rls263 17+18 social, cultural and environmental impacts of tourism

tourism influences many apsects of host communities, including…

🎨 Handicrafts

🗣 Language

🕊 Traditions

🍽 Gastronomy / Food

🎭 Art and Music

🏛 History

👷 Local Work

🏠 Architecture

🕌 Religion

🎓 Educational System

👗 Clothing (good example)

🎡 Leisure Activities

positive socio-cultural impacts of tourism

• Improved Income (regional / national) — higher earnings through tourism-related activities.

• Employment Opportunities — creation of jobs for local residents.

  • main priority of tourism

• Better Education — investment in training and skills development.

• Enhanced Infrastructure — better roads, communication, and facilities.

• Improved Services — increased access to healthcare, utilities, and transport.

negative socio-cultural impacts of tourism

• Threat to Local Culture — traditions may be altered or lost.

  • disturbing CULTURAL IDENTITY* of locals when tourists do not follow rules and ethnical codes of an area e.g., religious areas and codes

• Cultural Commercialization — culture becomes a “product” for tourists.

  • not knowing its significance but just buying cultural items “for fun” or “for memoir”

• Decline in Quality of Life — crowding, noise, and social tension.

• Loss of Authenticity — cultural expressions lose their original meaning.

  • also leads to cultural identity loss

two-way cultural impact in tourism

• The study of socio-cultural impacts often focuses on the host community — how residents’ lives and traditions are affected by tourism

• However, it’s equally important to recognize that the local culture of the destination also influences tourists themselves.

• Tourism is therefore a two-way exchange — not only do visitors impact the host community, but they also learn, adapt, and transform through exposure to different ways of life.

cultural baggage in tourism

• When we travel, we carry with us our own beliefs, values, and behavioral norms — this is known as cultural baggage.

• Unlike physical luggage, cultural baggage is invisible, yet it deeply influences interactions at the destination.

• These tourist–host encounters can shape perceptions, create understanding, or sometimes lead to misunderstandings and cultural conflicts.

  • your cultural baggae can influence another’s culture so we have to be careful what baggage we bring with us

factors influencing socio-cultural impacts (sharpley, 1994)

• types and numbers of tourists

• important of tourism to the destination

• size and development of the tourism industry

• pace of tourism development

types of numbers and toursts

factor influencing socio-cultural impacts

• Low numbers or independent tourists → low impact

• High volume of mass tourism → greater cultural and social pressure on local communities

importance of tourism to the destination

factor influencing socio-cultural impacts

• communities that rely heavily on tourism may adapt behaviours, traditions, and values to meet tourist expectations. think of that film we watched!

• greater economic dependence → stronger cultural influence

size and development of the tourism industry

factor influencing socio-cultural impacts

• Small communities experience more visible change and overcrowding.

• Larger destinations can absorb impacts more easily

pace of tourism

factor influencing socio-cultural impacts

• Rapid growth overwhelms local systems and social norms.

  • some locations we need to implement the tourism industry very slowly in order to not overwhelm / immediately homogenize or destroy the culture of an area

• Leads to spatial displacement and loss of traditional space or identity

the scale and speed of tourism development determines….

whether impacts are manageable or disruptive

touristification

the process by which tourism transforms a place through the involvement of various stakeholders — such as governments, investors, and residents.

• highlights how tourist activities reshape the social, economic, and spatial dynamics of a destination

• not just about tourists arriving — it’s about how tourism redefines everyday life in a destination.

implications of touristification

• Alters the character and identity of places.

• Influences housing markets, local businesses, and public spaces.

• It can lead to both revitalization and displacement within communities.

displacement in tourism

• two kinds:

  • social displacement

  • place-based displacement

spatial displacement

Occurs when residents are moved from their homes to make way for tourism development. PHYSICALLY MOVING residents away

• May be forced (e.g., major events like the Olympics) or gradual, as rising prices and changing environments push locals away.

place-based displacement

Happens when familiar spaces are transformed by tourism.

• original styles of a place is changed because of tourists coming in (maybe destination is trying to appeal to new comsumers)

• Locals feel emotionally detached from places they once identified with.

• Causes loss of belonging and dissatisfaction within their own community.

tourism and women’s empowerment

1. Political and Social Empowerment

• Tourism enables women to engage in decision-making and community participation.

• Partnerships with civil society organizations strengthen their influence and voice.

2. Gender Equality Strategies

• Effective empowerment requires institutional and financial support.

• Policies should focus on equity, representation, and fair access opportunities.

3. Digitalization and Innovation

• Targeted training and access to technology help women enter new markets.

• Digital tools foster entrepreneurship and innovation across the tourism sector.

Empowering women in tourism…

drives social progress, inclusivity, and sustainable development

negative environmental impacts of tourism

• travel

  • Emissions from air, car, and cruise travel contribute to air pollution and carbon footprint.

• tourism destination development

  • Infrastructure construction (hotels, roads, resorts) leads to habitat loss, deforestation, and land degradation.

• tourism-related activities

  • Recreational activities like skiing, boating, or wildlife viewing can cause soil erosion, waste generation, and ecosystem disturbance.

some examples of harmful environmental impacts of travel

• Transportation

  • Airplanes, cars, buses, and cruise ships contribute heavily to carbon emissions.

• Pollution

  • Air, water, and noise pollution increase with high travel volumes.

• Wildlife Disturbance

  • Aircraft noise and vehicle traffic disrupt animal habitats and migration patterns.

• Climate Change (Canada Example)

  • In 2019, the road transportation sector accounted for:

    • 84% of Canada’s transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

    • 21% of total national greenhouse gas emissions.

inappropriate development

A Tourism Destination Development Environmental Impact

• Occurs when projects ignore environmental limits or local community needs.

• Example: Bali, Indonesia

• Conflicting regulations — frequent land-use changes to favor economic projects.

• Case: Benoa Bay reclassified (Presidential Regulation No. 51/2014)

  • Shifted from conservation → general utilization, enabling tourism expansion.

• Result: Weak environmental protection and loss of ecological integrity.

pollution

A Tourism Destination Development Environmental Impact

• Increased solid waste, wastewater, and construction runoff.

loss of natural habitat and wildlife

A Tourism Destination Development Environmental Impact

• Construction and land clearing cause deforestation and biodiversity decline.

loss of spirit and sense of place

A Tourism Destination Development Environmental Impact

• Destinations lose cultural and natural authenticity.

overcrowding and traffic congestion

A Tourism Destination Development Environmental Impact

• Strains the infrastructure and reduces local quality of life.

leave no trace mission

to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through science-based education and partnerships

the seven principles of LNT

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know regulations, weather, and terrain.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Stay on trails; protect fragile ecosystems.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack out all trash and leftover food.

4. Leave What You Find

• Preserve natural and cultural features.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Use stoves or established fire rings.

6. Respect Wildlife

• Observe from a distance; don’t feed animals.

7. Be Considerate of Others

• Keep noise down and share the outdoors respectfully.

tourism…

is not always harmful; it can be a driving force for protecting natural and cultural environments 

conservation of redundant or historic buildings

Tourism can play a vital role in preserving heritage by giving new purpose to old or unused structures.

🏗 Adaptive Reuse:

• Converts disused or obsolete buildings into visitor attractions, museums, or cultural centers.

💰 Economic Support for Preservation:

• Tourism generates funds for restoration and ongoing maintenance.

🎨 Cultural Revitalization:

• Restored sites contribute to community identity and local storytelling.

🌿 Sustainable Practice:

• Reusing existing buildings minimizes the impacts of new construction and promotes heritage sustainability.

• Examples:

🏝 Alcatraz Island, San Francisco — former prison turned major tourist site.

⛏ Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, Alberta — preserved as an industrial heritage attraction.The self-guiding Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour is 

protecting rare landscapes

Tourism can motivate the protection and preservation of rare or fragile environments by increasing their economic and cultural value.

• more income / funding = more changes of attempts at conservation because companies know it’ll bring in more revenue

protecting rare landscapes outcomes

🌳 Government Protection:

• Tourism often justifies the creation of national parks, reserves, and conservation zones.

🚫 Stricter Environmental Regulations:

• Tourism appeal can drive regulations against deforestation, poaching, or unplanned development.

💵 Funding for Conservation:

• Entrance fees and tourism revenues can support habitat protection and restoration.

volunteer tourism + environmental recreation

Involves travelers who participate in organized projects that support social, environmental, or research goals while on holiday.

Positive Contributions of volunteer tourism + environmental recreation

🌿 Environmental Restoration:

• Reforestation, wildlife monitoring, coral reef protection, and clean-up projects.

🏘 Community Support:

• Volunteers assist local communities through education, conservation, and development. programs.

🔬 Research and Awareness:

• Many programs help gather scientific data and promote environmental education among tourists.

💡 Ethical Travel:

• Encourages tourists to engage responsibly and give back to the destinations they visit.