Social Impacts
- Over the last 50 years mass tourism has expanded into a major global industry, which is still growing
- An estimated 900 million people become international tourists every year (pre pandemic)
- The main reasons for the rise in tourism is due to:
- Improved pay and leave allowances - most workers now work less than 40 hours a week and have paid annual leave
- Improved disposable incomes - normally both partners work, and this increases incoming money to the household
- It is easier than ever to cross borders with agreements between countries
- Transport is faster and cheaper than in the past
- Communication - internet, social media etc. bring awareness of foreign destinations, booking of last-minute holidays etc.
- Mass tourism has both positive and negative impacts on people, the economy and the environment
Impacts of Global Tourism on People
| Positive Impacts | Negative Impacts |
| Can help revive local skills and handicrafts | Loss of locally owned land |
| Cultural tourism values people's heritage | Tourist's behaviour can offend local people (drinking etc.) |
| Brings people together from all over the world | Tourist centres encourage crime, prostitution etc. |
| Can spread the range of social facilities for local people | Displacement of people |
| Major international events (Olympics) can have a positive effect locally and nationally - improved infrastructure etc. | Abuse of human rights |
| Develops foreign language skills | Can erode local language and traditional values |
| Ancient sites are brought to global attention helping to appreciate historical legacies | Loss of access to local sites - beaches, forests etc |
| Might encourage migration to major tourist-generating countries | Visitor congestion at key locations |
