Table 5. Positive impacts of tourism

Economy

Benefits obtained by hotels, restaurants... directly from visitors

Benefits obtained by suppliers and support services from the establishments

Revenues obtained by the resident population by way of wages and dividends

Benefits related to tourist activities

Direct jobs at the tourist installations

Indirect jobs in the sector

Increased demand for local assets

Increase in infrastructures

Increase in income and its improved distribution

Environment

Restoration and preservation of historic buildings and sites

Creation of natural areas

Restoration of natural habitats

Society and culture

Preservation of historic buildings and monuments

Creation of museums with cultural interest

Revitalisation of traditional art forms (music, literature, theatre, dance …)

Revitalisation of local traditions (crafts, folklore, gastronomy …)

Revitalisation of minority languages

Cultural exchange between residents and visitors

Source: Compiled by authors based on Hong (1985), Wahab and Pigram (1997), Mowforth and Munt (1998) and Ayuso and Fullana (2002).

The solid link between the hotel sector and the natural, social and cultural environments therefore implies that the sector‘s survival largely depends on its capacity to reduce the negative impacts in these areas to a minimum. In other words, the quality of the interactions between the hotel sector establishments and tourists will decrease if the setting of a tourist activity is worsened or loses its aesthetic qualities as a result of poorly planned tourist development. Therefore, the mitigation of these negative impacts seems to be essential for maintaining the quality of tourist services.

However, not all impacts of tourism are negative. There are several benefits stemming from tourist activity, both on the economic plane, and the sociocultural and environmental planes (Hong, 1985; Wahab and Pigram, 1997; Mowforth and Munt, 1998; Ayuso and Fullana, 2002). The most noteworthy of these positive impacts include (Table 5):

· Economic: Benefits obtained by the installations (hotels, restaurants...) directly from visitors, benefits obtained by suppliers and support services from the establishments, revenues obtained by the resident population by way of wages and dividends, benefits related to tourist activities, direct jobs at the tourist installations, indirect jobs in the sector, increased demand for local assets, increase in infrastructures and an increase in income and its improved distribution.

· Sociocultural: Preservation of historic buildings and monuments, creation of museums with cultural interest, revitalisation of traditional art forms - music, literature, theatre, dance, revitalisation of local traditions - crafts, folklore, gastronomy, revitalisation of minority languages and the cultural exchange between residents and visitors.

· Environmental: Restoration and preservation of historic buildings and sites and the creation of natural areas and restoration of habitats.

KEY CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization the tourism industry faces five major global challenges (WTO, 2005). By describing them, this section illustrates the range of impacts and opportunities that relate to tourism as well as the many reasons why companies should pay attention to its sustainable development.

Managing Dynamic Growth

The increase in international tourist movements predicted for the next years will bring considerable pressures. In order to avoid damaging the resources on which tourism depends, this growth must be well managed. This will require careful planning of the location and types of new development, improved environmental management practices and influencing consumption patterns. In this sense, certain types of location (e.g., marine and coastal environments, historic towns and cities, cultural heritage sites, fragile natural environments …) are particularly vulnerable to pressure.

Climate Change

This phenomenon is a major issue for the long term sustainability of tourism in two senses: climate change will have consequences for tourism and tourism is a contributor to climate change. The effects of climate change (e.g., rising sea levels, increased frequency and energy of surges and storms, beach erosion, coral bleaching…) are threatening many coastal destinations. Mountain resorts will also suffer from rising snow lines and shortening winter sports seasons. Changes in temperature will affect market appeal in most parts of the world. Some of these impacts are already being felt. It is estimated that tourism may contribute up to 5.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with transport accounting for about 90% of the world´s total use of fossil fuels and up.

Poverty Alleviation

 

Halving world poverty by 2015 is the foremost UN Millennium Goal. The potential for the tourism industry to contribute to its reduction is increasingly recognized, partly because it is one of the few sectors in which poor countries´ socio-cultural and natural resources give them an economic advantage. The development of tourism provides a good opportunity to help alleviate poverty because it is often a new source of revenue in rural areas (where 75% of the world´s poor are to be found). The challenge is to find better ways of channeling tourist spending towards poor people.

Support for Conservation

The need for more financial resources to support conservation is a worldwide issue, although this problem varies from country to country. Protected areas in developing countries receive less than 30% of their basic funding needs. Tourism makes a major contribution to income for protected areas and heritage sites through entry fees, permits … and this can be extended. Moreover, this industry can become a force for more sustainable land management by providing an additional alternative form of livelihood for rural communities that are dependent on well maintained natural resources.

Health, Safety and Security

 

Uncertainty about the health and safety of travel of certain destinations has caused significant fluctuations in tourism flows in recent years. Although this may be a short term phenomenon and recovery is often fast, it should be regarded as a global issue for the sustainability of tourism. There are policy implications for image and management of information and for specific measures to improve the safety and security of tourist.