Back to: Impact of Tourism
While tourism brings many benefits, it also has potential negative impacts if not managed carefully. Sustainable tourism aims to maximize the benefits and minimize the problems.
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Positive Impacts:
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Economic Growth: Creates jobs and business opportunities.
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Cultural Pride: Encourages communities to preserve their traditions.
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Environmental Conservation: Creates value for protecting national parks and wildlife (e.g., Chitwan National Park).
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Negative Impacts:
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Environmental Damage: Trekking trails can become polluted with waste. Unsustainable logging for lodge fuel can harm forests.
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Cultural Erosion: Local traditions can become commercialized and lose their meaning just to please tourists.
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Over-tourism: Popular places like parts of Kathmandu or the main Annapurna trekking route can become overcrowded, straining resources and reducing the quality of the experience.
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