Definition Tourism

2.- Tourism

2.1.- Definition

It is the travel for recreation, leisure, religious, family business purposes, usually of a limited duration. Tourism is commonly associated with trans-national travel, but may also refer to travel to another location within the same country. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".

Tourism has become one of the world's largest industries, and the revenues it generates have grown increasingly important for the global economy.

Many people are in the habit of traveling over different countries in order to see the places of their respective interests like the structures of sculptural beauty, attractive spots of nature and so on. So, we find a lot of foreign tourists in different countries.

“To travel is to discover, that everyone is wrong about other countries”

– Aldous Huxley (English writer)

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2.2.- Impact of Tourism

The sustainability of tourism depends on the ability of business leaders and tourism experts to efficiently and effectively maximize its benefits while at the same time minimizing it's costs.

Areas with valuable natural resources such as mountains, wildlife and impeccable scenic beauty are preserved and protected from ecological deterioration. The revenue generated from tourism is used in the restoration, repair and improvement of historical artifacts, monuments and buildings. National attitude is heightened as there is great pride and appreciation of local resources.

2.2.1.- Advantages

➢ Tourism development creates employment opportunities while improving the local economy.

➢ More jobs mean less poverty.

➢ Revenue from lodging taxes and property taxes has increased within the major tourist locations over the years.

➢ Governments are able to raise additional tax revenues from the income generated by this sector.

➢ It creates and induces new business opportunities for locals as well as advance a better transport and public utility infrastructure.

➢ Cultural preservation: economic incentives to preserve food, fashion, festival and physical history.

➢ It generates economical resources.

➢ Interactions with tourists promote social and cultural exchange which improves the quality of life of the residents in these settings.

➢ It can provide a incentive for investment in infrastructure such as roads and rail networks, as well as funding local medical and education facilities.

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2.2.2.- Disadvantages

➢ The environment can be degraded by an increasing number of visitors to such exotic locations.

➢ Poor waste management and various forms of pollution by tourists can jeopardize the wellness of a particular environment.

➢ A frequent flow of visitors may agitate wildlife by changing their natural behaviors.

➢ The cost of living and prices of essential goods and services, land and housing near tourist establishments have increased considerably.

➢ Foreign owners of these companies export the profits made to their native countries.

➢ More traffic in the air, skies, water, roads make for more pollution.

Tourism has its negative and positive impacts on a country's economy.

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