In every country, there is bound to be positive and negative changes due to tourism. In this post, I have listed a few changes that Australia has experienced due to the growth in tourism.
Positive Changes
Better economy
As the number of tourist arrivals increase, this will lead to a higher level of tourist dollars as visitors to the country may spend money on food, accommodations and attractions in Australia. With the better economy, it will also allow the locals to have more job opportunities.
As more tourist facilities are developed, the government would need people to run the facilities and provide services to the tourist. This is where the locals come in as they can find a variety of jobs due to the growth in tourism. They have more options to choose from, for example they can work in the hotel industry, work in restaurants, or even work at attraction sites.
As quoted from http://www.gawler.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/5_Gawler_Impacts_Tourism.PDF, “In 1997/98, tourism consumption in Australia totalled $58.2 billion contributing 4.5% of Australia’s total GDP and 6% of its employment.”
Preserving of natural environment
In Australia, there are many natural attractions you can visit, for example, the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock (Uluru), the Blue Mountains and rainforests. Tourist would want to visit Australia for their famous natural landmarks and due to tourism the government would ensure that these locations are properly maintained so as to attract more tourists. For example, the government can simply cut down the Daintree rainforest in Queensland to make space for more tourist facilities but they chose not to and to instead develop the rainforest as a tourist destination.
Increase awareness of indigenous people
Due to tourism, more people know about the Aboriginal people/culture in Australia. To visit the Aboriginal tribe is a motivating factor for some tourist hence it fosters community pride amongst the tribe. This is because they now know that people is genuinely interested in knowing more about the Aboriginal culture and history, therefore making them feel proud to share more about their culture. With the increase in awareness of the Aboriginal people, they are better appreciated by both the locals as well.
On May 26, 1998, many Australians observed a national Sorry Day. On this day, white Australians signed hundreds of “sorry books” and presented them to the Aboriginal leader as a sign of apology for the way the Aboriginal people were treated by the white Australians in the past.
Facilities that benefit both tourist and locals
As tourism continues to increase, the Australian government would develop more attractions that will benefit both tourist and locals alike. For example, the Sydney Opera House now benefits both tourist and locals as both groups would visit the famous landmark to catch a performance or to just pose in front of it. Another example would be Phillip Island. As it is one of Australia’s attractions, both tourist and locals can visit the island, play with the penguins and Koalas and take home a souvenir or two.
Negative Changes
Destruction of natural environment
The Great Barrier Reef is a popular attraction in Australia. As more people are interested to see the attraction, it has indirectly destroyed the environment. Corals are broken due to reef walking or by boats dropping anchors. Some boats spill oil/fuel, this in turns affects the corals and wildlife as well because the oil/fuel will prevent oxygen from reaching these creatures.
As there is a rise in the number of tourist, there is bound to be more pollution such as littering. Through this, it will spoil the natural beauty of the environment. Visitors who go diving in the water might have run-off sweat and suntan lotions and this will have a negative impact on the reef environment.
Loss/dilution of culture and traditions
As the Aboriginal people are getting more educated, they are attracted to tourism related jobs rather than their traditional jobs such as agriculture and hunting. In the long run, this will lead to a loss in culture as no body would want to continue the tradition of hunting or farming but would prefer to work in proper industries and get their food from the grocery store.
These Aboriginal people would adapt to tourist demands, for example they would have to perform their traditional dance everyday to tourist. This would interrupt their daily way of life such as hunting and gathering. Through this, it would dilute their culture.
No comments:
Post a Comment