The tourism sector plays a crucial role in our modern economic system, accounting for 10.3% of the total global gross domestic product and contributing 333 million jobs to the world economy (WTTC, 2019). Over the past two decades, the tourism sector has experienced rapid growth, which has raised concerns among researchers, policymakers, and conscious consumers regarding its environmental impacts. The transportation, accommodation, and leisure activities associated with tourism exert significant stress on the natural environment.
Tourism’s environmental impacts include:
- Energy and water consumption
- Pollution, including air pollution, water pollution (such as the discharge of oil and cleaning chemicals in wastewater from cruise ships), noise pollution, waste pollution, and light pollution, which negatively impact wildlife reproduction and nesting. The total contribution of tourism activities to global warming is estimated to be in the order of 5.2% to 12.5% (UNEP and UNWTO, 2012)
- Conversion of biologically productive lands for tourism infrastructure
- Habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from the development and construction of infrastructure, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation
- The introduction of alien species, which can have a negative impact on native species
For years, researchers have warned about the overexploitation of fish and other direct damages to ecosystems caused by tourism. For example, Gössling and Peeters (2015) highlighted that tourism can contribute to the consumption of “problematic” foods (such as giant shrimp), leading to the deforestation of mangrove ecosystems (p. 647). In addition, Drius et al. (2019) indicated that recreational boating could damage marine habitats (such as seagrass beds) due to the use of boat propellers.
According to Gössling and Peeters (2015), the amount of food consumed in tourism contexts is generally higher than typical at-home food consumption. As a result, there is an increase in energy and freshwater consumption and waste generation, including plastic waste from food packaging. Moreover, the additional demand for food may lead to increased agricultural activities, which can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, water stress, habitat loss, and pollution from pesticides and herbicides.
References:
Drius, M., Bongiorni, L., Depellegrin, D., Menegon, S., Pugnetti, A., & Stifter, S. (2019). Tackling challenges for Mediterranean sustainable coastal tourism: An ecosystem service perspective. Science of the Total Environment, 652, 1302–1317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.121
Gössling, S. & P. Peeters (2015). Assessing tourism’s global environmental impact 1900–2050, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23:5, 639-659, DOI:10.1080/09669582.2015.1008500
UNEP and UNWTO, 2012. Tourism in the Green Economy: Background Report. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Spain and Kenya, p. 14. https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/22015
WTTC, 2019. Economic Impact Reports. https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact
Like (2)