Tourism is responsible for a number of negative impacts upon the quality of communities and their surrounding environment, with regard to cultural, social and environmental issues. Environmental impacts may be divided into resource depletion and resource degradation, although they are interrelated and not always distinguishable. The former refers to the overuse of resources such as energy, freshwater, raw materials, marine resources, food and land etc, whereas the latter is related to waste production, pollution, deforestation, erosion, disruption of wildlife and habitat destruction, both of which occur during development as well as tourism activity (Neto, 2003). Secondly, tourism may alter cultural and social patterns through the influx of transient population and crime, the commoditisation of culture and neo-colonisation of tourist areas due to the import of capital and labour (Hollinshead 1996). This may result in alienation of communities, acculturation, pressure on local resources, inflation, loss of public land and degradation of cultural sites, causing a change in the pace of life, loss of tradition and sense of identity (ACF 1993, Cohen 1988, Hollinshead 1996).
Conversely tourism may contribute to environmental conservation, socio-economic improvements and the strengthening of cultural values, through the provision of incentives and stimulus in the form of finances, awareness and education, ideally leading to greater appreciation of natural resources, better understanding of ecological processes, increased cultural pride and the diversification of economies. Especially in developing countries the socio-economic benefits can be immense, as tourism development creates employment for non-skilled workers and is often accompanied by improvements in infrastructure, sanitation and hygiene, which in turn may attract investors and create a positive multiplier effect for the rest of the economy (Neto 2003), while natural resources are given increased economic value. Furthermore, increased visitation may raise international awareness of third world issues and cultural exchange may benefit both locals and visitors, by instilling respect and appreciation for other people’s cultural values.This relationship of harmony and symbiosis between tourism, communities and the environment is an ideal tourism that can and must be achieved, not only for the sake of communities and the ecology, but also for its own sake as it depends upon the well being of nature and people.
