More and more developing countries today are growing their tourism sector. While this trend may bring about some unfavorable outcomes, I believe it is largely a change for the better.
To start, it is essential to acknowledge some negative aspects of growing tourism in developing countries. One major concern is perhaps over the environment. Some people fear that an influx of tourists into developing countries, or any country for that matter, leads to overcrowding, which results in air, noise and light pollution. Many forms of pollution – aggravated by tourism – in turn, undermines the local environment. Not only the environment but also historical buildings are at risk of possible damage. Dismissive tourists are known to litter and vandalize historical landmarks as well as pristine locations in developing countries, compromising the integrity of these sites.
I, on the other hand, share the view that developing countries are right to expand their tourism sectors. This is because it is arguably one of the most practical ways of stimulating the economy. Tourism helps developing countries generate revenue with an inflow of income from tourists who spend money on local products and services. As well as directly generating money, the local economy benefits from jobs created in many other sectors of the economy such as transportation along with the hospitality industry. Furthermore, tourism contributes to the preservation of local history and culture seeing as places of historical and cultural significance, such as the Ark fortress in my hometown, are restored and maintained in an effort to attract tourists. This ensures the longevity of these sites.
In conclusion, while concerns over the environment and historical sites are somewhat justified, I believe that a growing emphasis on tourism in developing countries is decidedly a step in the right direction in terms of economic boost and historical preservation.