Tourism Development: Lifecycle, Impacts, and Attitudes

Stages of Tourism Development

Exploration: Tourism is limited, and the social and economic benefits are small. Tourist attractions are likely to be focused on nature or culture.

Involvement: This marks the beginning of tourism development. Governments may be under pressure to develop transport infrastructure and community resources.

Development: New roads, train stations, and airports may be built. New tourist attractions may emerge, and hotels and hospitality provisions will be put in place.

Consolidation: Tourism growth slows to keep tourist products and services exclusive.

Stagnation: A decline in tourism begins; numbers may have reached their peak, and carrying capacities may be met.

Rejuvenation or Decline: These are possible outcomes for destinations along the spectrum. The result depends upon the plans and actions of the stakeholders involved in the tourism development project.

Resident Attitudes: Doxey's Irritation Index

1. Euphoria: The population of the destination might feel euphoric at the prospect of tourism in the area. This is associated with the initial development of the destination.
2. Apathy: While still positive, more formal contact with tourists starts to develop. Residents begin to see these tourists as a source of both income and investment.
3. Irritation: A negative emotion where residents see the downsides of tourism, such as overcrowding, traffic, littering, and investment diverted to tourist amenities.
4. Antagonism: Residents express their irritation in different ways, and tourists are seen as the primary cause of local problems.

Economic Impacts of Tourism

Positive Economic Effects

• Contributes to income and the standard of living.
• Improves the local economy and creates job opportunities and new businesses.
• Stimulates entrepreneurial activity and local business growth directly and indirectly.
• Increases tax revenues and improves public services.
• Diversifies livelihoods and stimulates skills development.

Negative Economic Effects

• Increases the price of goods, services, land, and housing.
• Seasonal tourism creates high risk and unemployment issues.
• Creates limited, seasonal, or unskilled employment opportunities with a lack of access to training.
• Encourages dominance by multinational companies or local power-brokers.

Environmental Impacts of Tourism

Positive Environmental Effects

• Preserves historic buildings and monuments.
• Improves the appearance of local areas.
• Protects selected natural areas.

Negative Environmental Effects

• Increases pollution levels.
• Loss of natural landscapes and agricultural lands to tourism development.
• Loss of open spaces and the destruction of flora and fauna.

Social and Cultural Impacts

Positive Social and Cultural Effects

• Improves the overall quality of life.
• Promotes cultural exchange and facilitates meeting visitors.
• Increases demand for historical and cultural exhibits.

Negative Social and Cultural Effects

• Negative changes in local values and customs.
• Language and cultural erosion.
• Exclusion of locals from natural resources and social tension between hosts and investors.