Tourism - blessing or curse?

The development of air travel and growing competition between airlines has reduced the cost of flying in recent years. This has also led to an increase in travel to long-haul destinations, bringing many LEDCs within range of the tourist. Many LEDCs have used tourism to develop their economies. In many ways tourism is an ideal economic activity, however it can also create many problems.

The Multilpier Effect demonatrates how tourism can help economies to develop e.g.
New hotel built
Tourists come
Tourists spend money
More jobs created. Local shops and businesses make more money
Spending power of local people increases
Leisure facilities developed
New airport and water and electricity facilities improve
Transport facilities improved
More hotels built
More tourists come

But, tourism can also cause problems for people living in LEDCs. Some of these problems are on this sheet.

Spot the difference between a mass tourist and a sustainable tourist here:



Homework question
Many LEDCs have used tourism as a way of developing their economy.
1. Name an LEDC you have studied where tourism has been used as a route to development.
2. Describe the positive and negative effects of the development of tourism on the quality of life for people living there.
3. Overall, so you think tourism has benefited your chosen country?