Is tourism a double edged sword?

In addition, it allows the tourist a chance to experience other cultures, which broadens understanding. The tourism is a great way for people to learn more and improve knowledge about culture of other countries and nations.

On the other hand tourism industry has a lot’s of disadvantages. Tourism brings lot’s of social problems. Tourism in certain areas can destroy the culture of the tourist location, old traditions may be lost or certain skills may be forgotten due to modernization, for example, residents forgetting how to farm. Noise from traffic can disturb local people, destroying their peace, calm and quiet.

Economic problems also come with tourism. For example in some popular location, tourism raises the prices to something which local people can’t afford. The exclusivity of the location can raise the prices of standard day to day products. Also tourism can raise prices on real estates. The tourists require extra traffic, which slow down normal traffic in some areas, this can affect the delivery of products in some areas. In some places there are seasonal workers required. These usually come from outside of the tourism area so the money what is earned by this worker is taken away and this is causing money lost of society.

The disadvantage of tourism is that it can ruin the environment. Tourists are  increasing the amount of pollution in many places. For example in recent years traffic in the Himalayan Region has increased drastically, in large part due to the desire if increased numbers of climbers to ascend Mount Everest. Climbers leaves their trash everywhere, at different altitudes. Garbage on the mountain includes climbing equipment, foods, plastics etc.

All things considered it can be said that the tourism is a double edged sword. Tourism like everything have it’s own advantages and disadvantages. I think if human will learn to treat everything right with  understanding, respect and without harm for something it’ll be great breakthrough.