Many developing countries are currently expanding their tourism industries. Why is this the case? Is it a positive development?

These days, many poorer countries are focusing their efforts on developing and promoting their

tourism

industries. There are some reasons for

this

, and I believe

this

can be a positive development, despite the numerous drawbacks that can arise. Personally, I believe that the primary reason for developing

tourism

in a country is due to the economic benefits that it brings. A well-developed

tourism

industry creates a lot of new businesses and jobs for local people, and an influx of money from foreign tourists.

In addition

to

this

, promoting international

tourism

can help to improve international relations with other countries, and to share a country’s customs and culture with people all around the world. Many people these days are interested in learning about different cultures and ways of living, and

tourism

helps to facilitate

this

experience.

However

, there are a number of drawbacks that arise from the expansion of a country’s

tourism

industry.

For example

, in many countries in South East Asia,

tourism

has been a major cause of environmental pollution and destruction.

For example

, most tourists generally drink bottled water when on holiday, and

this

creates mountains of plastic waste every year.(1) Many developing countries do not have appropriate recycling facilities and do not know how to deal with the waste, and

therefore

, it commonly ends up littered throughout the countryside, rivers, seas, beaches and oceans.

Furthermore

, the invasion of tourists into certain places can disrupt the local wildlife and ecosystems, causing

further

environmental damage.(2) In conclusion, I would have to say that expanding the

tourism

industry in a country is a positive development if it is properly managed, and the environmental and cultural impacts are closely monitored and minimised.