Fastest growing economic sectors in the world.

Tourism has become a thriving global industry with the power to

shape developing countries in both positive and negative ways. No doubt it has become the fourth largest industry in
the global economy.
Similarly, in developing countries like India tourism has become one of the major sectors of the economy, contributing
to a large proportion of the National Income and generating huge employment opportunities. It has become the
fastest growing service industry in the country with great potentials for its further expansion and diversification.
However, there are pros and cons involved with the development of tourism industry in the country
POSITIVE IMPACTS
Tourism in India has emerged as an instrument of income and employment generation, poverty alleviation and
sustainable human development. It helps preserve several places which are of historical importance by declaring
them as heritage sites. It tends to encourage the development of multiple-use infrastructure that benefits the host
community, including various means of transports, health care facilities, and sports centers, in addition to the hotels
and high-end restaurants that cater to foreign visitors.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Tourism sometimes led to the destruction of the social fabric of a community. The more tourists coming into a place,
the more the perceived risk of that place losing its identity. It can increase tension, hostility, and suspicion between
the tourists and the local communities when there is no respect and understanding for each others culture and way
of life. This may further lead to violence and other crimes committed against the tourists. One of the most important
adverse effects of tourism on the environment is increased pressure on the carrying capacity of the ecosystem in
each tourist locality. Increased transport and construction activities led to large scale deforestation and destabilization
of natural landforms, while increased tourist flow led to increase in solid waste dumping as well as depletion of water
and fuel resources. Flow of tourists to ecologically sensitive areas resulted in destruction of rare and endangered
species due to trampling, killing, disturbance of breeding habitats. Noise pollution from vehicles and public address
systems, water pollution, vehicular emissions, untreated sewage, etc. also have direct effects on bio-diversity,
ambient environment and general profile of tourist spots
/////////////////////////////////////////// Over the decades, tourism has exper e e o t ue ro th
ee e
diversification to become one of the
"The Two Sides of Tourism Industry"
Tourism is one of the most popular industries in India. However, every coin has two sides and both the sides hold
importance while discussing its entity. On the outer level, tourism might seem beneficial for the people, the nature,
the history and the nations name, fame and wealth as a whole. However, on further consideration it can be proved
that it has its own share of disadvantages as well.
Firstly, on financial grounds, India depends a lot on the travel expenditures incurred by foreigners, as a source of
taxation and as a source of income for the enterprises. Therefore, the development of tourism is often a strategy to
encourage a particular region for the purpose of increasing commerce through exporting goods and services. It is
popular in India because this industry does not require a lot of literacy and also it yields maximum profits with less
investment.
It also provides direct employment for the people associated with occupations in bars and hotels. Thanks to it, the
average standard of living of people increases well and at the same time unemployment is on the decrease.
However, tourists cause environmental damage through forest fires, destruction of sand dunes and pollution. This, in
turn, discourages tourism as increased pollution disturbs local residents and also it may discourage tourists from
further entering the country. The popularity in the industry also gets affected when people cause pollution through
rd
littering in the snow peaks of Himalayas as well as in the wide coastline which surrounds 1/3 of the entire country.
Henceforth, tourism undermines culture by commercializing it and this is often connected with increasing litter, graffiti,
vandalism and noise by tourists who do not always respect traditional cultures, which is sad but true.
Thus, it can be noticed that tourism has two sides- the profitable, promotional aspect as well as the disadvantageous
horrifying affects on our nation.