Pollution is an ever growing concern in the world today and every income generating sector of the economy can hardly claim innocence when it comes to pollution. Tourism on one hand is a very profitable industry that contributes significantly to the pollution of the world in general. The relationship between tourism and the environment is complex, yet interdependent because it sometimes translates to a large portion of income for many developing nations which cannot be foregone. As much as tourism is responsible for large amounts of income, it is still responsible for the destruction of plenty of natural resources, but recent practices are steering the industry in the direction of conservation and preservation of the world for future generations.
Growth and development, coupled by growth in human population is a leading factor for the strain placed on natural resources which ultimately leads to the destruction of natural habitat and beauty all together. Where small ecosystems attract tourists, destinations such as islands tend to become vulnerable with each passing day because of the shortage of space and freshwater, according to Aall (2011). Since tourism is a controllable event, it becomes a viable option for nations whenever long and short-term goals interests of the environment are considered. If not so, then it is guaranteed that unplanned development would lead to the destruction of not only the tourism industry in the region but also the ecosystem. On the other hand, tourism can also have beneficial effects to the environment through its contribution towards the conservation and protection of the environment through measures such as creating awareness, ecotourism and improved environmental planning and management, just to mention a few (Morgan, 2011). Since tourism is expected to grow with coming years, there is no need to vilify the industry, but rather stakeholders should pitch in and come up with sustainable methods of preserving the industry as well as the environment.
Works Cited
Aall, C. Energy use and leisure consumption in Norway: An analysis and reduction strategy.J. Sustain. Tour. 2011, 19, 729–745.
Morgan, Richard. Sustainability of Tourism: Cultural and Environmental Perspectives. N.p.: University of Glasgow, 12 Sept. 2011. PDF.
