Tourism drives the economy of many countries. For instance, the money from tourism often improves the roads and electrical grid. Other upgrades include more interesting food, better medical options and funding for national parks.
The negatives include pollution from septic systems at beaches, (which is a world wide problem) and strains on the infrastructure during the high season.
Another disadvantage of tourism is a larger carbon footprint (A 2500 mile round trip can easily exceed 2.5 metric tons of CO2, which is the amount of a sustainable per capita budget for one year.) and air pollution that is drying out the planet and threatening plants and animal habitats, increased use of drugs in heavily touristed towns and cartel violence in those places.
The most reasonable approach is a compromise-fewer trips but the ones you take are of longer duration.
Frequent one way trips aren’t helpful. But an occasional 2-3 week vacation to another country potentially does less harm to the environment and can provide the kind of economy that sustains many local people.
Also, by touring national parks and supporting their preservation efforts, you are ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the wonders of nature.
That’s beautiful!
This post first caught my eye as that's my husband's favourite Piazza in Firenze (and our favourite hot chocolate place is located there too).
Thanks, you have given some good food for thought.
There are positives and negatives to travel.
Tourism drives the economy of many countries. For instance, the money from tourism often improves the roads and electrical grid. Other upgrades include more interesting food, better medical options and funding for national parks.
The negatives include pollution from septic systems at beaches, (which is a world wide problem) and strains on the infrastructure during the high season.
Another disadvantage of tourism is a larger carbon footprint (A 2500 mile round trip can easily exceed 2.5 metric tons of CO2, which is the amount of a sustainable per capita budget for one year.) and air pollution that is drying out the planet and threatening plants and animal habitats, increased use of drugs in heavily touristed towns and cartel violence in those places.
The most reasonable approach is a compromise-fewer trips but the ones you take are of longer duration.
Frequent one way trips aren’t helpful. But an occasional 2-3 week vacation to another country potentially does less harm to the environment and can provide the kind of economy that sustains many local people.
Also, by touring national parks and supporting their preservation efforts, you are ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the wonders of nature.