Band 6+: The global tourism industry is experiencing rapid growth, but this expansion often puts a strain on local resources and the environment. What are the negative impacts of mass tourism in some regions, and what measures can be taken to ensure sustainable and responsible tourism practices?

Nowadays, the tourism industry around the globe has been growing in a remarkable pace, along with more accesible ways for traveling and the increasing influence of social media on promoting a wide variety of activities and destinations. Therefore, we must not take for granted the astonishing importance of this sector in the country’s economy. However, this growth doesn’t occurr without consequences; it brings into the debate the environmental and gentrification impacts to the locals. It is our duty to find a balance as society to guarantee the preservation while keeping the benefits of touristic activites, rethink how to develop a sustainable travelling industry.

From an economical perspective (maybe simplistic), one might think that increasing tourism is not flawless: it not only generates more jobs to that industry, but rather into the complete local market. This means bringing external currencies and increasing the demand of consumer products into the location. Nevertheless, it has been seen in touristic cities such as barcelona or Mexico Capital City that the living cost also rise due to the higher demand. This is explained by the well known phenomena “gentrification”, one of the most studied arguments against tourism; when there is an increase of demand of living places in the touristic place, the living cost is going to rise, usually while the income of the local people increase at the same pace.

This can be explained somehow because governments tend to prioritize the foreign investment rather than trying to develop policies that keep this incomes for the locals. Furthermore, investment in housing can be also be in detrimental of the natural enviroments, just trying to follow the pace the touristic demand. There are several other impacts that can be analyzed as well such as the commercialization of the local culture, or the garbage production as result of this travelling activity.

Beyond all of this, we need to remember the initial aim of tourism. People need to know different places, go out of their daily schedule and enjoy life. Perhaps, this requires to think outside of the box for a moment, and develop new ways of doing tourism while preserving the way of life for the local people.