Organized tours to remote communities and other countries are increasingly popular. Is it a positive or negative development for the local people and environment?

Recent years saw a significant development of package tours to far-flung areas. While such a tendency may cause some problems, I am convinced that the overall impact is tremendously positive.

Package tour can be a bad thing for the local people and environment in certain ways. Firstly, forests are cut down to make way for tourism infrastructures and amenities, which put the ecosystem at risk. Consequently, this action can destroy natural habitats and spoil the landscapes. Secondly, tourism centers thronged with tourists may have to deal with environmental degradation. Some environmentally unconscious tourists spit on the streets or throw litter in water and beauty spots, which can lead to a significant amount of water and air pollution.

However, there are many positive impacts brought by this trend that are worth mentioning. Tourism has the power to uplift a community from poverty. It brings financial benefits and economic growth to the local people by selling souvenirs or tickets. Moreover, tourism generates jobs opportunities for the unemployees. Wherever there are tourists, there is an increased demand for food servers, cooks, accommodation, so people in remote areas can take advantage of it and get a proper job right in their hometowns.

In conclusion, although there are some negative impacts of organized tours on the local people and environment, I believe this state of affairs brings a lot of remarkable benefits.