Essay Brochure
STI College
Impact of Tourism on the Environment
TOURism: The Journey to Exposing Its Negative Impact on the
Environment
Tourism is not always rainbows and butterflies. Although it produces jobs, boosts
the regional economy, and generates revenue for the local government, uncontrolled
conventional tourism threatens numerous natural regions worldwide. Hence, as stated by
Jim Sano of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the greatest challenge for tourism is its influence
on greenhouse gas emissions. It induces increased pollution and natural habitat loss which
causes greater pressure on endangered species.
Based on an article published by Global Development Research Center, tourism
may contribute to pollution in the form of air emissions, noise, solid waste and littering,
sewage, oil, and chemical discharges, and even architectural/visual pollution. Some
reason for this occurrence is the overconsumption of tourists as well as their
irresponsibility as travelers. For instance, as per Forbes calculations, Caribbean tourism
contributed 62 billion kg of CO2 to global emissions in 2018. Therefore, efficient
management of pollution must be imposed.
In addition, the construction of infrastructures and tourism facilities such as hotels,
resorts, and restaurants has led to habitat loss. To actively illustrate, the Philippines is a
well-known hot spot with spectacular beaches, and it is common to find establishments
along the shorelines. Overdevelopment and widespread paving of coastlines can cause
habitat degradation and disturbance of land-sea interactions such as sea turtle nesting
spots. For this reason, travel and tourism stakeholders should help to protect the
ecosystem.
In relation to the preceding paragraph, the loss of habitat directly relates to the
logarithmically increasing numbers of endangered species. Based on the findings in a
study conducted by Steven, R, and Castley, G. (2013), tourism is said to be threatening
63 critically endangered and endangered bird species (marine, coastal, and aquatic).
These occurrences are common in Polynesia–Micronesia and the Mediterranean Basin.
On the contrary, Tourism may directly help the conservation of vulnerable places
and habitats. Revenue from park admission fees and other similar sources can be used
to pay for the conservation and maintenance of ecologically sensitive regions. For
example, there is an entrance fee in Philippine Eagle Center wherein the proceeds are
used to assist Philippine Eagle Foundation's in situ and ex situ conservation efforts.
All things considered, aside from the progressive impact of tourism on the
economy, it has a detrimental effect on the environment as it causes pollution and natural
habitat loss. However, some efforts were being made to protect wildlife by utilizing the
tourism industry. It is important to note that we must not neglect our responsibilities to the
environment as we continue our journey into different places.
Ref:
(2011, April 28). Philippine Eagle Foundation. Best in Davao. Retrieved May 30, 2022,
from https://www.bestindavao.com/park-and-recreations-tourist-spotsdavao/philippine-eagle-foundation/
Environmental impacts of tourism. Environmental Impacts of Tourism. (n.d.). Retrieved
May 30, 2022, from https://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/envi/one.html
Steven, R, and Castley, G. (2013) Tourism as a threat to critically endangered and
endangered birds ... (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257538470_Tourism_as_a_threat_to_crit
ically_endangered_and_endangered_birds_Global_patterns_and_trends_in_cons
ervation_hotspots
What has habitat loss got to do with tourism? PATA Crisis Resource Center. (2020,
November 3). Retrieved May 30, 2022, from https://crc.pata.org/what-has-habitatloss-got-to-do-with-tourism/