Why Tourism Is Important for Economy?

By Anna Duncan

Tourism is a vital component of any economy. It has the power to generate revenue, create jobs, and drive economic growth. In this article, we will explore why tourism is important for the economy.

Revenue Generation

Tourism can generate significant revenue for a country’s economy. When tourists visit a place, they spend money on accommodation, food, transportation, shopping and other activities.

This spending boosts the local businesses and creates income for the local people. The more tourists that visit a place, the more revenue can be generated for the economy.

Example

For example, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2019 travel and tourism contributed around 10.4% of global GDP (gross domestic product) and supported 319 million jobs worldwide.

Job Creation

Tourism is also an excellent source of job creation. When there is an increase in tourist arrivals, there is an increase in demand for services such as transportation, accommodation, food and beverage services and many others. This creates job opportunities not just in these sectors but also in supporting industries like retail stores or souvenir shops.

For example, in 2019 tourism directly supported 127 million jobs globally according to WTTC.

Infrastructure Development

The development of infrastructure such as airports, hotels, restaurants etc., are essential for promoting tourism. As tourism grows in an area so does its infrastructure requirements which benefits not just tourists but also locals who can use these facilities.

For example, In Dubai where tourism is one of its main sources of income – the government has invested heavily into developing airports like Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport which have become major hubs connecting passengers from different parts of the world.

Cultural Exchange

Tourism also promotes cultural exchange. When people from different parts of the world visit a place, they experience a new culture, meet new people and learn about different traditions. This helps in fostering mutual respect and understanding among different cultures.

For example, when tourists visit India they get to experience its diverse culture which includes different religions, languages and cuisines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tourism is an essential component of any economy as it generates revenue, creates jobs and drives economic growth. It also helps in promoting cultural exchange which leads to mutual respect and understanding among different cultures. Therefore, governments should invest in promoting tourism in their countries to reap its economic benefits.