Is Tourism Just Too Much? – The Cons of a Developing Industry

Tourism is growing like crazy and this is a new fact. But is this perhaps too much? Let’s see how it has affected the planet and if it should be reduced.

1. Air pollution and more plastic
   Flying has become super easy, and traveling from place to place requires a considerable amount of fuel. Besides, transportation nowadays can be done in luxurious ways. One does not have to travel by plane; one can take a private jet.

   If you think this is an exaggeration, think about other examples, like those who prefer to take a car than travel by public transportation and use buses. Apart from the increased carbon footprint on the road, you must consume accordingly. You use the shampoos that are in the hotels, which have a very small package or you have a launch on the box which means you will have a plastic fork for one single use.

   The amount of trash that is produced is huge and this is because yet we have not come up with an alternative that will change the landscape of travel. If there were water taps in tourist hot spots, people would probably avoid buying plastic water bottles. Barcelona in Spain has set an example of that, providing stylish faucets in many places downtown.

   

   Recycling is essential, but avoiding the consumption of plastic is better. Rich people are less likely to produce trash because they can afford to dine in restaurants every night instead of buying stuff that comes in a package. Also, some people who are very conscious of pollution will be careful with their trash. Other than that, tourism, like many other activities, is not sustainable.

2. How about the economy?
   While the tourist sector is a real money producer, there are many details one has to think of. One of the central questions is who gets the most significant share of the pie. Economists claim that, in most cases, it is foreigners who invest in poor countries and take advantage of their natural resources.

   Unfortunately, the initiative of governments is often poor and discourages local businessmen from making a profit it. It is those who have the big bucks that can make the most profit, and most of the time, it is people from developed countries. So not only is it foreigners that do the jobs, but even when we talk about locals, it will probably be the rich people.

   At least, the job opportunities that arise from that will give jobs to many people, but at the same time, the jobs are only seasonal for only as long as the tourist section lasts.

   As if that was not enough, jobs are basically oriented in the service sector, meaning opportunities for scientists, teachers, and people with a lot to offer in a community are fewer. Therefore, we would dare to say that even though the economy is generally growing, that does not necessarily mean it is going in the right direction.

3. Bad news for non-tourist districts and other sectors of the economy
   It is a common phenomenon that touristic countries will focus on the reconstruction of the center of the big cities and neglect other areas of the country.

   It is like creating two different zones. The one that is fancy and pretty for wealthy foreigners and the other that covers the truth behind the glamour. Many tourists visit neighborhoods with bad reputations to see what is underneath. Still, they will never be able to dive deep into the truth since things can become dangerous once you decide to go down that road. The interesting part of this new trend is that awareness is raised, and people get closer to reality.

   

   In addition, it is not only the places that are unequally preserved; it is also the sectors of the economy that every society has to take care of. Money from this industry is distributed in a way that does not often lead to a healthy economy. Other sectors are sacrificed so that tourism will glow. Businesses that could generate profit are being neglected, and tourism is a reason for that.

Have you read it?
The world’s top 20 most travel-obsessed countries, 2023.
The most Twitter-obsessed countries revealed, 2023.
The world’s top 10 most popular luxury brands for 2023.
The most fast food-obsessed countries in the world, 2023.
Who Are the Richest Sports Owners in the World, 2023?