Island states and the problems of mass tourism

Abstract

During the last few decades tourism has moved towards the forefront of environmental, cultural and social concerns on a global scale. The magnitude and intensity of visitors able and willing to visit all corners of the earth has resulted in tourism being regarded as a seriously destructive power. Congestion, noise, litter, environmental deterioration and cultural degradation are some examples of suggested outcomes of tourism. Advances in technology, increases in personal disposable income and educational influences have created the opportunities for considerable numbers to travel to areas which were previously within the reach of mainly high socio-economic groups or were totally inaccessible due to the lack of development and infrastructure. This shift to large volumes of tourists and the ability to reach almost any destination have paved the way to suggestions that mass tourism creates such damage.