BML 111
Student Number: 0904366
Islands and the Environmental Impacts of Tourism Tourism and the changes of the environment. The growth of tourism globally in the last few decades has been argued to have many impacts, including those concerning the environment. Page and Connell (2006: 374) state that, ‘the growth of tourism has promoted debate about environmental consequences’ and that ‘in many locations, tourism development has taken place with little regard for the natural environment’ Page and Connell (2006: 373). Why concentrate on islands in particular? Although tourism can have environmental impacts globally, the impacts are more evident on islands, ‘as island ecosystems are characterised by limited space and species, the impacts are very obvious’ (Page, 2007: 404). Islands are also of particular interest in terms of environmental impacts of tourism because island communities are searching for alternative types of tourism to avoid the, ‘growing disenchantment with crowding and ecosystem degradation,’ (Smith and Eadington, 1992, as cited in Conlin and Baum, 1995: 23) to adhere to, ‘world-wide environmentalists who call for sustainable development’ (de Kadt, 1992, as cited in Conlin and Baum, 1995: 23) and because there is, ‘an increasing demand among select vacationers for pristine natural experiences’ (Johnson, 1990, as cited in Conlin and Baum, 1995: 23). The Environmental Impacts. Page and Connell (2006: 374) identify that tourism and the environment have a symbiotic relationship, meaning that ‘each is dependent on the other for maintaining a balance’ because, ‘without tourism, environmental conservation can be at risk and without an attractive environment, tourism cannot succeed.’ This is especially true of islands as, ‘tourism is normally based on the island’s natural attractions (often being remote, attractive scenery and wildlife)’ (Macleod, 2004: 14). There are many environmental impacts which can be caused by tourism on an island and some of the more common positive and negative ones are illustrated below. Protection of wildlife
Pollution
Conservation
The Environmental Impacts of tourism on Islands
Loss of natural habitat
Enhancement of the local environment
Geographical spread of disease
Inappropriate development