Some people in the communities that I go to ask me why tourism is often associated with social problems – poverty, drug trafficking, prostitution, begging and all sorts of serious crimes. In the course of my work as a tourism planner I have met people who have openly expressed their fear of tourism because of the possibility that they may end up like the other destinations that developed before them. My thought is that they have every reason to be afraid, especially in the Philippines where tourism planning is not a priority. Here are some reasons why tourism has the potential to result to social problems.
1. An industry that merely focuses on economic gain has the tendency to pump up demand even for places that are not ready to accept visitors. An attraction such as a waterfall, a coral reef, mangrove forest or a lake are merely base products from where experiences or tourism products may be created. Product development involves identifying potential activities, infrastructure requirement, potential income streams for the communities in the area, and identifying possible enhancements, as well as establishing standards of service. Merely promoting a base product makes the attraction and the communities vulnerable to impacts of uncontrolled influx of tourists. Such situation leads to frenzy, as local people start venturing in all sorts of businesses without proper standards and guidelines. These places develop based on people's limited knowledge and experience. Frenzy leads to jealousy, unhealthy competition and even greed.
2. Unplanned tourism is merely steered by market forces and the main goal is to earn money, lots of money. This mindset blinds people from the fact that uncontrolled development occurs at a huge cost. When the industry is allowed to merely happen to a place, no safety nets are established. Both the environment and the local culture are sacrificed in behalf of profit. Income is also equated with large volumes of tourists. Hence, tourist traffic is often not controlled.
3. When a local industry is dominated by private businesses, and there is no conscious effort to get the marginalized sector of the community on board, the disparity between the rich and the poor becomes more apparent. Poor people become desperate and are pushed to commit crimes. Some become victims of human trafficking and other illegal activities. Often, old people and very young children end up begging in the streets.
4. A place that is undergoing development frenzy will not only attract tourists. Such places also become attractive to criminals and syndicates whose intention is to victimize tourists and locals. In most cases children and women become their first victims.
5. Without proper planning, a local tourism industry creates an illusion of greatness. This occurs when development focuses only on the physical aspect. The number of resorts and hotels, level of infrastructure and the volume of tourist traffic do not provide a complete picture of the status of the industry. Other indicators should be taken into consideration when measuring level of success. They include, among others, environmental integrity, economic benefit to the marginalized community, protection of women and children and crime rates. Social infrastructure is just as important as physical infrastructure.
Proper planning is essential to strategically prevent social and environmental impacts of tourism development.
Proper planning is essential to strategically prevent social and environmental impacts of tourism development.
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http://www.suievents.com/philippine-ecotourism-101.html