disadvantages of tourism on the economy of botswana

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Sustainable Tourism and the SDG’s in Botswana: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges Towards 2030

• First Online: 09 October 2020

Cite this chapter

• Lesego S. Stone 4 ,
• Patricia K. Mogomotsi 4 ,
• Moren T. Stone 5 ,
• Goemeone E. J. Mogomotsi 4 ,
• R. Malesu 6 &
• M. Somolekae 7  

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3 Citations

The adoption and sustained rise of tourism activities over the past 50 years is one of the most noteworthy economic, social, environmental, and cultural occurrences of our time. In view of these remarkable occurrences, tourism has been earnestly considered in the national sustainable development plans of many developing countries and a subject of many international conferences on the Sustainable Development Agenda. For instance, the 2030 agenda for sustainable development has at its core in the eradication of poverty, while at the same time preserving the planet, eliminating climate change and addressing other societal needs such as the creation of jobs, health, education, gender equality and empowerment for all. As a sector that constitutes around 10% to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment, tourism has the potential to contribute to the advancement and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs 8 (decent work and economic growth), 12 (responsible consumption and production) 14 (life below water) and 15 (life on land) since it has been adopted as a win-win advancement of both natural resources conservation and human development nexus.

For many developing countries such as Botswana the tourism sector is promoted not only to serve the planet but people as well. Due to the heavy reliance on the country’s natural resources, achieving sustainable tourism development is central to Botswana. Using the concepts of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and sustainable tourism development, this chapter adopts a case study design, informed by a qualitative research approach and uses document analysis to explore, synthesize and discuss tourism development in Botswana. The chapter uses the CBNRM and eco-certification programmes to analyse socio-economic prospects, standardization prospects and opportunities and challenges experienced through these programmes. Results indicate mixed outcomes. Although sustainable tourism in Botswana has led to some form of community participation and empowerment, natural resource conservation, a range of livelihood options and employment opportunities, there are still a number of challenges being experienced. These include the passive participation of locals in the sector, poor backward and forward tourism businesses linkages, foreign ownership of tourism facilities, environmental impacts challenges and institutional frameworks that continue to marginalize and/or alienate local communities from participating in the sector. Regardless of these difficulties, sustainable tourism development in Botswana has prospects of contributing to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, to reconcile the challenges and prospects facing tourism development in Botswana, environmental sustainability should be the guiding principle, and this requires a planning process that contributes positively to the needs of tourists and tour operators while being considerate to the sociocultural, economic and environmental needs of the country. In view of the chapter’s results, policy implications are also discussed.

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Abbreviations

Botswana Ecotourism Certification System

Botswana Pess Agency

Botswana Tourism Organisation

Community-Based Natural Resource Management

Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust

Chobe National Park

Department of Forestry (1 and Range Resources)

Department of National Museums and Monuments

Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Gross Domestic Product

Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Enhanced Integrated Framework

International Trade Centre

Ministry of Environment , Natural Resource Conservation and Tourism

Moremi Game Reserve

National Ecotourism Strategy

Okavango Delta

Sustainable Development Goals

Netherlands Development Organization

Sankuyo Tshwaragano Management Trust

The International Ecotourism Society

United Nations Environment Programme

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

United Nations General Assembly

United Nations World Tourism Organization

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Stone, L.S., Mogomotsi, P.K., Stone, M.T., Mogomotsi, G.E.J., Malesu, R., Somolekae, M. (2020). Sustainable Tourism and the SDG’s in Botswana: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges Towards 2030. In: Keitumetse, S.O., Hens, L., Norris, D. (eds) Sustainability in Developing Countries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48351-7_8

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25 Important Disadvantages of Tourism

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

I am sad to say that there are many disadvantages of tourism. Tourism has the power to do so much good, but equally it also has the power to do so much bad. The key is careful and sufficient tourism planning and management. So what are these disadvantages of tourism, why are they so bad and how can we overcome them? Read on to find out…

The 3 categories of disadvantages of tourism

Natural habitat disruption, resource depletion, climate change, wildlife disturbance, coral reefs damage, seasonal nature of tourism, economic dependence, revenue leakage, unequal distribution of income, opportunity cost, over-reliance on a single industry, environmental costs, cost of living, cultural commodification, cultural displacement, commodification of culture, overcrowding, increased crime, social inequality, change in local lifestyles, loss of local employment, inflation in property prices, sustainable tourism practices, involving local communities, education and awareness, diversification of the economy, government regulations and policies, infrastructure development, long-term planning, adaptable management strategies, the disadvantages of tourism- to conclude, the disadvantages of tourism.

As one delves into the captivating world of globetrotting, it is easy to become enamored with the captivating allure of exploration, adventure, and cross-cultural interactions that define the tourist experience. Tourism, undoubtedly, contributes significantly to the economic prosperity of nations, providing employment , generating foreign exchange, and fostering cross-cultural understanding . Yet, there exists a darker side to this glittering façade, one that, more often than not, escapes the radar of mainstream discourse.

This post will highlight the less celebrated aspects of tourism, focusing on its potential downsides that are, somewhat ironically, entwined with its many benefits. Despite the ubiquity of tourism and its significance in today’s globalised world , it is crucial to address its potential for harm in the name of balance and long-term sustainability .

The downsides of tourism are numerous, encompassing aspects such as the environment, culture, economy, and social fabric of tourist destinations . Through this article we will delve into these impacts, seeking to not merely criticise, but also to inspire a rethinking of our attitudes and practices around tourism. By doing so, we endeavour to shed light on how we might navigate these complex issues and foster a more responsible and sustainable approach to tourism .

The disadvantages of tourism can be broken down into three categories: economic, environmental and social. I have summarised these below for you.

Now lets dig a bit deeper into the disadvantages of tourism outlined above one by one…

Environmental Disadvantages of Tourism

If responsible tourism practises are not employed, tourism can, and does, cause significant harm to the environment. I have outlined some of the most common examples of the environmental disadvantages, also known as environmental impacts of tourism , of tourism below for you.

Tourism often leads to deforestation and disruption of natural habitats to accommodate tourists , causing a significant loss of biodiversity. This could involve clearing land for accommodations or other facilities, thereby endangering flora and fauna unique to the area.

How can we mitigate or reduce this disadvantage of tourism?

Sustainable tourism practices, including limiting development in sensitive areas, promoting eco-tourism , and educating tourists about responsible travel , can help preserve natural habitats.

Tourism can strain natural resources, particularly water and food supplies, especially in regions where these resources are already scarce. The increased demand can lead to overexploitation, endangering the long-term availability of these resources.

Implementing resource management strategies, promoting the use of renewable resources, and encouraging tourists to respect local resources can help mitigate this issue.

Tourism contributes to various forms of pollution. Air pollution results from transport, noise pollution from increased activity, litter from irresponsible disposal of waste, and other types of pollution, all of which can degrade local environments and disturb wildlife.

Establishing and enforcing environmental regulations, utilising environmental impact surveys , promoting green travel options, and educating tourists about proper waste disposal can help reduce pollution.

High tourist traffic can cause physical damage to natural landscapes. For example, excessive hiking and foot traffic can lead to soil erosion and degradation of historic sites, damaging these irreplaceable resources.

Restricting access to vulnerable areas, creating designated pathways, and educating tourists about the importance of preserving these sites can help reduce erosion.

The carbon footprint from travel, especially air travel, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global climate change. Tourism’s contribution to climate change can have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems worldwide.

Promoting low-carbon transportation options , implementing carbon offset programs, and raising awareness about the environmental impacts of travel can help mitigate tourism’s contribution to climate change.

Human interaction can disturb the natural behaviour of wildlife. Some species may become overly dependent on human food sources, while others may react aggressively or retreat from their natural habitat, disrupting the balance of local ecosystems.

Educating tourists about respectful wildlife interaction, enforcing rules about feeding wildlife, and promoting non-intrusive wildlife viewing experiences can help to reduce disturbance.

Activities like snorkelling and diving can unintentionally damage delicate coral reefs . Additionally, increased boat traffic can lead to oil leaks and other pollution, posing a threat to marine life.

Implementing and enforcing marine protected areas, educating tourists about coral-friendly snorkelling and diving practices, and monitoring boat activity can help protect coral reefs.

Economic Disadvantages of Tourism

Unfortunately, there are many economic disadvantages of tourism, also known as negative economic impacts of tourism . I have outlined the most common below.

Tourism tends to be seasonal, often peaking during particular times of the year. This fluctuation can lead to periods of high employment followed by periods of widespread job loss, creating economic instability. This cyclical pattern can be challenging for local communities that heavily depend on tourism, making budgeting and financial stability a strenuous task.

Diversifying tourism offers, promoting off-peak travel and developing other forms of sustainable local industries can help smooth out the seasonal fluctuations of tourism and provide more stable employment.

The increased demand for goods and services during the tourist season often leads to price inflation . This surge in prices can result in an increased cost of living for local residents, making everyday goods and services more expensive and less accessible.

Implementation of policy measures to control inflation and monitoring of prices, especially of essential goods, during the peak season can help ensure that locals are not negatively impacted.

Regions that rely heavily on tourism can become economically vulnerable in the face of downturns in the industry. These downturns can be triggered by numerous factors such as natural disasters, political instability, global pandemics, or even changing travel trends. This economic fragility poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of local communities.

Diversifying the local economy by promoting and developing other industries can help reduce dependence on tourism and build economic resilience.

Often, a substantial proportion of the revenue generated by tourism does not benefit the local economy but ends up in the hands of foreign-owned businesses , such as international hotel chains and airlines. This phenomenon, known as revenue leakage, can undermine the local economic benefits of tourism.

Encouraging and investing in locally owned businesses and promoting local goods and services can help ensure that more of the tourism revenue stays within the local economy.

The economic benefits of tourism are often unevenly distributed within a community, exacerbating income disparities. More affluent regions or populations tend to gain more from tourism, while less affluent regions or marginalised populations gain less, exacerbating economic inequality.

Implementing policies and practices that promote equitable distribution of tourism revenue can help counter this problem. This might include investing in community-based tourism projects and ensuring fair wages for all tourism-related workers.

Investment in tourism-related infrastructure and services can lead to the neglect of other sectors of the local economy, potentially limiting overall economic development. The resources devoted to tourism could be used elsewhere, potentially offering better long-term economic outcomes.

Balanced investment in various sectors of the economy can help ensure broader economic development, reducing the opportunity costs associated with over-investment in tourism.

Over-dependence on tourism can lead to the neglect of other potential industries, limiting the diversification of the local economy. This lack of diversification can leave the local economy vulnerable to shocks in the tourism industry.

Diversifying the local economy by promoting various industries can help ensure economic stability even when tourism experiences downturns.

Tourism often drives environmental degradation and loss of natural resources, which have their own economic costs. These can include the expense of building infrastructure in sensitive areas, cleaning up pollution , and the lost opportunities for alternative uses of the land .

Implementing sustainable tourism practices that prioritise environmental conservation can help to reduce these costs. This includes regulating tourist activities in sensitive areas and investing in sustainable infrastructure.

Increased tourism can raise property prices and the cost of living, making it challenging for local residents to afford their community. As demand for properties increases with tourist influx, locals may be priced out of their own housing market.

Governments can implement regulations and controls on property prices, especially in regions that are experiencing or are at risk of high tourism-driven property inflation. Policies can also be put in place to ensure affordable housing for local residents is protected and preserved.

The commercialisation of local culture and traditions for the tourist market can lead to “ staged authenticity ,” where cultural activities are modified to cater to tourists. This commodification can potentially lead to the loss of cultural heritage and its inherent economic value, damaging the uniqueness that made the location attractive in the first place.

Policies that protect and promote the preservation of cultural heritage can help counter this effect. Additionally, educating tourists about the importance of preserving local culture and promoting authentic cultural exchanges can lead to more respectful and sustainable tourism practices.

Social Disadvantages of Tourism

There are also many social disadvantages of tourism, also known as social impacts of tourism , that need to be considered. I have outlined the major issues that are commonly encountered below.

The influx of tourists can lead to displacement of local populations and their cultural identities, resulting in a loss of cultural diversity . This phenomenon often results from the pressure to accommodate tourists and can erode the local way of life.

Respecting and protecting local cultures, promoting responsible tourism , and involving local communities in tourism planning can help mitigate cultural displacement.

The commercialisation of local customs and traditions for the tourist market can lead to the loss of cultural authenticity and exploitation of cultural heritage. Traditional practices may be transformed into spectacles for tourists, sometimes leading to staged and insincere representations.

Promoting cultural understanding and respect among tourists, supporting community-owned tourism initiatives, and setting guidelines for respectful cultural engagement can help preserve cultural authenticity .

An influx of tourists can lead to overcrowding, straining local facilities and infrastructure, and reducing the quality of life for local residents. This can create tension between tourists and local communities and degrade the visitor experience.

Implementing visitor management strategies, promoting off-peak travel, and developing infrastructure in a sustainable way can help manage overcrowding.

Some destinations may experience an increase in crime rates associated with tourism, including theft, drug trafficking, and exploitation. This can disrupt the local social fabric and lead to unsafe conditions for both tourists and locals.

Enforcing laws, ensuring adequate security measures, and educating tourists about safe practices can help curb crime associated with tourism.

Tourism can exacerbate social inequalities if the financial benefits of tourism are not evenly distributed within the community. This can lead to social tension and resentment within the local population .

Ensuring fair wages, promoting local ownership of tourism businesses, and implementing policies that promote the equitable distribution of tourism revenue can help address social inequality.

The presence of tourists can influence the behaviour and attitudes of local people, sometimes encouraging undesirable behaviours such as begging or petty crime. This can disrupt local norms and create social issues.

Promoting responsible tourism, involving local communities in decision-making processes, and ensuring that tourism benefits flow to the community can help reduce negative influences on local lifestyles.

In some cases, tourism can lead to the displacement of traditional industries, causing job loss among local populations. This can destabilise local economies and disrupt social structures.

Encouraging sustainable and inclusive tourism development that complements rather than replaces local industries can help preserve local employment.

An influx of tourists can increase demand for real estate, inflating property prices and potentially making it unaffordable for locals to own property in their own community. Companies such as Airbnb can exasperate this issue. This can lead to social displacement and exacerbate economic inequality.

Implementing policy measures to control property price inflation and ensuring affordable housing for locals can mitigate this impact.

How Can Destinations Balance The Disadvantages of Tourism With The Advantages of Tourism?

Balancing the disadvantages of tourism and advantages of tourism is a delicate task requiring thorough planning, strategic management, and conscious efforts from all stakeholders involved, including tourists, the local community, and the government. Below are some strategies that can help:

This approach focuses on minimising the disadvantages of tourism while maximising the advantages of tourism. These practices might include limiting the number of tourists allowed in a certain area at any one time, promoting off-peak travel, and supporting eco-tourism initiatives.

By involving local communities in the planning and decision-making processes, destinations can ensure tourism development aligns with local needs and values. This can also help distribute the economic benefits of tourism more evenly, reducing social inequality.

Raising awareness among tourists about the impacts of their behaviour can lead to more respectful and environmentally friendly behaviours. This can be achieved through informational campaigns, signage, and guidelines, all of which can help to reduce some of the disadvantages of tourism.

By promoting other sectors of the economy alongside tourism, destinations can mitigate the risk of over-dependence on tourism and provide alternative employment options for local communities.

Governments can establish regulations and policies to manage the disadvantages of tourism. This might include zoning laws to protect sensitive environments, regulations to prevent exploitation of cultural heritage, and policies to ensure equitable distribution of tourism revenue.

Thoughtful and sustainable infrastructure development can manage the influx of tourists, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance the quality of life for local residents.

Taking a long-term perspective in tourism development can help balance immediate economic benefits with the need to preserve a destination’s cultural and natural resources for future generations.

Given the unpredictability of tourism demand , adaptable management strategies can help destinations respond to changes and mitigate negative impacts. This might involve regular monitoring of tourism impacts, feedback mechanisms, and flexibility in policy implementation.

By adopting these strategies, destinations can work towards a more balanced and sustainable tourism model that reaps the benefits of tourism while managing the disadvantages of tourism.

As you can see, there are unfortunately many disadvantages of tourism. However, just because these disadvantages of tourism currently exist, doesn’t mean that have to continue. With adequate planning, policies and governance and with sustainability principles and long-term planning at the forefront of our minds, we can limit the disadvantages of tourism significantly.

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Kim Molnar, director of tourism with the Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce, in front of the Greetings from Prineville mural by Katie Daisy and Karen Eland in Prineville on Wednesday. "We have been looking at what would draw someone here in terms of travel," Molnar said. "We're doing a lot of background work. We're asking the question of what draws people here and what they want to do."

• Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin
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The Caboose Park at the A.R. Bowman Memorial Museum in Prineville on Wednesday.

Main Street in downtown Prineville on Wednesday. A survey of 199 Crook County residents in 2023 showed that 72% of the community believed Prineville could be positioned as a tourist destination. Some concerns raised by respondents included congestion, overcrowding and the affect on the environment. 

Kim Molnar, director of tourism with the Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce in Prineville on Wednesday.

The Pine Theater in Prineville on Wednesday.

The Meadow Lakes Golf Course in Prineville on Wednesday.

The Crook County Courthouse in Prineville on Wednesday.

Prineville hopes to boost its economy by promoting tourism

Suzanne Roig

Suzanne Roig has been a reporter with The Bulletin since 2018 covering business and health in the region. When she's not working she enjoys taking her dog Pono out on hikes.

• Author email
• Apr 14, 2024

Move over Bend, Sunriver and Sisters. Prineville wants to become a tourism destination, as well.

Bend has its outdoor recreation. Sisters has its folk and quilt festivals. And Sunriver has its resort setting. But Prineville officials say the city offers an equally attractive range of visitor attractions: wide open spaces, gravel bike riding trails and a dark skies destination for stargazers.

Just last week, Wanderlust Tours took 17 people to Prineville for an evening of stargazing. Prineville Reservoir is home to an International Dark Sky Park . It’s not the first time the tour company organized a visit to Prineville, said Courtney Braun, co-owner of Wanderlust Tours.

“I’ve so enjoyed watching Prineville grow as a destination. With more dark skies diminishing across the county, we are seeing an increased demand for non-light polluted areas,” Braun said. “People are craving the vastness and complexity that the night skies offer.”

Soon, the tour company hopes to offer overnight trips for night sky gazing, Ochoco Mountain hiking, and a visit to the Bowman Museum, she said.

“There’s so much out there and with less people,” Braun said.

“We’re hoping to create an itinerary that’s robust enough to get people to spend a whole weekend out there.”

A survey of Prineville residents in 2023 found that a majority of those surveyed believe the benefits of tourism outweigh the negatives, according to Explore Prineville, the newly formed destination marketing organization sponsored by the Prineville Chamber of Commerce.

“Honestly, I was surprised by the response,” said Kim Molnar, executive director of Explore Prineville. “We have a generation of people who are born and raised here and don’t want things to change. We need to protect our culture and our environment. We are not looking to overrun our community.

“Prineville is still pretty much a small town.”

Generating revenue and jobs

Tourism could bring new jobs as businesses develop to a support industry, such as coffee shops, accommodations, boutiques and restaurants. Prineville City Manager Steve Forrester sees tourism as a way to boost the economy of a city that once relied heavily on timber.

“As a city, our primary focus is creating family-wage jobs and supporting Prineville’s economic growth,” Forrester said. “We certainly value the role tourism plays in showcasing all our community has to offer.”

Tourists pay an 8.5% state lodging tax for any stay shorter than 30 days in Prineville. A portion of the funds collected by the visitor tax pays for tourism-related marketing and promotion and the rest pay for county services.

In 2022, 5.2 million people visited Central Oregon, according to the most recent report from Dean Runyan Associates Oregon Travel Impacts . Those visitors spent $1 billion dollars, according to Visit Central Oregon, the region’s destination marketing agency.

In 2021, the year data are most current, Prineville’s 228 hotel rooms and other visitor accommodations collected $380,000 in transient occupancy taxes. By comparison, the county collected $339,000, according to Travel Oregon .

Bend collected $14.6 million in transient occupancy taxes, according to Travel Oregon.

While the hotel room tax revenue is low in Prineville, tourism has been known as a leading economic driver for many communities in Oregon.

Current Oregon law calls for 70% of the transient occupancy taxes collected to be used to market a community and facilities, while the balance can be be added to a municipality’s general fund. Some cities, however, have a different equation for how room taxes are spent.

In Bend, for example, its transient room tax was in place before 2003 and the city spends the bulk, 64.5%, to fund fund police and fire, and 35.4% goes to Visit Bend for tourism promotion and facilities, said Allie Gardner, Travel Oregon industry communications manager.

“Visit Central Oregon was encouraged to learn about the positive community sentiment from Prineville for welcoming visitors,” said Kristine McConnell, Visit Central Oregon vice president regional programs. “This speaks well to the work and messaging that Molnar and her team are doing at Explore Prineville for showing the value of tourism and its economic impact in their community and Central Oregon.”

The survey of 199 Crook County residents in 2023 showed that 72% of the community believed that Prineville could be positioned as a tourist destination. Some concerns raised by respondents included congestion, overcrowding and the affect on the environment. Armed with this information, a plan could be developed to market in way that would protect the community’s integrity, Molnar said.

“We have been looking at what would draw someone here in terms of travel,” Molnar said. “We’re doing a lot of background work. We’re asking the question of what draws people here and what they want to do.”

The results of the survey reflect a destination that is just developing, said Todd Montgomery, Oregon State University-Cascades hospitality management instructor and executive in residence.

“They’re in the early stage development of tourism and the community tends to have a lot of support,” Montgomery said. “There’s a lot of room to grow and a lot of opportunity. The survey also shows that the community is focused on developing economic opportunity.”

Places to go and see

Linda English, who with her husband, Kevin English, created an app for bicyclists who prefer to ride on gravel roads, said the U.S. Forest Service’s gravel roads offer some of the best bike riding experiences in Oregon.

“There’s no one on them,” said Linda English. “It’s incredible. There’s a lot of open space to ride. There’s wildflowers in the spring, antelope and wild mustangs.”

The more people come to Prineville, the more hotels will be built. With only 316 hotel rooms in the county, including Brasada Ranch, accommodations could pose a constraint on expanding tourism, Molnar said.

But Molnar believes that the more visitors who come and stay overnight, the more attractive it will be to new hotel properties looking to expand their reach. Currently two national hotel chains have properties in Prineville, she said.

“We have a mix of properties here,” Molnar said. “We also have RV sites and cabins to rent at the Prineville Reservoir state park.”

Reporter: 541-633-2117,

[email protected]

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