Page 105 - Specialised First Foreign Language 1

• Over-dependence on tourism makes the host

economy vulnerable.

Social Dimension

The social dimension of tourism has been given less

attention in the sustainable tourism debates, than the

environmental impacts of tourism. This is because the

socio-cultural impacts of tourism usually occur slowly

over time in an unspectacular fashion. They are also

largely invisible and intangible.

The social impact of tourism is usually permanent with

little or no opportunity to reverse the changes once it

has taken place. When the social impact of sustainable

tourism has been considered the focus has normally

been upon the host community.

There are a number of factors that determine whether

or not the balance of socio-cultural impacts will be

positive or negative in a particular location including:

• The strength and coherence of the local society

and culture.

• The nature of tourism in the resort.

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