Band 5+: Tourism has increased so much over the last 50 years that it is having a mainly negetive impact on local inhabitants and the environment. However, others claim that it is good for the economy. disciuss the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and give your own opinion.

Tourism is one of the most popular entertainment of today’s society. This form of entertainment has developed over the 50 years and has become a topic of debate: some people think that it has a big impact for local inhabitants, while others believe in good effect for the economy. In my opinion, there are a lot of not only advantages, but also disadvantages of tourism.

To start with significant impact of tourism for the economy. First of all, in touristic countries new work places are created: hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, transport companies need employees, that decreases unemployment rate. For instance, in many countries with a high number of tourists, such as Spain, France and Italy, million people work in this sector. I think, in addition , tourism helps to improve infrastructure. The development of roads, building new hotels, restorations of monuments attract new visitors and improve quality of life locals. Moreover, tourism promotes cultural exchange, and locals can take experience from tourists, that also can have positive impact on economy. After all, if less developed countries know more about life in rich countries, they will know methods of increasing quality of life .

Despite these economic benefits, huge numbers of tourists can destroy lifestyles of local inhabitants, it’s due to the fact that cultural exchange for a long period can transform some traditions. There are some examples of changing cultures in touristic countries, for example, in Goa, there are restaurants, where we can eat beef, when in India cow is a sacred animal and people must not cook and eat it. I think, that it destroys Indian culture. In addition, some countries face overpopulation, increasing prices on food and housing and also pollution because of tourism. Some tourists are careless about the environment, that can worsen nature and demolish monuments, that we can see in Peru and Brazil.

Tourism is a great opportunity for countries to develop , but there are some risks of losing individuality and deterioration of life of locals. Countries should have strict rules to protect their environment, lifestyle and culture.