Good Tourist, Bad Tourist: The Impacts of Tourism - Lab 081
This week we're talking all about the tourism economy. Specifically, we really wanted to know more about coastal tourism and its effect on local communities and ecologies.
Where did the idea of the beach vacation come from?
It has its roots in the 1500’s with the idea of the curative properties of seawater
Eventually commercialized into seaside resorts for the health benefits
The Historic Healing Power of the Beach, by Adee Braun
Explosion in beach tourism after WWII with the growth of the middle class and more affordable travel options
What makes up the tourism industry today?
Food and agriculture, hospitality, transportation, travel agencies and tour companies, tourism boards, attractions, entertainment
Of all of these, the biggest carbon footprint is air travel
And of course, people:
“Tourism worldwide accounts for 10% of all jobs worldwide. So you have to look at the human factor of their input into this economy and how important that part is also.” Sarah Stodola
How has tourism changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
Work-from-home culture means people can take longer trips and work from those destinations, including Digital Nomad visa programs
Potential benefits include fewer long-haul flights, richer experiences living like a local
Potential consequences include driving up housing costs, gentrification
Who benefits from beach tourism and who gets harmed?
“Who ultimately controls and benefits from beach tourism is really dependent on local governments.” Sarah Stodola
In Fiji, for example, the land rights are very strong and financially beneficial for the indigenous population
On the other hand, land rights are not set up the same way in Hawaii where Indigenous Hawaiians are suffering from over-tourism and over-building
Tourism also has repercussions for the local ecology:
Large carbon footprint, especially from air travel
Coastal erosion from over-building along the shoreline
Invasive species like the palm tree imported to beachfront resorts
Chemical run-off from over-fertilizing golf courses
“50 years from now, the palm tree is not going to be the symbol of beach tourism that it is now.” - Sarah Stodola
How do we take these things into consideration when we travel?
People are not going to stop traveling completely, but we can be more cognizant of the carbon footprint of our tourism and look into alternatives to long-haul flights
When you travel, support local businesses, especially for lodging and food
“The direct benefit to local communities that way is much greater.” Sarah Stodola
Consider purchasing carbon offsets
“For me, putting money directly in locals' pockets is the best way we can leave a positive impact.” - Nia Chavin, Born a Backpacker: https://www.bornabackpacker.com/
Additional Reading:
What is a carbon footprint? What contributes to it?
Programs that offset carbon footprint
Fiction to understand the impact of industrialization or tourism on coastal communities?
One Thing:
The Last Resort: A Chronicle of Paradise, Profit and Peril at the Beach, by Sarah Stodola
Carbon Footprint Calculator: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
Expert Guest:
Sarah Stodola, travel writer and author of The Last Resort: A Chronicle of Paradise, Profit and Peril at the Beach