Environmental Impacts » Pollution and Resource Use

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Different types of pollution affecting tourist destinations
How tourism contributes to air, water, noise and visual pollution
Resource use issues in tourism including water, energy and land
Sustainable approaches to managing pollution and resources
Case studies of both negative impacts and positive solutions

Introduction to Tourism's Environmental Impacts

Tourism brings many benefits to destinations, but it can also harm the environment through pollution and excessive resource use. Understanding these impacts is essential for creating sustainable tourism that protects the places we love to visit.

Key Definitions:

Pollution: The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment that negatively impact ecosystems, wildlife, or human health.
Resource use: The consumption of natural resources such as water, energy and land for tourism activities and infrastructure.
Environmental impact: Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, resulting from tourism activities.

Types of Pollution in Tourism

💨 Air Pollution

Tourism contributes to air pollution through:

Transport emissions - aircraft, cruise ships, coaches and cars release carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter
Energy use in hotels and resorts for heating, cooling and electricity
Construction of tourism facilities releasing dust and emissions

Example: A single long-haul flight from London to Sydney produces approximately 3 tonnes of CO₂ per passenger - more than the average person in many developing countries produces in a year.

💦 Water Pollution

Tourism can pollute water through:

Sewage from hotels and resorts, especially in areas with poor infrastructure
Cruise ships discharging waste into oceans
Recreational activities like motorboats leaking fuel and oil
Sunscreen chemicals washing off swimmers and damaging coral reefs

Example: Popular beaches in Thailand have faced temporary closures due to wastewater from hotels damaging coral reefs and creating unsafe swimming conditions.

🔊 Noise Pollution

Tourism creates noise through:

Aircraft and traffic noise in popular destinations
Nightlife in resort areas disturbing local residents and wildlife
Recreational vehicles like jet skis, snowmobiles and quad bikes
Construction of new tourism facilities

Example: In Barcelona, residents have protested against noise from late-night bars and clubs in tourist areas, leading to stricter regulations on opening hours.

👀 Visual Pollution

Tourism can create visual pollution through:

Inappropriate architecture that doesn't match local character
Litter in natural areas and beaches
Excessive signage and advertising
Overcrowding at natural or cultural sites

Example: The Spanish coast has been nicknamed the "Costa del Concrete" due to overdevelopment of high-rise hotels that dominate the landscape.

Resource Use in Tourism

Tourism is a resource-intensive industry, often placing pressure on local supplies of water, energy and land, particularly in destinations with limited resources.

💧 Water Use

Tourism consumes water through:

Hotel showers, pools and laundry
Golf course irrigation
Snowmaking at ski resorts

Fact: A luxury hotel guest uses an average of 300 litres of water per day, while local residents in water-scarce destinations may use less than 50 litres.

⚡ Energy Use

Tourism consumes energy through:

Air conditioning and heating
Transport systems
Lighting and entertainment

Fact: Hotels account for approximately 1% of global carbon emissions, with luxury hotels using up to 10 times more energy per guest than budget accommodation.

🏠 Land Use

Tourism impacts land through:

Resort and infrastructure development
Habitat destruction
Soil erosion from activities

Fact: A typical 18-hole golf course requires about 60 hectares of land and uses as much water as a town of 8,000 people.

Case Study Focus: The Maldives

The Maldives faces significant environmental challenges from tourism:

Waste management: With limited land area, waste disposal is a major issue. Some resorts previously dumped waste directly into the ocean, though this practice has been reduced.
Water resources: Fresh water is scarce, leading many resorts to use energy-intensive desalination.
Coral damage: Tourism development and activities have damaged coral reefs, which are essential for both tourism and local fisheries.
Solutions: Several resorts now use solar power, water recycling systems, coral restoration projects and have banned single-use plastics.

The Maldives demonstrates both the environmental challenges of tourism and how sustainable practices can help address them.

Sustainable Approaches to Managing Pollution and Resource Use

Tourism doesn't have to be harmful to the environment. Many destinations and businesses are adopting sustainable practices to reduce pollution and resource use:

🌍 Reducing Pollution

Transport solutions: Promoting public transport, electric vehicles and carbon offset schemes for flights
Waste management: Implementing recycling programmes, banning single-use plastics and proper sewage treatment
Regulations: Setting noise limits, restricting vehicle access in sensitive areas and enforcing anti-littering laws
Education: Informing tourists about their environmental impact and how to reduce it

Example: Costa Rica has developed an extensive eco-certification programme for tourism businesses that meet strict environmental standards, including pollution control measures.

💡 Efficient Resource Use

Water conservation: Low-flow showers, rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems
Energy efficiency: Solar power, LED lighting, smart building systems and natural ventilation
Land planning: Careful zoning, building height restrictions and protection of natural areas
Local sourcing: Using local food and materials to reduce transport emissions

Example: The Svart Hotel in Norway is designed to be energy-positive, producing more energy than it uses through solar panels and efficient design.

Case Study Focus: Sustainable Tourism in Slovenia

Slovenia has positioned itself as one of Europe's greenest destinations by implementing comprehensive sustainability measures:

Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism: A certification programme that evaluates destinations and businesses on environmental management
Ljubljana: The capital city has extensive pedestrian zones, efficient public transport and 542 square metres of public green space per resident
Water protection: Strict regulations protect Slovenia's rivers, lakes and groundwater from tourism pollution
Results: Slovenia has seen an increase in high-value tourism while preserving its natural environment

Slovenia shows how a country-wide approach to sustainable tourism can reduce environmental impacts while creating a positive brand image.

Balancing Tourism and Environmental Protection

Successfully managing tourism's environmental impacts requires balancing different interests:

Economic benefits vs. environmental protection
Tourist experiences vs. resource conservation
Short-term profits vs. long-term sustainability
Development needs vs. pollution prevention

The most successful destinations find ways to create tourism that works with the environment rather than against it. This approach recognises that a healthy environment is essential for tourism's long-term success.

Remember these key points:

Tourism contributes to various types of pollution (air, water, noise, visual) that can damage destinations
Tourism often uses significant resources (water, energy, land) that may strain local supplies
Sustainable approaches can reduce these negative impacts while still providing quality experiences
Both tourists and tourism providers have responsibilities to protect the environment
Environmental protection is not just ethical but also makes business sense for tourism's future