technology or finances to implement it on a large scale.
DCs have greater access to technology for food production to ensure food stability.


Civil war can affect food stability. In Libya in April 2011, where cities and areas with
heavy fighting reported food and water shortages and safety concerns restricted
people from venturing out to buy food.


The government ensure food safety by setting food safety standards and ensuring the standards
are met.

They are also responsible for tracking down contaminated foods that cause outbreaks of
foodborne diseases and remove these foods from the shelves.

Seafood imports from Japan to Singapore were restricted for many months after the nuclear
contamination due to the earthquake in Japan 2011.

Threats to food safety may come from outbreaks of foodborne diseases e.g. Mad Cow Disease
outbreak in Europe in the late 1990s and in USA and Canada in 2005.

The outbreak has led to a decrease in the consumption of beef because humans could contract the
disease by eating meat from an infected cow.

The decrease in demand for beef led to a decline in the import of beef.

Decline in beef consumption in the European Union after outbreaks in 1988, 1996 and 2000.




5. What are the impacts of inadequate food consumption on individuals and countries?

v Impact on health

v Economic impact

v Political impact

v Social impact



Impact on Health due to inadequate food consumption


Malnutrition the body does not get a balanced amount of nutrients to maintain healthy tissues
and organ function.

Inadequate nutrients will cause higher mortality rate and risk of adult chronic disease.


Ill-health

Lack of Vitamin A found in eggs, cheese, meat, carrot etc can lead to visual impairment and
blindness. Children affected will miss attending normal school. With lower educational
opportunities, children will have lower earning power in the future.

Lack of Vitamin A also reduces the bodys ability to fight off common childhood infection such as
diarrhoeal diseases and measles.

Lack of Calcium found in milk, cheese, green leafy vegetables and soya bean can lead to
osteoporosis which is the weakening of the bones.

People with osteoporosis are more prone to fractures and this will cause loss of work days and
productivity.

Vitamin D obtained by sufficient exposure to sun help the body to absorb calcium



Starvation is the state of extreme hunger from a severe lack of food.

The body becomes skeletally thin and the organs become permanently damaged and may lead to
death.



Economic Impact of inadequate food consumption

Inadequate nutrients consumed lead to low energy level and more sickness which will lead to
lower productivity and lower income due to inability to work as productively as before.

Economy of the country adversely affected when there is low productivity. This lead to higher
public health expenditure.


Food aid and economic aid can cause long term debts
Financial resources are diverted to health care because more people are falling sick.


Political Impact of inadequate food consumption (social unrest)


Inadequate food supply leads to inadequate food consumption. People become
malnourished, starve or even die.
Such conditions can cause social unrest. In 2010, people in Mozambique protested against
high wheat prices.

Social Impact of inadequate food consumption (survival responses e.g. scavenging)


Some people turn to scavenging to prevent starvation
Scavenging carries health risks because scavenged food contain high levels of bacteria or
chemicals
Scavenging also place people in dangerous or illegal situations in search of food and they are
perceived as a nuisance to the public.
e.g. child scavengers of Smokey Mountain in Manila

6. Impact of excess food consumption on individuals and countries:

Health Impact due to excess foos consumption


Obesity is the condition of being overweight due to excessive consumption of
nutrients which is stored as body fats.
Obesity can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease,
diabetes and certain cancers.


Economic Impact of excess food consumption (lower productivity)

When people fall sick, there will be lower productivity as there will be loss of work days.

It can also cause lower income due to inability to work as productively as before.

Money is redirected to public health expenditure reducing funds for developing the economy.


Social issues of excess food consumption ( food wastage and dieting)

Food wastage every year, consumers in DCs waste almost as much food as the entire amount of
food available in Sub-Saharan Africa for local consumption.

Dieting is the practice of regulating the amount of food consumed to maintain an ideal weight.

Physical exercise is often practiced in combination with diet.

Dieting provides employment and value to an economy e.g. weight loss industry including diet
books, medication and medical procedures for losing weight.

However inappropriate dieting may lead to depression and dieting-related physical illness such
as iron-deficiency anaemia.