Factors Influence Tourism and the Environment

(500 Words)
Tourism can have a great impact on the environment, and unfortunately, many times this is a negative impact. It is important for everyone involved in the tourism industry, from those who work at tourism companies to the tourists themselves be aware of this impact. Proper practices can lower the negative impact and help the environment and the animals that make it their home.
One major way that tourism affects the environment is by the turning of natural areas into buildings and places related to tourism. For instance, a great deal of forest and other natural areas might be cleared for a theme part. This can affect the environment in that these natural areas are lost, oftentimes with the wildlife that used to call it their home. These animals simply cannot survive when their homes disappear. They may move or they may die out. Their food and homes will be gone. Depending on the type of land it is and the animals that make it their home, this can have a greater or smaller effect. It can also affect neighboring areas. Animals are often connected and when one type dies out it can affect other types. For instance the food for one animal can cause them to encroach upon the areas of other wildlife that do not mix well.
Pollution plays a very large negative role in the environment, and tourism contributes greatly to this. Waste and other pollution from the companies seep into the air, water and ground, hurting both the environment and its wild animals. These may come from tourists littering or otherwise leaving waste in natural areas or from companies that produce garbage and other things that can negatively impact the environment. This can lead far past the place where the tourists actually come. Pollution can spread wide and far and can affect a very large area.
There are times when tourism can have some positive benefit. In some cases people do eco-tourism. They may try to visit at areas without having a negative impact. Sometimes they spread information about areas where bad things are occurring or where help is needed. They may provide the world with information that can actually help these areas. They may capture beautiful photographs or find out about the wonders of the world without leaving anything negative behind. People might become activists after learning about problems and may take steps to try to rectify them. They may uncover things that companies or other irresponsible parties are doing that can compromise the environment and take steps to lobby governments or work with people to make them better.
There are many different affects that tourism can have on the environment. Although it is possible for it to be good, it can be very negative. It is important for every company involved in tourism and the tourists themselves to be responsible so that the outcome can be as positive as possible. This will lead to the best results for everyone, saving the environment and its animals.