Cambridge Syllabus Notes

3. Economic Development – Tourism

3.4 Tourism: Evaluate the impacts of tourism and strategies for sustainable development

🌍 Tourism is a major driver of economic development. Think of it as a garden that can bring beautiful flowers (benefits) but also weeds (negative impacts) if not tended carefully. In this section we will explore the positive and negative impacts of tourism, and look at strategies for sustainable development that keep the garden thriving for the long term.

Positive Impacts of Tourism

💰 Economic growth – tourism generates revenue for local businesses and national economies. For example, the Maldives receives over $2 billion in tourism receipts annually.
📈 Employment – creates jobs in hospitality, transport, and cultural services. In Kenya, tourism accounts for ~5 % of the national GDP and employs 1.5 million people.
🌱 Infrastructure development – improved roads, airports, and utilities benefit both visitors and residents.
🤝 Cross‑cultural exchange – promotes understanding and tolerance between different cultures.

Negative Impacts of Tourism

🚫 Environmental degradation – over‑use of natural resources, pollution, and habitat loss. The Great Barrier Reef suffers from coral bleaching partly due to tourist boat traffic.
📉 Economic leakage – profits often leave the local economy when foreign-owned hotels dominate. In many Caribbean islands, only 30 % of tourism revenue stays locally.
🏙️ Urban congestion – influx of visitors can overwhelm transport and public services.
🏚️ Social disruption – rising property prices can displace local communities.

Strategies for Sustainable Development

🌿 Eco‑tourism – promote low‑impact activities such as wildlife watching and cultural tours. Example: Costa Rica’s national parks charge entrance fees that fund conservation.
🏗️ Community‑based tourism – involve local residents in decision‑making and profit sharing. In Bhutan, tourism is capped and revenue is reinvested in social services.
📊 Carrying capacity limits – set maximum visitor numbers to avoid over‑crowding. The Galápagos Islands limit daily arrivals to protect fragile ecosystems.
🔄 Revenue recycling – use tourism taxes to fund infrastructure and environmental protection. Singapore’s “Tourism Development Fund” finances public transport upgrades.
📚 Education & awareness – train guides and inform tourists about responsible behaviour. In Iceland, visitors receive a “Leave No Trace” guide.

Exam Tips for 3.4 Tourism

1️⃣ Structure your answer – start with a brief definition, then list impacts, followed by strategies, and finish with a balanced conclusion. Use topic sentences for each paragraph.

2️⃣ Use real examples – name at least two countries or regions (e.g., Maldives, Costa Rica, Galápagos) to illustrate points. This shows you can apply theory to practice.

3️⃣ Show evaluation – compare positive vs negative impacts and assess which strategy best addresses the main problems. Use words like effectively mitigates, fails to address, balances.

4️⃣ Use diagrams or tables – a simple table of tourism revenue vs local employment can support your arguments. Keep it clear and labelled.

5️⃣ Keep it concise – aim for 150–200 words. Use bullet points only if the question allows.

Country	Tourism Revenue (USD bn)	% of GDP	Tourism Employment (in 10⁶)
Maldives	2.1	13 %	0.2
Costa Rica	3.5	7 %	0.4
Galápagos Islands	0.4	2 %	0.05

Remember: Tourism can be a powerful engine for development, but only if managed wisely. Think of it as tending a garden – the right balance of care, limits, and community involvement keeps the ecosystem healthy and the economy thriving. 🌱🌞

3.4 Tourism: Evaluate the impacts of tourism and strategies for sustainable development.