It is true that international travel is gaining popularity among individuals. But there are widely differing views on the issue whether it is beneficial or not. While for some people it seems to be a negative trend, I personally believe that its advantages are far more significant.
Undoubtedly, certain negatives of tourism that are undeniable. Firstly, mass tourism can have adverse consequence on Flora and Fauna. Because constant flow of tourists may disturb wildlife, leading to habitat and extinction of certain species. India stand out as a clear example, where hundreds of elephants die each year due to mass tourism. For instance, many travellers visit India to experience elephant rides, which negatively impacts the well-being of elephant and contributes to their decline. As a result, the demand for elephant rides encourages unethical practices, including captivity and mistreatment, ultimately leading to a decline in the elephant population. Secondly, apart from ecological issues, foreigners may negatively impact local culture and traditions by introducing their own customs, which can lead to the erosion of indigenous practices.Because tourism often brings exposure to different lifestyles and values, local communities may gradually adopt foreign habits, leading to the loss of traditional customs. For instance, in some tourist-heavy areas, traditional clothing and rituals are sometimes modified or even abandoned to appeal to visitors, diminishing the cultural identity of the region.As a result, local traditions may become diluted or commercialized, prioritizing tourist satisfaction over cultural authenticity.
However, tourism offers numerous significant benefits that are worth considering. First and foremost, the tourism industry as a constant stream of income provides an impetus to the economy to ensure the security and stability of the economy. Because travellers spend on restaurants, shops, hotels and on other services, thereby leading to increase the income for the country. For example, tourists visit a certain place to engage in various recreational activity and use different services, which leads to increases demand and more job opportunities for locals resulting in a significant decline in unemployment rate.
To conclude as far as tourism is concerned, although some people consider it as a negative development, I still hold the view that advantages can easily outweigh the disadvantages.