Environment degradation caused by
tourism is sadly a feature of the industry in the region. Examples includes the
clearance of mangroves forests for beach access, uprooting of near-shore sea
grass beds for the convenience of wading tourists and use of long pesticides in
gardens and on beaches to control sand flies and mosquitoes. Rapid hotel
development accompanied by local population increases to services the industry
create serious problems with sewage and wastes. These are usually exacerbated
by the lack of infrastructure and relevant legislation. Indirect environment
damage has resulted from the demand for construction materials, notably
mangrove poles and coral to produce limestone. The influx of tourists into an
area often result in local increase in the cost of living, forcing those not
directly involved in the industry to move to the cities for work or to resort
to unsound ecological practices to supplement their income. Coral reefs which
in most places ironically provide many of the factors by the visitor (e.g
seafood and good snorkeling), have been serious affected by unregulated and
careless tourists boat anchoring, scuba diving, snorkeling and trampling by
foot. Addition, collection of marine life and breakage of corals by careless or
uninformed tourists can severely degrade coral reefs. The need for fresh
seafood may place the local artisan reef fishery under severe pressure as
local fishermen to demand by hotel.
Tourism can be divided into two main
types participatory tourism which contributes to the local economy through interaction and involvement of the
local communities and non participatory tourism where the majority of the profit remain the country of origin , which the hotel chain or travel agent with relatively low benefits
to local communities. Non participatory tourism development often lead to conflicts between tourists and local population, the worst
examples of being increases in crimes, prostitution and drug related
problem. It is important that the tourists themselves recognize their
responsibilities when interacting with local population as well as their role
as a pressure group which can encourage hotel to be more participatory and
environmentally responsible. The rapid growing coastal tourism industry must
also acknowledge that the marine resources on which it depends are finite and
also vital to neighboring villages. It must attempt to develop methods which
assist all users. Ecotourism is a new
and budding industry in the region which aims to assist both the local
environment and socio-economic situation. It attempt to minimize detrimental impacts,
encourage environmental and cultural awareness among visitors, develop
alternative source of power where appropriate and safe and ecologically sound disposal of wastes . Eco tourism also strives to be
participatory .Many tourism developers consider local arts, food and traditions
to be of little interest or value to the visitors. Care should be taken to
avoid weakening the cultural fabric of the coastal region instead operators
should promote local arts, crafts and culinary tradition.
Generally tourism is strongly
influenced by the developer in most cases a foreign investors catering
specifically for tourists, usually from his or her home country. Governments in
the Western Indian Oceans region have traditionally welcomed large hotel, as
they attracted by large-scale investment and the prospect of immediate tax
return and tourist levies. The benefits of each type of tourism and the kind of
tourists associated with each should be carefully examined. The development of
tourism facilities such as golf course which require vast quantities of
freshwater for irrigation or coastal marinas should be very carefully assessed
.Coastal tourism certainly can, and does contribute to local economies.
Examples of benefits to local communities directly related to tourism activities are numerous, including
new job opportunities for which the hotel often provides training , an increased
of international understanding
and awareness ,the development of infrastructure, notably road, water
and electricity and improved coastal and marine conservation through revenue
collected from tourists .Prior to further expansion ,the industry and
government should carefully consider the
points discussed above , undertake thorough Impact Assessment studies and
follow the resulting recommendations, bearing in mind that situations do change
and monitoring of effects should be considered.
