Tourism is a modern form of colonialism. It distorts local economies, causes environmental damage and ruins the places it exploits. To what extent would you support or reject this idea?
The attitudes towards tourism being a form of imperialism are ambivalent; there are sections that affirm that this sector is bringing several accolades for the nation, while others feel it is engendering environmental issues. In this essay, I shall elucidate my stance on this matter by deliberating upon the various aspects of this industry.
At the outset, those rallying behind this notion base their rationale on the fact that tourism brings forth people from diverse cultures and ethnicities together, empowering harmony between disparate communities, and promulgating bonhomie. Moreover, in order to cater to the growing need of the industry, many professions have been founded, especially in the hospitality and transportation sector . This has seen multifold increment in the employment opportunities for the masses and bringing colossal revenue owing to the tourist developments leading to generating monetary benefits.
However, the opponents might argue that tourism leads to expanding carbon footprint and tourists act in an irresponsible manner by creating a menace by littering around and defacing places.Nevertheless, this underlying notion can be challenged as the benefits reaped from this industry are umpteen: Owing to this, invaluable foreign exchange is being generated leading to reforming economies. More and more tourist destinations are being developed, making people aware and proud of their own cultural heritage.
Therefore, it can be asserted that this industry has witnessed an unprecedented influx of tourists in the contemporary times and aids in fetching unmatched yields such as facilitating cultural exchange, development of infrastructure, and generating sumptuous revenue.
