Managing Tourism (SQA National 5 Geography): Revision Note
Exam code: X833 75
Strategies Used to Manage Mass Tourism
Local and national governments use a range of strategies to manage mass tourism:
Tourist information centres:
Provide tourists with information about the visitor attractions in an area
Help tourists to find accommodation
Investment in transport and infrastructure helps to minimise traffic congestion and air pollution while maintaining high visitor numbers
Beaches are cleaned regularly to maintain a high environmental standard
Over 500 tonnes of rubbish were collected during beach cleaning in Benidorm, Spain, in 2024
Recycling facilities and collections reduce the amount of waste going to landfill
National Parks and Nature Reserves are designated to protect ecosystems and biodiversity from development
Charging parking fees discourages car use in busy areas and generates revenue to invest in local services
Signs help to promote responsible tourism
For example, ‘Don’t litter’, ‘Please dress modestly’
Charging tourist taxes generates revenue to fund maintenance of public spaces, services and infrastructure
Regulation of short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, helps to ensure affordable housing for local people
Case Study
Case study: Venice, Italy
Venice is a small city in north-east Italy
It is built on over 100 islands in the Venetian Lagoon
It is famous for its canals and relies on gondolas and water taxis for transport, rather than cars
Almost 6 million tourists visited Venice in 2024 and the number of day-trippers is estimated at 30 million per year
They are attracted by famous landmarks such as St. Mark’s Basilica, which receives around 3 million visitors per year
Major events such as the Venice Carnival and Venice Film Festival also attract large numbers of visitors
Tourists easily outnumber the permanent residents, leading to problems like overcrowding and pollution
Management strategies
In 2024, Venice introduced a day-tripper entry fee of €5 to try to reduce the number of tourists who only come for the day
Day-trippers are less valuable to the economy than those who stay overnight, so they may bring more problems than benefits
The revenue is used to fund the maintenance of the city and its services
Large cruise ships are banned from the Venetian Lagoon to reduce pollution
Instead, they dock in nearby towns and cities and tourists are bused into Venice
The size of tour groups has been limited to a maximum of 25 people, and loudspeakers have been banned
This helps to prevent overcrowding and noise pollution
St. Mark’s Basilica limits daily visitor numbers and has increased ticket prices
This reduces overcrowding and generates funds for maintenance
Strategies Used to Manage Eco-Tourism
Eco-tourism aims to make tourism more sustainable in various ways:
Eco-friendly accommodation uses renewable energy, minimises water consumption and reduces waste
Solar energy is often used to power eco-lodges
Rainwater harvesting reduces pressure on local water sources, and composting toilets help to minimise water demand
Waste is often recycled or composted to reduce the amount going to landfill
Sometimes the compost is used to support kitchen gardens, which grow food served in the lodges
Goods are often purchased locally and with minimal packaging to reduce their carbon footprint
Providing training and employment to local people improves their skills and standard of living
Educating tourists encourages them to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviours
The phrase ‘take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints’ emphasises the idea of enjoying nature without harming it
Limiting tourist numbers minimises negative impacts
For example, in Peru, the number of tourists allowed on the Inca Trail is restricted
Tourists are encouraged to respect local cultures and traditions
For example, removing shoes before entering temples in Cambodia to avoid insulting local people
Case Study
Case study: Bhutan
Bhutan is a small country in the Himalayas, neighbouring India and China
It has a population of just under 800,000 people
It first allowed international tourists to visit in 1974, with fewer than 300 arriving that year
In 2025, around 200,000 tourists visited Bhutan
Management strategies
Bhutan follows a model of high-value, low-impact tourism
It aims to generate income and economic growth while protecting the pristine environment and unique culture from mass tourism
It charges a daily Sustainable Development Fee to all tourists of around $100 per night
The revenue earned is used to fund healthcare, education and conservation
This helps to keep tourist numbers fairly low and minimise negative impacts
Tourists have to book through licensed tour operators and stay in approved accommodation
This helps to manage flows of people and ensure tourism remains sustainable
It also ensures that profits stay local and residents benefit economically
National Parks such as Jigme Dorji help to attract visitors while also conserving the environment
Visitors are encouraged to participate in wildlife monitoring and habitat restoration
Jobs are created for Bhutanese people as tour guides, hotel staff and drivers
Local people can also earn money by offering homestays or selling handicrafts
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