Page 2 Page 3 Teacher's Notes IMPACTS OF TOURISM Duration: 22 min Grades: 7-12 Introduction Investigating the world of tourism Tourists are found in places where there are spectacular and colourful natural features such as forests and coasts, valleys and mountains, and icy lands and deserts, and they are found in places such as cities, towns and rural areas where people have made spectacular changes to the landscape over time and where they live colourful ways of life. As well as learning about these places in school courses, students learn about the roles and responsibilities of individuals, groups and governments in the management of these sites for the enjoyment of future generations. School geography courses challenge students to learn about planning for human activities, including economic activities such as tourism which provide employment and lead to the circulation of money in communities. The management of environments is a focus of geography courses and students learn how communities plan appropriate management by the study of issues such as tourism. So, in using this video, students not only learn about tourism, they are learning more widely about management principles such as maintaining biodiversity by habitat protection and planning for sustainability. Tourism in Australia In those courses which have a focus on Australia teachers lead their students to understand current issues in the Australian environment and society, such as tourism. In such a study students investigate the relevant geographical processes (for example how the landscape was formed and how it is being transformed by people over time) the different perceptions of groups about the issues, who are making decisions and what are the consequences - such as impacts on the environment or the community. Tourism is rapidly becoming the world's premier economic activity. It takes place in developed and less developed countries - even in remote locations such as Antarctica. In this video there are several case studies of places where tourism has been established, and in looking at them, students are invited to think about impacts of tourists in the economy, on the environment and on the culture, and to make balanced judgments about the benefits and disadvantages of tourism in each place. This leads to the generation of ideas about management plans - ideas which are then transferable to other issues which affect the environment and society. The activities are provided as ideas for teachers to choose as appropriate for their own class - some of the tasks are suitable for less able students, other for the students with wider experience and greater imagination and understanding. Using the Video: Some ideas It has sometimes been said that looking at a video for information is like trying to drink from a fire hose. In this 23 minute video there is much information and many concepts about tourism, so the video might be thought of as a data source, somewhat like you might think of a reference book or web site. With print material you can go back and check information, but with a video this is not so easy - but if there is time, a second - even a third, viewing can be worth while. However if students just look at a video again without a purpose they will "turning off". So engaging in tasks related to the video is appropriate, and we have provided a selection of activities here. The activities are based on the idea that the video is source of information, and so the tasks are two-fold - getting and organising data from the video and using these data to address issues of tourism and its management. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS How might tourists damage the Blue Mountains environment? Tick the ones noted in the video
Before viewing: Preparation VIDEO ACTIVITIES 1. Using an atlas find the location of Nepal, China, Mexico, the Gold Coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives, Canada, Hawaii, the Blue Mountains, Las Vegas, Byron Bay, and Turkey. 2. Write down the last three places you went to on a holiday. Rate each place with a score out of ten for enjoyment. Did you think of yourself as a tourist? While Viewing the Video Making a Data Bank While watching the video, complete this data sheet. ECONOMIC IMPACTS Tourists spend most money in four areas. They are: 1... 2... 3... 4... Tick the ways tourism provides employment 1. Construction of tourist facilities 2. Transport services 3. Cleaners 4. Shop assistants 5. Selling souvenirs 6. Tour guides Spot the differences in tourist benefits. MALDIVES Downturn in tourist trade is felt acutely because: CANADA Tourism is not so critical because: Page 4
1. Trampling on the delicate ecosystems 2. Causing air pollution 3. Frightening the animals 4. Disturbing the peace and quiet. How are island environments protected from tourist impacts? Tick the ones shown. 1. Limit the number of resorts 2. Send waste back to the mainland SOCIAL IMPACTS Tick the ones shown in the video. Local people are affected by tourism which 1. Causes congestion 2. Raises the value of property In less developed countries tourism has these social impacts: Tick the ones shown. 1. Provides money for education and health 2. Widens the gap between rich and poor 3. Tourists sometimes offend the local people's customs. CULTURAL IMPACTS A benefit of tourism is restoration of heritage buildings. Write down one heritage feature shown on the video. A disadvantage of tourism is decline in the quality of traditional dance, music and craft. Name one of these shown in the video. MANAGEMENT OF TOURISM: ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS Problems require solutions: the answer in management of tourism is wise planning. Does the video support this idea? YES NO (circle one) Page 5
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Literacy: practice and mastery of text types Four text types, reporting, explaining, discussing and writing expositions, may be practised by students in class and as homework. Students' performances in using them can be assessed in assigned tasks and tests. Report 1. Write a report which examines the effects that tourism has on Byron Bay. At the end, write the date of ;your report the source of the information and your name. Now proof read your report to see that spelling and punctuation are correct. If you are using a word processor, use a spelling check, if not, check words you are not sure about in a dictionary and place names in an atlas. 2. Write a report of about 200 words describing the employment opportunities tourism might provide for a local community in a less developed country such as the Maldives or Nepal. Use these four sub headings: accommodation, sightseeing, food/service industry, souvenirs. Explanation 1. Step 1: Divide your page into two columns headed Developed Countries and Less Developed countries and write notes in each column about the different impacts tourism has on these countries. 2. Step 1: Divide your page into 2 column headed Tourism and Ecotourism. Using data on Heron Island and Surfers Paradise from the video write notes in each column. Step 2: Using the data from your columns write a 100 word explanation of the difference between Tourism and Ecotourism. Discussion 1. Write a 200 word statement discussing how Byron Bay has changed in the last few years and why the local council has restricted development of tourist facilities in the area. 2. Write a 200 word statement discussing some of the ways that we can limit the negative effects of tourism in a place. 3. Choose one of the places mentioned in the video and discuss in 200 words how life has changed 'since the tourists came to town'. Exposition Write two 200 page papers - each taking an opposite point of view. 1. Think about the shore line and beach in Hawaii and argue for (first paper) and against (second paper) Byron Bay Council allowing high rise development close to the shore. 2. Taking an example from the video argue a case for and against tourism being a positive experience for both local people and tourists. Page 6
Research Activity - comparative Exercise 1. Using the video as a source of information and ideas, and your own knowledge, complete this chart. Holiday in the Maldives Holiday in Las Vegas Clothes to pack Places to stay Holiday activities Souvenirs Photos to show when you return 2. On half a page rule a rectangle to represent a post card. Now 'write a postcard home' from either place telling your friends or family about your holiday. 3. The Blue Mountains, the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Wall of China are all World Heritage Listed sites. Visit the World Heritage website at www.unesco.org/whc to discover why these, and other popular tourist sites are considered to be worth protecting. Perspectives Part of growing up is developing the ability to 'step outside our shoes' and look at things from others' viewpoints. Role playing, when you take the part of someone else, helps do this. Role play: Three different role play scenarios are set up allowing students to imagine themselves in tourism situations and responding and arguing from this perspective. Role Play 1: One person is a girl from a Muslim family living in an area where a resort has just been built on the coast that caters for overseas tourists mostly from non Muslim countries. The other person is a girl of similar age who has come to the resort for a holiday and to get a tan. She is sunbathing in a small bikini on the beach near the other girl's home. These two people meet and explain their views about appropriate public clothing. Role Play 2: One person is a developer who wishes to demolish an old timber house on the beach at Byron Bay to build a three story resort style hotel. A second person is a local resident who lives next door and is an active supporter of the council's decision to restrict the tourist development in the area. These two people meet and explain their viewpoints. Role play 3: One person is a scuba diving enthusiast who has travelled from Europe to see the Great Barrier Reef. The second person is an environmentalist who is concerned about coral reef damage. These two people need and explain their viewpoints. At the end of the role plays it could be interesting for the role players to remain in character for either a round table discussion about the positive and negative effects of tourism or for the six students to be a panel for the rest of the class to ask questions and for them to answer from the perspective of their adopted character. Page 7
Page 8 Letter Writing * Write a letter to your local newspaper complaining about the increasing impacts of tourism in your town. * Write a letter to the council supporting an application by a developer to build a high rise block of flats on the beach front. Decision Making - a group activity In groups of four, rank, from 1 (high) to 5 (lower), the order of priority in which you would try to solve these issues in an area where tourists go. (A) Displacement of local people due to rise in real estate prices (B) Rise in traffic jams and queues for basic services (C) Excessive non-biodegradable waste being created by tourists (D) Erosion/destruction of the natural environment, e.g. damage to coral reefs. (E) Loss of authentic culture such as traditional dancing, to cater for tourists needs. Problem Solving In groups of 4 write down a 10 point plan that you might offer to the Chinese Government to help them plan effectively for the tourism boom that is just beginning in their country. Final Question In pairs, discuss which place in the world you would most like to visit and explain why. Then design a brochure or piece of advertising for this place, paying attention to the intended audience and the natural and cultural features that recommend the place as a suitable tourist destination. Page 9 Page 10 CREDITS Writer/Producer Corinna Klupiec Editor Dominique Fusy Online Editor Roddy Balle Sound Phillip McGuire Teachers notes Geoff Conolly and Maxine Whelan Copyright CLASSROOM VIDEO (2001) and Orders: Classroom Video 107 1500 Hartley Avenue Coquitlam, BC V3K 7A1 Ph: (604) 523 6677 Fax: (604) 523 6688 email:sales@classvideo.com Australia Ph: (02) 9913 8700 Fax: (02) 9913 8077 UK: Ph: 01454324222 Fax: 01454325222 USA: Ph: 1 800 665 4121 Fax: 1 800 665 2909 New Zealand: Combined Phone and Fax: 09 478 4540