These days, tourism appears to be a popular and pleasant option for spending vacation, seeing interesting places, meeting new people, and broadening the mind. It is also beneficial for the local economic condition. However, in present-day developments, the consequences of the mass arrival of people are evident. First of all, local cultures may encounter some hardships, and local authorities are more likely to supply more opportunities for large retail departments, which will attract significant profit. Secondly, it is a common sight when the income does not benefit the local population. Multinationals, such as airlines and hotel chains, are predominantly the only ones, who receive profit from the popularity of tourism. It is also worthy to note that tourism damages the environment considerably, as prominent sights attract a great number of people, who pollute water, air, and the area around them. This problem presents a pressing concern and should be addressed urgently.
A possible solution for this hot-button issue could be eco-tourism. According to What Is Eco-tourism?, this term implies “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (n. d., para. 4). Its main principle involves minimizing “physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts” (What Is Eco-tourism?, n. d., para. 6). In addition, it supports the spreading of awareness of the negative consequences of tourism and respect attitude towards popular holiday destinations among travelers. Eco-tourism involves receiving a significant amount of positive experience while exploring foreign countries, though the negative impact is minimizing as much as possible. It also includes some options for supporting local enterprises and supplying them with profit from tourism. This way, it is undeniable that eco-tourism appears to be a satisfactory solution to multiple problems associated with traveling.
Reference
What is ecotourism? (n. d.). The International Ecotourism Society. Web.