Positive Impacts Of Tourism Research

Most studies on economic impacts of tourism have dwelled on the positive side and slightly giving a blind eye on the negative imperatives (Andereck, Valentine, Knopf & Vogt, 2005:2). Tourism is widely perceived as a potential economic base, it provides elements that may improve quality of life such as employment opportunities, tax revenues, economic diversity, festivals, restaurants, natural and cultural attractions,and outdoor recreation opportunities. Arguably, tourism is the second largest industry in the world; estimates from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) suggest that it generates around 200 million jobs worldwide and accounts for10% of global GDP (WTTC, 2013).

Tourism is a consumption-based industry and cannot be wholly

The tourist spent is thereby used for expansion and growth of businesses, hence the growth of the local economy.

In trying to explain the impacts of tourism in economic terms, Kreag (2001:6) highlighted positive and negative impacts. According to Kreag (2001:6) tourism increases employment opportunities, although it is argued that most of these jobs are low paying and seasonal. Swarbrooke (2002:25) is also of the vie w that most tourism jobs are part-time due to the seasonality nature of the industry. This necessitate for effective planning to promote tourism during the low season. Weed (2008:498) suggested hosting of many events, extensive marketing, and strategic pricing as ways to boost tourism during the shoulder season.

As tourism grows, additional opportunities are created for investment, development, and infrastructure spending (Kreag, 2001:7). Tourism often encourages improvements in public utilities such as water, sewer, sidewalks, lighting, parking, public toilets, waste control, and landscaping (Frost &

Socio-cultural impacts are concerned with the “ways in which tourism is contributing to changes in value systems, individual behavior, family relationships, collective lifestyles, moral conduct, creative expressions, traditional ceremonies and community organization” (Pizam & Milman, 1984, cited in Haralambopoulos & Pizam, 1996, p.503).

Socio-cultural aspects within a destination may be positively affected through increased tourism (Table, 3). Research (Ap & Crompton, 1998; Easterl ing, 2004) suggests that tourism brings an increased understanding of other cultures, and strengthens the cultural identity of the host destination and increases community pride. Furthermore, tourism development increases and promotes cultural exchange between tourists and residents. For example, the majority of Hawaiian residents agreed that tourism development promoted “cultural exchange giving [residents] better understanding of the world” (Liu & Var, 1986, p. 201). Tourism can also be a force to preserve and revitalize the cultural identity and