What this lesson teaches
I can explain how tourism can be good for the economy, people and the environment at the same time.
Syllabus K226, Topic 2.3, Key Question 1. How does tourism development help achieve sustainable development?
Make a guess
A new resort makes record profits, but it pumps so much groundwater that nearby wells run dry. Is it sustainable tourism?
- Yes, because it creates jobs and income.
- It cannot be judged until it closes.
- No. Profit cannot make up for the harm.
- Yes, as long as tourists enjoy their stay.
Show the answer
No. Profit cannot make up for the harm.
Sustainable tourism must balance money, people and nature over time. Dry wells harm residents and the water supply the resort itself depends on.
Sustainable tourism needs lasting jobs and income, respect for local people and healthy nature, all at once and for the long term.
Sustainable tourism looks after money, people and nature, now and in the future. A project can make money and still fail if it harms wildlife or shuts out local people.
The economic side means tourism keeps giving jobs and income for years, not a short boom and then a crash. Tourism money can help pay for schools, clinics and water. But only if it is spent on them and people can use them.
The social side means respecting local culture. Communities should have a say in how they are shown to visitors. Respectful contact helps visitors understand and accept other ways of life.
The environmental side means protecting nature, heritage and wildlife. If tourism uses water or harms habitats faster than they recover, it harms its own future. All three sides must be balanced over time.
Sort these
Which dimension of sustainable tourism does each piece of evidence mainly show?
Groups: Economic, Social, Environmental.
- Visitors learn local customs before entering homes
- Hotels treat their wastewater before it reaches the sea
- Coral cover on the reef is monitored and stays stable
- Villagers decide which ceremonies visitors may watch
- Tourism taxes pay for a clinic that residents actually use
- Guides have kept steady jobs for ten years, not just one boom season
Show the answer
Economic
- Tourism taxes pay for a clinic that residents actually use Turning tourism money into services people can use is an economic benefit.
- Guides have kept steady jobs for ten years, not just one boom season Lasting work and income over many years is the economic side of sustainability.
Social
- Visitors learn local customs before entering homes Respectful contact between visitors and hosts is part of social sustainability.
- Villagers decide which ceremonies visitors may watch Communities controlling how their culture is shown is the social side.
Environmental
- Hotels treat their wastewater before it reaches the sea Stopping pollution protects nature, which is the environmental side.
- Coral cover on the reef is monitored and stays stable Healthy habitats that keep recovering show the environmental side is working.
- Economic
- Lasting jobs, income and better services.
- Social
- Respect culture and give communities a say.
- Environmental
- Protect nature, heritage and wildlife.
Step by step
Check the money
Lasting work, income and services people can use.
Check the people
Communities control their culture; visitors learn.
Check nature
Habitats and natural processes stay healthy.
Worked example: Does a visitor fee help?
In a made-up place, part of a visitor fee goes to water supply and habitat care. It helps only if records show how the money is spent and things get better.
Watch out for this
Doing well on one side makes up for harm on the others.
The three are linked. High income cannot undo lost habitats or people shut out of basic services.
Check your understanding
Which claim needs more evidence?
- Higher tourism income means better services for residents.
- Healthy nature can support future tourism in the area for years.
- Tourism can bring income when visitors buy things locally.
Show the answer
Higher tourism income means better services for residents.
Yes. It depends on how money is spent and who can use the services.