Final answer:
The article aims to persuade readers to avoid littering at tourist spots, noting the environmental harm caused by tourism despite economic benefits. It advocates for ecotourism and proper waste disposal as paths towards sustainable tourism. Option B is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The article was most likely written to persuade readers to not litter at tourist spots. While the economic benefits of tourism are clear, the article emphasizes the negative environmental impacts it can have, such as pollution, destruction of ecosystems, and cultural disturbance in local communities.
It highlights that conscious behavior by tourists and proper waste management are crucial for maintaining the natural beauty of tourist sites, citing the concepts of ecotourism and geo-tourism as sustainable tourism models that balance economic gains with environmental stewardship.
It emphasizes that while tourist activity boosts local economies in places like the Caribbean Basin, Yosemite National Park, and the Galapagos Islands, it can also lead to environmental pollution and loss of cultural identity if not managed effectively. Examples of damage caused by littering, such as the impact on coral reefs in Cozumel, Mexico, and ocean pollution are mentioned to underscore the issue. The article calls for tourists to show civic responsibility by carrying essentials and disposing of waste properly, as government cleanup efforts alone are not enough.
Thus, the correct option that captures the author's primary intent is B. To persuade readers to not litter at tourist spots.