Tourism in an LEDC Is Likely To Generate As Many Costs as Benefits - Discuss This View With Reference To Areas You Have Studied.

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Tourism in an LEDC Is Likely To Generate As Many Costs as Benefits –

Discuss This View With Reference To Areas You Have Studied.

Tourists flock to destinations for two main reasons, to see either primary or secondary resources. Primary resources are sites and places that where not built for the sole use of tourism, this also includes natural features such as beaches and places of outstanding natural beauty.  Secondary resources are any features that pull tourists into a country and where built with that aim, for instance theme parks and attractions (these are more common in Developed Countries due to the large capital required to build them). Tourism is now the worlds biggest industry, one in which every country in the world wants to play a part in. unfortunately larger more developed countries have the upper hand due to large amounts of capital that can be invested to create secondary resources and improve access to primary resources. Less economically developed countries now wish to become a large part of this industry and therefore improve there economy. In recent years many previously unused areas have become tourist honey pots either due to there spectacular scenery and culture or due to relaxed government legislation. In this essay I will show both benefits and costs that can come from tourism in Ledc’s using a wide variety of examples and techniques. My aim is to prove that tourism has as many drawbacks as benefits and cannot be solely relied upon for economic stability.

Kenya is well known world wide for its extensive nature/game reserves, these spectacular natural features come under many threats, hunting, agriculture and tourism all take there toll on the fragile environment. Tourism in Kenya is a $600,000,000 industry and supports over 175,000 jobs.  This is Kenya’s largest source of income. The tourist industry thrives in Kenya, large amounts of visitors come to see the reserves, relax on the white sandy beaches and swim amongst the coral.  50% of Kenya’s population is below the poverty line, and with 75% of the population based in agriculture it is easy to see why. The tourist industry although it only employs a small percentage of the population provides the largest income.  Since the early 1980’s tourist developments have shot up all over the coast in Kenya, supporting tourists who wish to spend there holiday on the beach then travel to see the reserves such as the Masai Mara as a series of day trips. Although this may seem a positive factor it is Infact a negative factor. This style of package tourist does not give a lot to the Kenyan economy, most trips and hotels are owned by large foreign investors and as such large amounts of leakage occur. This has a detrimental effect on the economy, we use the natural features of Kenya and in many cases destroy them but we do not pay any significant amount to the people for use of there land or services.

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Another negative impact is that of cultural change (cultural dilution), this can be seen from two angles, firstly by western visitors visiting the poor areas with ancient histories we unknowingly adapt there views and aims within society towards more western styles of living instead of standards that are unrealistic at the current time. The second view is that by showing them are way of life we both learn ways in which are cultures are different and both parties can adapt and learn from mistakes made one and another. The question is should we try to halt progress in these ...

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