Unit 13 - Essays - Tourism Flashcards
(8 cards)
How far do you agree that the life cycle model of tourism is useful for all types of tourism?
Paragraph 1: Strengths of the model
Predicts typical tourism evolution stages: exploration to decline/rejuvenation.
Jamaica followed this pattern in places like Montego Bay (exploration → stagnation).
Helps governments plan for sustainability and rejuvenation.
Paragraph 2: Applicability to mass tourism
Very effective for mass tourism in coastal resorts (e.g. Ocho Rios, Negril).
Captures decline due to overcrowding, environmental damage, and overdevelopment.
Paragraph 3: Limitations with niche tourism
Community tourism and eco-tourism (e.g. Treasure Beach, Blue Mountains) don’t always follow the model.
Some regions never fully develop (e.g. Port Antonio) yet remain sustainable.
Paragraph 4: Overlooks external shocks
COVID-19, climate change, hurricanes disrupted tourism outside of the model stages.
These shocks affect all stages unpredictably.
Paragraph 5: Assumes uniform development
Doesn’t reflect how different areas within a country can be at different stages simultaneously.
Doesn’t fully explain economic dependency or resilience differences.
Conclusion:
The model is useful for understanding mass tourism development, but not universally applicable. It lacks flexibility for eco-tourism, community tourism, or destinations affected by global shocks.
To what extent does the carrying capacity of a tourist destination(s) limit the tourism multiplier effect?
Paragraph 1: Definition and benefits of tourism multiplier effect
Tourism generates direct and indirect jobs (e.g. in Jamaica: transport, agriculture, entertainment).
Ideally spreads income through local communities.
Paragraph 2: Physical and environmental limits
Montego Bay, Negril exceeded carrying capacity → coral reef damage, beach overcrowding, water shortages.
Environmental degradation reduces tourist satisfaction and future income potential.
Paragraph 3: Social carrying capacity
Crime, cultural tensions, overcrowding diminish local support for tourism.
Reduced community involvement weakens sustainability and economic benefits.
Paragraph 4: Economic leakage undermines multiplier effect
Foreign-owned resorts and cruise ships extract profits from local economy.
All-inclusive tourists spend little in local businesses.
Paragraph 5: Variation by tourism type
Eco-tourism in Treasure Beach and Blue Mountains has low environmental impact and high local retention of income.
More sustainable tourism can preserve carrying capacity and enhance multiplier effects.
Conclusion:
Carrying capacity significantly limits the tourism multiplier effect, especially in overdeveloped resort zones. Sustainable and community-based tourism helps maintain carrying capacity and maximise benefits.
With the aid of one or more examples, how far do you agree that ecotourism is not as sustainable as it aims to be? [20]
Paragraph 1: Aims and successes of eco-tourism
Promotes conservation, local economic development, and environmental awareness.
Examples: Blue Mountains (conservation funding), Treasure Beach (community income).
Paragraph 2: Limited scale and reach
Still a small share of Jamaica’s tourism—most visitors go to mass resorts.
Minimal impact on national economy; benefits concentrated in few rural areas.
Paragraph 3: Greenwashing and lack of regulation
Some businesses claim to be eco-friendly without sustainable practices.
Poor monitoring weakens credibility and impact.
Paragraph 4: Accessibility and infrastructure issues
Remote eco-tourism sites often lack roads, transport, or signage (e.g. Cockpit Country).
Limits visitor numbers and repeat visits.
Paragraph 5: Economic fragility
Niche market vulnerable to global shocks (e.g. COVID-19 collapse).
Operators often lack financial buffers or state support.
Conclusion:
While eco-tourism has real sustainability goals, practical challenges and small-scale implementation mean it often falls short. It’s more sustainable than mass tourism but still needs stronger regulation, investment, and integration.
To what extent have recent developments in different types of tourism caused tourist destinations to experience decline?
Paragraph 1: Mass tourism and overdevelopment
North coast resorts (e.g. Montego Bay) faced stagnation: overcrowding, coral reef loss, crime.
Infrastructure pressure reduced tourist satisfaction and local benefits.
Paragraph 2: Cruise tourism and economic leakage
Cruise arrivals generate limited local income; tourists spend little inland.
Local businesses and economies receive minimal benefit.
Paragraph 3: Impact of external developments (COVID-19, climate change)
Pandemic halted tourism—mass closures, unemployment, especially in resort zones.
Climate threats (e.g. hurricanes, coral bleaching) degrade tourism resources.
Paragraph 4: Rise of eco and community tourism
Inland areas like Blue Mountains and Treasure Beach saw small-scale rejuvenation.
Spreads tourism income and reduces dependence on coastal resorts.
Paragraph 5: Digital and global trend changes
Tourists seeking ‘authentic’ experiences avoid overdeveloped areas.
Mass tourism zones risk long-term decline without adaptation.
Conclusion:
Recent developments, especially in mass and cruise tourism, have led to stagnation or decline in traditional resort areas. Growth in eco and community tourism offers potential for more sustainable futures if supported effectively.
For one tourist area or resort, evaluate the impacts of tourism on its society.
Paragraph 1: Job creation and service improvement
Tourism provides direct and indirect employment (hotels, guides, transport).
Infrastructure development (e.g. roads, hospitals) also benefits locals.
Paragraph 2: Cultural exchange and global visibility
Tourists engage with Jamaican music, food, and history (e.g. Bob Marley Museum).
Builds national pride and cultural appreciation.
Paragraph 3: Cultural erosion and commodification
Traditional customs adapted or staged for tourists (loss of authenticity).
Cultural dilution due to influence of global consumer trends.
Paragraph 4: Inequality and exclusion
Visible wealth gap between luxury resorts (e.g. Rose Hall) and local communities.
Locals may feel excluded from benefits of all-inclusive tourism.
Paragraph 5: Crime and social tension
Increase in petty crime and drug-related incidents in urban centres.
Tourism enclaves can heighten social divides.
Conclusion:
Tourism brings both positive and negative social impacts in Jamaica. While it creates jobs and cultural exchange, it also reinforces inequality and erodes local traditions without inclusive planning.
For one tourist area or resort, evaluate the impacts of tourism on its environment.
Paragraph 1: Coral reef and marine ecosystem damage
Pollution from cruise ships, anchoring, and snorkelling → coral bleaching.
Negril and Montego Bay heavily affected.
Paragraph 2: Beach erosion and coastal development
Resorts remove natural vegetation and disrupt sediment flow.
Leads to accelerated erosion and loss of beaches.
Paragraph 3: Water and resource overuse
Large resorts and golf courses consume high volumes of freshwater.
Water shortages in peak tourist areas impact local supply.
Paragraph 4: Waste and pollution
Inadequate waste treatment → sewage discharged into marine systems.
Plastic and litter problems on popular beaches.
Paragraph 5: Positive impacts from eco-tourism
Conservation efforts in Blue and John Crow Mountains funded by visitors.
Sustainable farming, birdwatching, and hiking reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion:
Mass tourism severely degrades Jamaica’s environment, but eco-tourism offers a more sustainable alternative. However, its scale is currently too small to reverse national trends.
Evaluate the impacts of tourism on the local economy of one or more tourist destinations.
Paragraph 1: Foreign exchange and GDP contribution
Tourism provides over 20% of Jamaica’s GDP.
Major source of foreign currency and economic growth.
Paragraph 2: Employment opportunities
30% of workforce employed directly or indirectly in tourism.
Boost to sectors like agriculture, transport, and retail (multiplier effect).
Paragraph 3: Infrastructure development
Investment in airports, roads, and ports benefits tourism and trade.
Improved mobility and services support wider economic activity.
Paragraph 4: Economic leakage
High leakage due to foreign-owned resorts and cruise lines.
Limited benefit to local businesses in all-inclusive zones.
Paragraph 5: Overdependence and vulnerability
Reliance on tourism makes economy sensitive to shocks (e.g. COVID-19).
Disasters and climate events can rapidly reduce income and jobs.
Conclusion:
Tourism significantly boosts Jamaica’s economy but is undermined by leakage and overdependence. Diversification and local empowerment are needed for long-term resilience.
To what extent do you agree that trends in international tourism are caused by political factors?
Paragraph 1: Political stability and safety
Conflict reduces tourism (e.g. Egypt, Sri Lanka during unrest).
Peace promotes recovery (e.g. Sri Lanka post-conflict surge).
Paragraph 2: Government policy and promotion
National branding, marketing, and visa policies attract tourists (e.g. Dubai, Qatar).
Jamaica promoted eco-tourism and community tourism for diversification.
Paragraph 3: Economic and technological drivers
Budget airlines, online booking platforms, and rising middle class drive growth.
Cheaper, easier access explains tourism growth beyond political influence.
Paragraph 4: Global events and shocks
COVID-19 travel bans, war, and terrorism massively alter tourism flows.
External events often outweigh political factors at destination level.
Paragraph 5: Social and environmental trends
Climate change awareness, ‘flight shaming’, and sustainable tourism shift preferences.
Political action on climate affects tourism indirectly (e.g. carbon taxes).
Conclusion:
Political factors shape tourism trends, particularly through conflict or policy, but economic, technological, and environmental influences are equally significant. It is a multi-factorial issue.
