Decision Making Exercise - Tourism in the National Parks
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Problems caused by tourism
Benefits of tourism
Background to the DME
Problems caused by tourism
The main problems caused by the increasing numbers of visitors to National Parks are listed below:
- 'Honeypot' sites - too many people in the nicest, most accessible places - result severe congestion!
- Footpath erosion - thousands of feet killing the plants and eroding the soil.
- Disturbance to wildlife in their natural habitat - caused by walkers, mountain bikers, etc.
- Litter - large numbers of people inevitable means large amounts of litter.
- Damage to farmland - trampling of crops, gates left open, dogs not under control.
- Loss of services - more and more shops are catering to tourists rather than local people.
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Benefits of tourism
The main benefits brought by the increasing numbers of visitors to National Parks are listed below:
- Employment - almost six thousand jobs, half of them full-time, depend on the National Parks
- Money - millions of people spend an average £10 per visit.
- Farmers need to diversify i.e. find new ways to make money as traditional farming declines.
- Supporting local services - in the villages, shops and services would disappear without the tourists.
- Preservation of historic buildings - many historic sites have been renovated and opened for tourists.
- Local culture - ancient crafts and local traditions e.g. 'Morris dancing' are encouraged by tourism.
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