Final answer:
Tourism has both positive and negative impacts on communities and their economic realities. Positive impacts include increased income, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange. Negative impacts include overdependence, environmental degradation, and the commodification of local culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tourism is a booming industry that has a significant impact on communities across the world. The economic realities of the communities that tourist destinations occupy can be both positive and negative.
Positive impacts:
- Tourism can be a valuable source of income in locations where other industries are not profitable. It provides jobs and boosts the local economy.
- Tourism can lead to infrastructure development, as destinations invest in improving transportation, accommodations, and other facilities to attract tourists.
- Tourism can also promote cultural exchange and understanding between tourists and the local community.
Negative impacts:
- Tourism can lead to overdependence on a single industry, making communities vulnerable to economic downturns or changes in tourist preferences.
- Large numbers of tourists can strain local resources and infrastructure, leading to environmental degradation and increased pollution.
- Tourism can also contribute to the commodification of local culture and traditions, as communities adapt to meet the expectations and demands of tourists.