Tourism has long been regarded as a double-edged sword because of the disadvantages and advantages that it presents to the specific community or country. Tourism has always benefited a country because of the revenue it generates for the specific country. The benefits of tourism include environmental, economic, and cultural aspects recorded by the country and the people. However, tourism has been considered disadvantageous because of the environmental degradation factor it possesses in the country. There is a need to understand both perspectives of tourism if one desires to exploit tourism for the good of the private and public sectors without really endangering the wildlife or the people. The commonly recorded poor management and regulations surrounding wildlife safaris have exerted significant pressure on the animals while also risking the life and well-being of the tourists. Loss of tourism potential has often resulted from loss of biodiversity when there is a strain on resources and land because of excessive usage and an influence on vegetation, mountains, water, coastal surroundings, marine, and wildlife. Overconsumption, especially in places with scarce resources, has resulted in tourism placing pressure on natural resources. In essence, it is essential to dispute the prevalent ideas concerning the influence that tourism has on wildlife and to advocate for a shift toward more sustainable tourist practices.
Overcrowding and Disturbance
Tourism increases foot traffic, and disruptions disrupt natural habitats, which in turn causes wildlife to experience stress. The patterns of breeding, feeding, and migration are negatively impacted, which will have long-term repercussions for the survival of species populations. The development of tourism infrastructure and construction work has significant repercussions for the environment, including the reduction of green spaces, the destruction of forests, the accumulation of solid waste and sewage, the excessive consumption of air and water, the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to the pollution of air and water, the occurrence of climate change, the loss and displacement of biodiversity, and the environmental degradation of ecosystems. As a result of the unfavorable outcomes of tourism expansion, there will be a great deal of difficulty for both visitors and native people in the not too distant future. The development of tourist infrastructure and land usage frequently stresses natural capital by using an excessive amount of resources, which affects the growth of tourism and its prevalence in society. This can result in soil erosion, increased pollution, the destruction of natural ecosystems, and species extinction as adverse outcomes of tourism that call for specific addressing.
Nevertheless, tourism significantly contributes to economic growth, and many countries have invested in the sector to stabilize their economies. Wildlife is more than capable of adjusting to the presence of travelers to guarantee the success of the tourism sector and a continuous flow of economic advantages. When it comes to the economics of the entire world, tourism is one of the most prominent and rapidly expanding areas; thus, the need to adapt human practices to environmentally suitable practices that encourage the growth of the tourism sector (Manzoor et al. 5). Increases in tourism earnings and the creation of thousands of employment opportunities are crucial benefits of tourism to a given society or country. Wildlife tourism increases public interest in biodiversity while contributing to the social value and economic viability of protected areas, which is why the provision of chances for wildlife observation is a significant component in the governance of protected areas, particularly wildlife reserves (Perera et al. 237). Further, tourism results in the development of a nation’s infrastructure and the cultivation of a feeling of cultural interchange between people and visitors from other countries, which calls for the need to maintain the sector and cultivate practices that will foster its growth. When it comes to preparing for the future, policymakers and managers play a crucial in the success of the sector. As a result, protected areas must pay attention to the main areas of innovation and development to solve the issues of overcrowding and disturbance.
During stakeholder consultations, the most critical actions that can be highlighted are the diversification of wildlife tourism offerings based on the preferences of visitors, the development of substitute destinations, carrying capacity-based visitor management, cluster-based management of protected areas, the enhancement of facilities and interpretation services to improve the experience for visitors, an emphasis on moderate volume-high value clientele, and the vigorous involvement from interested parties in wildlife tourism planning. This is necessary to prevent natural area tourism after a pandemic from reverting to a business-as-usual situation.
Habitat Destruction
Loss of habitat, fragmentation of habitat, and habitat degradation are frequently the outcomes of the spread of infrastructure, resorts, and roadways in tourism. As a result of this, the delicate equilibrium that exists within ecosystems is put in jeopardy, and the existence of a significant number of species is put in jeopardy. Numerous animal accidents occur due to the cutting of mountains, which causes the forest to be divided into sections and, as a result, affects the path of numerous species of animals that live there. The actual placement of roads and railroads in the landscape results in the formation of new habitat margins, changes in the dynamics of the hydrological system, and the disruption of natural mechanisms and habitats (Bala et al. 27). Various chemical pollutants and noise are released into the environment as a result of maintenance and operating operations, which damage the surrounding environment. In addition, most terrestrial animals cannot roam freely due to the presence of infrastructure and traffic, which results in the death of millions of individual animals each year. All of the different biotic and abiotic factors work together synergistically, both locally and on a more overall scale. The development of transportation infrastructure not only results in the destruction and isolation of animal habitats but also contributes to the actual fragmentation of landscape areas.
However, with the proper measures and activities, the expansion of tourism strengthens local economies and generates employment opportunities without inflicting substantial environmental damage. The economy, the community, and the people all stand to profit in a variety of ways from tourism. Tourism is a significant contributor to the economy since it generates cash. Additionally, tourism has an obligation to the government to alleviate poverty, offer possibilities for job placements, safeguard habitats, and maintain natural ecosystems and biodiversity. There is a presumption that if the tourist sector is allowed to operate independently, it would most likely prioritize its commercial interests over preserving the environment or preserving biodiversity. Providing a clean environment, nature, and ecosystem falls directly under the purview of governments, who are the guardians of the lives and well-being of the people they govern. Tourism is a significant employer of women worldwide, with many women working in all aspects of the industry and most women working in sub-industries such as the hospitality and culinary industries. There are significant obstacles to overcome to achieve an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future of work. This is because a significant number of tourist workers are at risk of experiencing long-term effects throughout their working lives. These implications may include difficulties participating in the labor market and advancing their careers. On the other hand, the rebuilding process also presents a chance to construct a more equitable and sustainable future for all of the workers from the industry.
Wildlife Exploitation
In addition to contributing to the extinction of endangered species, the desire for wildlife encounters, which includes unethical animal interactions and trophy hunting, is a significant driver of criminal activities. The exploitation of endangered animal populations is frequently the result of the circumvention of stringent legislation. Specific animal-based tourism will be successful or unsuccessful depending on whether there is a shift in public attitude toward either a higher appreciation for animal welfare and condemnation of unethical methods or an increased concern for host places and people who need to make a livelihood in an uncertain future (Von Essen et al. 17). Similar to how current trends and ideals will have a significant influence on the future of some tourist activities, global travel patterns and pandemics will also have a significant impact. From an ethical and welfare perspective, sympathetic animal-based tourism that might balance the well-being of animals with the interests of tourists is one of the most significant challenges facing the travel and tourism sector. Other challenges that must be addressed include the role of technology in strengthening, promoting, or substituting animal-based tourism, cultural relativism as a possible obstacle to establishing universal animal welfare norms, and the possibility of understanding animal-based tourism.
Additionally, there is the potential to introduce trophy hunting and mass tourism as a means of generating cash for the community while also contributing to the preservation and maintenance of the ecology in the region. Implementing these measures has resulted in economic gains; nevertheless, these benefits have been achieved at the expense of other environmental concerns. Trophy hunting and mass tourism have both contributed to a variety of ecological difficulties (Rashid et al. 1). As a result of the fact that trophy hunting has not been based on scientific population statistics, it has not contributed to an increase in the number of wild ungulates or wild mammalian species. Although the number of people visiting tourist areas has skyrocketed, the ecology has been harmed due to the pollution produced, and the fauna has been badly affected.
The public is educated, and conservation awareness is fostered via wildlife tourism. In addition, it has been demonstrated that wildlife-based tourism is an excellent method for modifying visitors’ environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. This is accomplished by providing them with direct contact with animals, accompanied by good conservation messages. Wildlife-based tourism businesses are essential partners in teaching and motivating individuals to engage in informed conservation efforts. Conservation messaging is not often a priority for many wildlife-based tourist operators, who frequently fail to establish meaningful ties between people and wildlife by using effective conservation education and proactive environmental assessments. This is because conservation messaging is not always given priority.
Climate Change and Pollution
The carbon footprint of travel, the destruction of forests for the construction of tourism infrastructure, and the pollution caused by garbage created by visitors are all factors that are contributing to climate change and environmental degradation, which in turn has an additional impact on species and the ecosystems in which they live. The relationship between a strategy to alleviate the consequences of climate change and low-carbon tourism relies on two measures to reduce carbon emissions. These initiatives together provide the foundation of the connection. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and removing any greenhouse gases that have been previously emitted are the goals of the programs (Song 1). To avoid and manage the destruction of environmentally friendly tourism caused by climate change, the most critical task is to manage the carbon risk linked to the shift to a net-zero economy. When it is possible to decarbonize tourism to a level compatible with science-based policy objectives, tourism cannot be considered sustainable. The resurgence of tourism as a response to climate change entails the implementation of a low-carbon path, which includes reforming policies and institutions, changes in behavior, and action to combat climate change as significant components.
The tourism industry helps raise awareness about environmental issues, and environmentally responsible behaviors are becoming increasingly widespread. To ensure the successful conservation of environmental and natural resources, developing sustainable ecotourism requires supporting policy interventions from the government. These interventions must be developed without jeopardizing the populace’s economic viability and social well-being. On the one hand, the expansion and development of tourism generates economic activity; on the other hand, it has particularly adverse effects on the environment and the culture of the people living there.
Works Cited
Bala, Ankush, et al. Environmental, Bio-Social, and Economic Impact of Road Construction at Kunjwani-Nagrota Bypass Highway, Jammu Dist. (J&K), India. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT), 2020, 10.9790/2402-1504022736.
Manzoor, Faiza, et al. “The Contribution of Sustainable Tourism to Economic Growth and Employment in Pakistan.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 19, Oct. 2019, p. 3785. NCBI.
Perera, Priyan, et al. “Challenges and Opportunities for the Resumption of Nature Tourism in Post-Pandemic Sri Lanka.” International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, Mar. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2023.03.001.
Rashid, Wajid, et al. “Issues and Opportunities Associated with Trophy Hunting and Tourism in Khunjerab National Park, Northern Pakistan.” Animals, vol. 10, no. 4, Apr. 2020, p. 597, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040597.
Song, Wonseob. “Climate Change and Tourism Sustainability in Jeju Island Landscape.” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 1, Dec. 2022, p. 88, https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010088.
Von Essen, Erica, et al. “Instagranimal: Animal Welfare and Animal Ethics Challenges of Animal-Based Tourism.” Animals, vol. 10, no. 10, Oct. 2020, p. 1830, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101830.
write