Tourism has wide-ranging social and environmental impacts, making it a key area of study in IB Geography, particularly within Option E: Leisure, Tourism and Sport. While tourism can bring significant benefits, it can also create challenges for local communities and fragile environments. Understanding these impacts is essential for evaluating tourism sustainability.

One major social impact of tourism is cultural exchange. Tourism can encourage greater understanding between cultures, promote tolerance, and preserve traditions through museums, festivals, and heritage sites. Local crafts, food, and customs may gain value as tourist attractions, supporting cultural pride and identity.

However, tourism can also lead to cultural commodification. Traditions may be altered or simplified to meet tourist expectations, reducing their authenticity. In some destinations, local culture becomes commercialised, losing meaning for local communities. In IB Geography, this is often discussed as a negative social consequence of mass tourism.

Tourism can also affect social structures and inequality. Employment opportunities created by tourism may be low-paid, seasonal, or insecure. Wealth generated by tourism often benefits business owners rather than local workers. Rising property prices and living costs in tourist areas can displace local residents, particularly in popular coastal or historic destinations.

Another important social impact is pressure on local services and infrastructure. During peak tourist seasons, demand for water, healthcare, transport, and waste disposal may exceed capacity. This can reduce quality of life for local residents and create tension between tourists and host communities.

Tourism also has significant environmental impacts. Natural environments are often major attractions, but heavy tourist use can damage ecosystems. Footpath erosion, habitat destruction, and wildlife disturbance are common in popular natural areas. Coastal tourism can accelerate erosion and damage coral reefs through construction, pollution, and recreational activities.

Pollution is a major environmental concern. Tourism increases waste generation, water pollution, and air pollution from transport. In fragile environments, waste management systems may be inadequate, leading to long-term environmental degradation. In IB Geography, this highlights the conflict between economic benefits and environmental protection.

Tourism also contributes to climate change, particularly through air travel. Long-haul flights produce high carbon emissions, raising questions about the sustainability of global tourism growth. Climate change may also threaten tourism destinations through rising sea levels, extreme weather, and ecosystem loss.

Despite these impacts, tourism can support environmental conservation when managed sustainably. Entrance fees, conservation taxes, and ecotourism initiatives can fund environmental protection and raise awareness of sustainability issues.

Overall, tourism has complex social and environmental impacts that vary between locations. While tourism can promote cultural exchange and conservation, it can also increase inequality, cultural loss, and environmental damage. Sustainable management is essential to balance these outcomes.

RevisionDojo helps IB Geography students evaluate tourism impacts clearly, supporting balanced, well-developed, exam-ready responses.