Tourism and Environmental Degradation

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world. It is an increasingly important source of income, employment and wealth in many countries. International tourism now accounts for a larger share of foreign exchange receipts and export earnings than any other industry in the world. But, while tourism provides considerable economic benefits for many countries, regions and communities, its rapid expansion has also had detrimental environmental and socio-cultural impacts. Natural resource depletion and environmental degradation associated with tourism, for example, are often serious problems in tourism-rich regions. The paper argues that the promotion of sustainable tourism development is essential for maximizing its socio-economic benefits and minimizing its environmental impact.

Tourism can be considered one of the most remarkable socio-economic phenomena of the twentieth century. From an activity “enjoyed by only a small group of relatively well-off people” during the first half of the last century, it gradually became a mass phenomenon during the post-World War II period, particularly from the 1970s onwards.

Tourism is a source os environmental degradation, like:
- Deteriotation of environmental conditions;
- Territorial elimination;
- Redused quality of life fo local communities.