How ‘trashy’ tourism threatens world-famous destinations

Summary

The script highlights the environmental impact of tourism, noting a surge in international arrivals to 1.4 billion annually, a stark contrast to 25 million seventy years ago. It discusses the challenges of waste management, especially at popular sites like Everest, where 4.8 million tons of trash are produced yearly. The script calls for increased tourist awareness, sustainable practices by lodges and restaurants, and the development of recycling technologies. It emphasizes the collective responsibility of the global community to address the growing trash problem at tourist destinations.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Tourism is a massive industry with approximately 1.4 billion international arrivals annually, a significant increase from 25 million 70 years ago.
• 💰 The growth of tourism can greatly benefit local economies but also leads to environmental issues, particularly waste management.
• 🗑️ Solid waste from tourists, which accounts for 14% of the 4.8 million tons of trash produced yearly, poses a significant problem for popular destinations.
• 🏔️ Iconic sites like Mount Everest, Machu Picchu, and Stonehenge are struggling with the increased trash left behind by visitors.
• 🏠 The concept of visiting someone else's home should encourage tourists to be mindful of their actions and treat the environment with respect.
• 🚫 Some sites, like Boracay Island in the Philippines and the Everest base camp, have had to close temporarily to address the trash accumulation.
• 🚀 The accessibility of tourism has increased dramatically over the past few decades, making it easier and more affordable for people to travel.
• 🌐 The rise in disposable society attitudes has contributed to the increase in trash, with items like water bottles being discarded carelessly.
• 🔄 There is a call for increased awareness among tourists and the development of sustainable waste management and recycling technologies.
• 🏨 The responsibility to address the issue of waste falls on all stakeholders, including tourists, lodges, restaurants, hotels, and tourist landmarks.
• ♻️ Implementing circular economy approaches is suggested to transform both consumption and production practices in the tourism industry.

Q & A

How many international arrivals are there per year according to the transcript?

There are about 1.4 billion international arrivals per year.

What was the number of international arrivals approximately seventy years ago compared to now?

The number was only twenty-five million less than it is today.

Why can tourism be problematic for local economies despite its benefits?

Tourism can leave behind a significant amount of trash and waste, which can be difficult for local economies to manage.

Who is Alton Byers, and what has he been doing for the past 40 years?

Alton Byers has been visiting Everest every year for the last 40 years and is working to develop waste management strategies in the villages near Everest.

How much trash do tourists produce per year, and what percentage of that is solid waste?

Tourists produce 4.8 million tons of trash per year, and 14 percent of that is solid waste.

Which famous sites are mentioned as struggling with an increase of trash left behind by tourists?

Mount Everest, Machu Picchu, and Stonehenge are mentioned as sites struggling with an increase of trash left behind by tourists.

Why have some tourist sites had to shut their doors to visitors?

Some sites have had to shut their doors to tourists to take care of the pile-up of trash that has accumulated.

What has made tourism more accessible today compared to 10, 20, or 30 years ago?

Tourism has become more accessible due to its affordability and ease of traveling, which was not as easy or affordable in the past.

What role does the disposable society approach play in the increase of trash at tourist sites?

The disposable society approach, where it's easy to get and discard items like water bottles, contributes to the increase of trash at tourist sites.

What actions are suggested to address the growing pile of trash at tourist sites?

The transcript suggests increasing tourists' awareness, developing recycling technologies, and adopting circular economy approaches that transform both consumption and production sides.

Who are the stakeholders that need to be involved in tackling the trash problem at tourist sites?

Stakeholders include tourists, tour companies, accommodation providers, restaurants, hotels, and tourist landmarks.