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Unlock This CourseWhile travel and tourism bring many benefits to destinations, they also create various forms of pollution that can harm the environment and local communities. As tourists move around, stay in accommodation and enjoy activities, they leave an environmental footprint through air, noise and water pollution.
Key Definitions:
Understanding the pollution caused by tourism is crucial because:
Tourism accounts for about 8% of global carbon emissions, with transportation being the largest contributor. The industry also impacts:
Air pollution is one of the most significant environmental impacts of tourism, primarily due to the transportation methods tourists use to reach and travel within destinations.
Tourism contributes to air pollution through various activities and services:
Aircraft emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter directly into the upper atmosphere. A single long-haul flight can produce more CO₂ per passenger than some people in developing countries produce in a year.
Coaches, rental cars and taxis used by tourists emit exhaust fumes containing carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, contributing to smog and respiratory problems in popular destinations.
Hotels and resorts consume large amounts of energy for heating, cooling and electricity, often relying on fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases and other pollutants when burned.
Venice receives over 30 million visitors annually, with large cruise ships being a major source of air pollution. A single cruise ship docked in Venice can produce as much air pollution as 14,000 cars. In 2021, after years of protests from local residents, the Italian government banned large cruise ships from entering the historic centre. This decision aimed to protect the city's air quality and fragile lagoon ecosystem from the pollution caused by these massive vessels.
Noise pollution is often overlooked but can significantly impact both wildlife and local communities in tourist destinations.
Tourism activities can dramatically increase noise levels in destinations, disrupting natural environments and local life:
Excessive noise from tourists can:
Local residents in tourist areas often experience:
Common sources of tourism-related noise pollution include:
Made famous by the film "The Beach," Maya Bay in Thailand received up to 5,000 visitors and 200 boats daily. The constant noise from boat engines and tourists disrupted the local marine ecosystem, contributing to coral damage and driving away native fish species. In 2018, authorities closed the bay to tourists to allow environmental recovery. When it reopened in 2022, strict visitor limits were implemented and boats must now dock at a designated area away from the bay, significantly reducing noise pollution in the marine environment.
Tourism can have severe impacts on water quality in lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater systems, affecting both human communities and aquatic ecosystems.
Water pollution in tourist destinations comes from various sources:
Cruise ships and recreational boats can release sewage, greywater, oil and fuel directly into marine environments. A single large cruise ship can produce over 200,000 litres of sewage and 1 million litres of greywater daily.
Hotels and resorts often discharge poorly treated wastewater into nearby waters. Construction of tourism facilities can increase sedimentation and runoff, damaging coral reefs and marine habitats.
Sunscreen chemicals from swimmers can harm coral reefs. Litter from beach visitors often ends up in the ocean, while golf courses use fertilisers and pesticides that can contaminate groundwater.
Effects of Water Pollution on Tourism Destinations:
The Mediterranean Sea receives over 300 million tourists annually, making it the world's most visited tourism region. During summer months, the population of some coastal areas can increase tenfold. This seasonal population surge overwhelms local sewage treatment facilities, resulting in untreated or partially treated wastewater entering the sea. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that 80% of sewage in the Mediterranean enters the sea untreated. This pollution has led to beach closures, declining fish stocks and harmful algal blooms. The Mediterranean Action Plan now requires coastal hotels to implement proper wastewater treatment systems and monitors water quality at popular beaches.
While tourism creates pollution challenges, the industry is increasingly adopting sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact.
As a responsible tourist, you can help reduce pollution by:
Costa Rica has become a global leader in sustainable tourism by implementing strict environmental regulations. The country's Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program evaluates businesses based on their environmental practices, including pollution control. Certified businesses must properly treat all wastewater, use energy-efficient systems and implement noise reduction measures. The country aims to become carbon-neutral, with many eco-lodges already operating on renewable energy. As a result, Costa Rica has managed to grow its tourism industry while protecting its natural environment, proving that tourism development and environmental protection can work together.