Case Study: An Overpopulated Country - Bangladesh

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Explain the need for alternative forms of tourism and discuss its advantages and disadvantages

Alternative forms of tourism generally refer to any form of tourism not related to that of mass tourism, of which in other words, it is the counter-part of mass tourism. It is a general concept and does not have a precise definition. Alternative tourism contrasts markedly with mass tourism in terms of scale, organisation, type of tourist and speed of development. In alternative tourism, small numbers of individual travelers are catered for often by independent specialist operators or by local communities. The development of this form of tourism is small scale, often using locally provided accommodation. Tourists involved in alternative tourism usually seek novelty and experience that are different from that provided by mass tourism, for instance some tourists seek alternative forms of tourism to avoid the crowds associated with mass tourism. Examples of alternative forms of tourism include nature tourism and eco-tourism. 

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The need for alternative tourism can be summed up as follows. Some travellers are getting bored and dissatisfied with traditional mass tourism destinations, and hope to seek out unique, pristine destinations. Also, the growth of global environmental awareness and the conservation movement increases travellers’ awareness of problems associated with mass tourism. Increasingly, destination populations and governments are increasingly aware of the dangers arising from the negative impacts of tourism. Lastly, there is increased acceptance by tour operators of changing demands, attitudes and the need for greater environmental awareness.

Alternative forms of tourism have both its positive and negative impacts. Looking ...

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