WHAT IS TOURISM?
The definition of tourism is the business of providing entertainment, transport or places to stay for someone who is on holiday. A tourist can be someone who comes from a different country, or just a different town.
TOURISM IN AFRICA
Tourism is hugely important in Africa. Beaches, wildlife, history and the culture of African countries makes it attractive to tourists. There are animals such as lions, that are found nowhere else apart from in Africa. There are many different landscapes in Africa such as cities, beaches and mountains. This is good for different activities, for example walking, swimming and safaris.
WILDLIFE TOURISM
Wildlife tourism is seeing wild animals in their natural habitat. Many countries do not have lots of wildlife, especially big land animals. So, people like to come and see animals that they have only seen in documentaries on TV. Wildlife tourism is also known as conservation tourism.
BENEFITS OF WILDLIFE TOURISM TO PEOPLE
There are many benefits to wildlife tourism. It can benefit the whole of the country by the tourists spreading the word about Africa. They will go home and recommend the country to their friends. This means that more people will come on holiday to Africa to learn and enjoy the beauty. It can benefit the people in towns and villages too. Tourism provides lots of good jobs. These jobs can be as hotel managers, safari guides, cleaners, restaurant waiters and many more. This gives the people a constant income and the money can be used to support families.
Many people can get jobs indirectly through tourism. People that sell African crafts or make traditional foods often sell to tourists. Tourists enjoy trying out a new experience of African culture and like to spend money on this experience.
BENEFITS OF WILDLIFE TOURISM TO ANIMALS
Unlike through hunting, animals are not killed in wildlife tourism. This is beneficial as the number of animals will then not decrease. Animals and humans need each other! Goats provide milk. Cattle provide help to farms. Elephants are also important in shaping the environment. They trample on the ground and allow new plants to grow there.
The money that tourists pay to see the animals goes towards the people. The money also goes towards protecting these animals and making sure they are healthy. This may be giving them medicine for a disease or stopping hunters killing the animals. Protecting the animals is beneficial for everyone. If there are no animals, then tourists won’t be able to come and see them in the wild.
If there are fewer hunters, then tourism will do better. Wildlife tourism in Africa is providing business to many people and saving the animals at the same time!
What subjects are expected to study tourism