Organizing tours to remote places and communities is becoming more and more popular. Is it a positive or negative development for the local people and environment? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Due to an increase in disposable income, people today are more willing to pay for long-distance trips to enjoy new experiences in distant regions such as Antarctica and the Sahara Desert, to name a few. In the writer’s view, while there are valid concerns over the well-being of the local communities and environmental impacts, the opportunities offered by such journeys are more significant, particularly if it is well-governed by the authorities.
Granted, loss of cultural heritage and environmental degradation are two major risks associated with the rising popularity of these places. With regard to the former, many local communities have reaped significant economic benefits from such trips for providing accommodation, guide services, and local specialties. However, this financial reward could encourage them to prioritize profits over upholding their treasured traditions and customs, resulting in a gradual loss of identity. Additionally, an influx of tourists to these regions could fuel the demand for hospitality services and amenities. Their construction generally requires the clearance of pristine forests and removal of other nature features. Ecological disruption will likely ensue, with severe long-term impacts such as increased likelihood of flooding or erosion for the local residents.
However, with proper guidance and support from the government, the aforementioned problems could be remedied. To illustrate, the ministry of culture could consider an education campaign to raise the locals’ awareness of sustainable tourism. This project should place a focus on the originality and eco-friendly nature of the journeys, and how it will offer them greater long-term benefits in lieu of the more money-conscious approach. Consequently, the locals are more encouraged to focus on the preservation of culture and nature as their treasured assets, thus relieving the concern mentioned above.
Indeed, remote tourism can raise tourists’ awareness of environmental issues. It has been reported that tourists visiting the Arctic Ocean saw the need for action to combat global warming upon witnessing the melting polar ice caps, while others were appalled at the rate at which deforestation takes place after their journeys to the Amazon rainforest. This type of tourism may help the public to become more environmentally conscious, facilitating more meaningful steps to ensure that governments take more drastic measures against these threats. Meanwhile, apart from the mentioned financial benefits, local communities may receive more public attention and support to promote their preservation efforts to ensure that cultural diversity and nature remain intact.
In conclusion, while there is some reasonable concern over the loss of cultural identity and environmental damage which results from trips to distant areas, the writer would argue that this worry could be addressed if the government focuses on education for these local groups. The upsides of these trips are significantly more beneficial owing to their ability to increase environmental awareness; and the locals could reap the financial benefits from these trips, while garnering more support for their preservation efforts.
