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Tourism and Travel
Sectors
Tourism and Travel
About this sector
Based on its contribution to global gross domestic product, the number of people it employs, and the number of clients it serves, tourism has been described as the world’s largest industry. In 2008 these figures were 9.5% of global GDP, over 200 million jobs – one in 13 of all jobs worldwide – 924 million international travellers in 2008, and perhaps 10 times the number of domestic travellers.
The industry forms one of the top five export earners in 150 countries, and is particularly important for developing countries. For the world’s 40 poorest countries, tourism is second to oil as a source of foreign exchange.
Impacts
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Tourism facilities and infrastructure can threaten natural and important habitats.
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Excessive use of natural resources, such as fresh water, energy and food can threaten supplies and lead to pollution through waste.
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Tourist behaviour can threaten species and ecosystems (introduction of invasive alien species, harvesting of wild species for souvenirs).
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Opportunities/Risks
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The rise in demand for nature-based and eco-tourism creates business opportunities that can be tied with wildlife conservation.
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Consumer awareness of ethical and environmental issues creates markets for responsible tourism.
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Environmental impacts can limit access to capital insurance and incur legal risks.
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Brand and reputation are strongly influenced by a company’s environmental performance.
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