Why Tourism Is Described as Economic?

By Alice Nichols

Tourism is often referred to as an economic activity due to its significant contribution to a country’s economy. It involves the movement of people from one place to another for recreational, leisure, business, or other purposes. The following article explains why tourism is described as economic and the various ways it impacts the economy.

Foreign Exchange Generation

One of the primary reasons why tourism is considered an economic activity is that it contributes significantly to foreign exchange generation. Tourists visiting a country bring in foreign currency, which can be used to pay for goods and services. This foreign currency helps boost the country’s reserves, which strengthens its economy and enables it to trade with other nations.

Employment Generation

Tourism also generates employment opportunities in various sectors such as hospitality, transportation, food and beverage, travel agencies, etc. The industry provides jobs not only for locals but also for people from other regions or countries. This creates a multiplier effect whereby employees spend their wages on goods and services within the community, thereby creating additional jobs.

Infrastructure Development

The tourism industry also plays a vital role in infrastructure development. To attract tourists, countries invest in improving their infrastructure such as airports, roads, railways, hotels and resorts. These investments help create better transport systems that are not only beneficial for tourists but also for locals.

Revenue Generation

Tourism generates revenue for both the government and private sector through taxes such as sales tax on goods and services purchased by tourists or hotel tax charged on room rates. This revenue can then be used by the government to develop public infrastructure such as schools and hospitals or fund social welfare programs.

Promotion of Culture

Tourism promotes cultural exchange between different countries and communities. Tourists get an opportunity to experience different cultures by visiting museums, historical sites or participating in cultural festivals. This exchange promotes mutual understanding and appreciation of different cultures and promotes peace and harmony.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tourism is described as an economic activity due to its significant contribution to a country’s economy. It generates foreign exchange, creates employment opportunities, promotes infrastructure development, generates revenue for the government and private sector and promotes cultural exchange. Therefore, it is essential for countries to invest in their tourism industry to reap the benefits it has to offer.