ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MASS TOURISM

Over the last fifteen years, tourism has certainly become one of the most important, complex and fastest- growing industry in the world. Tourism can be considered  a very important source of income for all countries (but especially for the developing countries) and it is clear that the number of tourists is growing more and more every year. 

As a matter of fact, today,  people travel more than in the past: they travel on business but also for vacation. More and more people can afford to go on holiday. This is due to several factors such as paid holidays, cheaper package holidays, low cost flight, internet booking, but also longer life expectancy and efficient telecommunications.

The rapid growth of mass tourism has both advantages and disadvantages. It surely has great positive effects on our society but we must take into account also its negative impact.

On one hand it promotes economic growth. For example, the growing number of visitors bring money into the area and it contributes to create investments, infrastructure development and new jobs.

On the other hand,  inevitably, mass tourism brings many disadvantages.

Sites become overcrowded and this endangers the environment, it causes pollution, traffic congestion, water waste, high prices, poorly planned building development. For example, coastal settlements discharge waste into the see, spoiling the attractiveness of beautiful seaside sites.

That is why it is very important to make our best to promote sustainable and responsible tourism. We all must protect the environment and sustain local sites and cultures, for the benefit of local people and future tourists.

Sustainable plans include Ecotourism which trains local authorities and guides to respect their environment and to avoid honeyspot sites. It is important to direct tourists to a variety of locations so that many places can be positively involved and no place is taken of assault