2
TOURISM IMPACT ON SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
1 CAREERS IN TOURISM
1.1 Employment in tourism
1.2 Job application – How to get a job
2 ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Positive effects of Tourism on the Environment
2.2 Negative effects of Tourism on the Environment
2.2.1 Effects on Natural Environment
2.2.2 Effects on Built Environment
2.2.3 Impact on Socio-Cultural Environment
3 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
3.1 Sustainable Development
3.2 Sustainable Tourism
3.3 Ecotourism
Questions and Topics for Discussion
- Explain the labour-intensive nature of tourism.
- How is tourism similar to most other service industries?
- What types of professional and practical skills are required in tourism?
- What qualifications are needed for different jobs in tourism?
- Explain the principles of sustainable tourism development.
- In what ways can tourism have an impact on the environment?
- Identify the positive environmental impacts that may result from tourism.
- What criteria should ecotourism fulfil?
- Explain the sociocultural effects of tourism on indigenous populations and tourists.
1 CAREERS IN TOURISM
1.1 Employment in tourism
The main positive economic impacts of tourism relate to foreign exchange earnings, contributions to government revenues, and generation of employment and business opportunities.
The rapid expansion of international tourism has led to significant employment creation. Tourism can generate jobs directly through hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, taxis, and souvenir sales, and indirectly through the supply of goods and services needed by tourism-related businesses.
The hotels, catering and tourism sector is among the top-job creating sectors because of its labour intensive nature (it employs a higher proportion of people in comparison to the number it serves) and the significant multiplier effect on employment in other related sectors.
However, the sector has a reputation of poor working conditions due to a number of factors: it is a fragmented industry with a majority of employers small and medium sized enterprises with low union density, and work characterized by low wages and low levels of skill requirements, shift and night work and seasonality.
Tourism industries are largely labour intensive and provide jobs for many people. The range of jobs is very wide, from unskilled, like a dish washer in a restaurant to semi-skilled, such as a waiter or a chambermaid to skilled, like a travel agent or a statistician. So they include well trained professionals, but also a large number of workers with difficulties to find a job elsewhere, such as newcomers to the labour market (young people and migrants), women with family responsibilities who can only work part time, and workers with little qualification in general. Tourism provides working people with income and experience, and therefore contributes to their social inclusion and personal development.
Developments in technology are affecting labour opportunities in employment. Computer reservation systems are replacing manual systems and as a result fewer agents are working in airlines and hotel chains. The increasing use of the Internet for reservations has also reduced numbers of travel agencies are airline offices. Call centres are replacing branches, often situated in low-wage countries. The success of the tourism industry relies on the supply of a skilled labour force to serve the needs of the tourists.
1.2 Job application – How to get a job
Whether you are looking for your very first job, switching careers, or re-entering the job market after an extended absence finding a job requires two main tasks: understanding yourself and understanding the job market.
When you're looking for work, spread your search as wide as possible. There are many places to look:
- the internet
- newspapers
- job centres
- trade journal/ trade magazines
- networking – word of mouth
- recruitment agencies
- job fairs
It is important to take the time to write targeted CVs and cover letters that specifically link your qualifications to the hiring criteria for the jobs you are applying for. Research the company before you go for the interview, dress appropriately, practice answering and asking interview questions, and make a concerted effort to impress the interviewer with your skills, experience, confidence, and expertise.
Common interview questions for college graduates
1. Why did you choose to make an application to our company?
2. Describe your ideal job.
3. What can you offer us?
4. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
5. What skills have you developed?
6. How has your college experience prepared you for a business career?
7. What did you enjoy most about your last employment?
8. Why should we hire you rather than another candidate?
9. Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your initiative?
10. Why did you select your college or university?
11. What do you know about our company (product or service)?
12. Have you ever worked to deadlines? When?
13. How do you feel about working overtime?
14. How do you feel about travel?
15. What problems have you solved in your previous positions?
16. Are you willing to work flexitime?
17. Define success and failure.
18. How did you get along with your former professors (supervisors and co-workers)?
19. Do you have any computer experience?
20. Have you ever spoken to a group of people? How large?
2 ENVIRONMENT
Environment is mostly considered under three headings: natural, built and cultural.
The natural environment includes air, water, flora, fauna, soil, natural landscape and climate.
The built environment includes urban fabric, buildings, monuments, infrastructure, parks, landscapes and open spaces.
The cultural environment includes values, beliefs, moral, behaviour, arts and historyof communities.
The environmental problems can be classified into two types: resource depletion problem: renewable and non-renewable and pollution problems.
The nature of environmental problems:
|
Problems |
Local |
Global |
|
Resource depletion - Renewable - Non-renewable |
- Deforestation - Coal mining |
- Depletion of fish stocks in international waters - Depletion of ozone layer |
|
Environmental pollution - Air - Water |
- smog - ground and surface water contamination |
- acid rain - industrial pollution of international waters and rivers flowing across countries |
Environment performs the following functions:
supplier of natural goods such as beautiful landscape, mountains, lakes and the like, forming the core of the tourism product;
provider of natural resources used to create economic goods.
The peculiar feature of tourism is that it offers environment as a part of its product. Therefore, the quality of the tourism product is dependent on quality of environment to a larger extent.
Tourism leaves both positive and negative effects on the environment.
2.1 Positive effects of Tourism on the Environment
Economic benefits to the society: flow in the form of foreign exchange earnings, direct and indirect employment opportunities created due to the development of tourism and the associated infrastructure, and the resultant income multiplier effects. It also leads to increased government revenues in the form of various kinds of taxes levied on tourism activities.
Improvement and preservation of parks and cultural heritage properties (e.g. national parks)
The tourism activities also led to better resource availability for construction of infrastructure and maintenance of heritage properties and parks due to combined effect of three factors. First, as the historical monuments, nature parks and cultural traditions are projected to attract tourists, there is an increased allocation of resources for their maintenance and publicity from the government.
Tourism also promotes cross-cultural exchanges with tourists and resident population learning more about each other’s culture.
2.2 Negative effects of Tourism on the Environment
2.2.1 Effects on Natural Environment
The negative impacts can be studied into three classifications namely, natural, built, and cultural environment.
The effects of tourism activity on ecological balance of the area can be studied in the following sub-heads:
effects due to tourism infrastructure,
effects due to tourists.
Effects due to tourism infrastructure
The most significant source of tourism-induced impacts on ecosystems is the spread of tourism and recreation infrastructure. It not only puts strain on already scarce land, but also, due to digging and increased extraction of local building materials, causes irreversible damages to the landscape. Creation of tourism infrastructure requires a lot of space, which is often provided at the expense of ecosystems. Both built infrastructure as well as tourist facilities and activities are created replacing the natural vegetation.
The intrusion of mass tourism has been facilitated by the construction of paved roads that have the capacity to bring thousands of tourists. It is believed that this single factor has caused problems of air pollution, noise, traffic jams, dust, and devastation of vegetative cover resulting in erosion.
The extent of damage depends on the type of activity being promoted in the area. However, the intensity of damage may depend on the carrying capacity of the area.
Effects due to tourists
The vegetation cover can also be damaged due to trampling by walkers or crushing by tourist vehicles. Hikers, trackers and mountaineers approach the areas left by roads and off road traffic. They can penetrate into the places inaccessible by mechanical means. The damages caused due to this activity may be of four types namely: soil erosion caused due to trampling, deforestation caused due to fuel requirements, threat to wildlife, and threat to cultures.
Effects on Pollution
The pollution caused by the industry is of four types: water, air, noise pollution, and disposal of wastes.
Water pollution occurs due to the discharge of untreated water, inorganic and organic wastes and sewage. One of the major causes of water pollution caused by tourism industry is discharge or dumping of oil, petrol, inorganic and organic wastes by hotel units and means of water transport. The other main reasons for water pollution are fertilizers and nutrients used for maintenance of lawns and golf courses and tourist cruises, ships and boats. In many coastal waters the source of water pollution are hotels and resorts that dump raw or inadequately treated sewage.
Though the industry is generally believed to be a smokeless industry, air pollution can accompany tourism developments in a number of ways:
during the construction of buildings and other tourist facilities and associated infrastructure
burning of fossil fuels for providing power and heating
the form of transportation used by the tourists – air, water, road
Noise pollution occurs mainly due to increased traffic, (water) sport activities, loud tourists and music in restaurants and discos.
the problem of littering and solid waste disposal reaches crisis proportions in areas frequented by the tourist.
Effects on Erosion
The most significant physical damage to soils in fragile environments, such as deserts, dry-lands and mountains is caused due to three reasons:
the construction of tourist infrastructure
tourist activities: camping, trekking and mountaineering causing trampling leading to soil erosion
the associated increase in transport activities and construction of roads causing soil damages.
Visual Effects
The visual impact may be caused due to three reasons:
littering (abandoned aluminium cans, oxygen bottles, and foodstuff)
sewage
poorly sited and constructed buildings
2.2.2 Effects on Built Environment
The effects of tourism on built environment can be classified into two types. These are effects on:
architectural facade
change of land use
Mass tourism development is generally associated with poorly designed, sited and constructed buildings and other facilities. The problem becomes very complex in heritage towns where there is a risk of change of the architectural facade of the towns. The use of indigenous and natural building materials to the extent possible should be used. Ensuring a suitable landscaping is equally important. This may be absolutely required in rural resorts and hotel sin order to offer an environment, which integrates with the local setting.
Large-scale construction of infrastructure and tourist facilities leads to change of land use in the area, which may be harmful for the local ecological balance (turning agricultural areas into tourism areas). However, there can be some positive effects due to changes in land use led by tourism (trekking routes).
2.2.3 Impact on Socio-Cultural Environment
The impact of tourism development on socio-cultural environment can be studied under two classifications: impacts on tourists and on the host population.
Impacts on Tourists
The major impact on tourists that emerges is on the quality of recreational experience. There is a degree of intensity of use of recreational resources, which the tourists are willing to accept. Overcrowding may force some people to consider the experience no longer worth having, that is the repeat visits will fall substantially.
Impacts on the Host Population
It has both positive and negative consequences.
Positive consequences of tourism:
- creating employment and wealth
- providing facilities which meet the host community’s needs
- preserving local traditions and customs
Negative consequences of tourism:
- decline in traditions
- increase in crime rates
- social conflicts
- crowding
- environmental deterioration
- loss of identity of traditional cultures - leading to commercialism
3 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The need for sustainability has emerged with the rebirth of environmentalism.
3.1 Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
There are many differences on definitions of sustainable development, the focus is essentially is on growth equity and environment. There are several sub issues involved in sustainable development. The major points are the following:
- the role of economic growth in promoting human well-being
- the impact and importance of human population growth
- the effective existence of environmental limits of growth
- the sustainability of natural resources with human made capital created through economic growth and technological innovations
- the differential interpretation of criticality of various components of the natural resource base and, therefore, the potential for substitution
- the ability of technologies to decouple economic growth and unwanted environmental side effects
- the meaning of the value attributed to the natural world and the rights of non-human species.
3.2 Sustainable Tourism
The term has been introduced in the context of the wider debate about environmental sustainability. The current interpretations involve the following issues and should be considered for small- and large scale tourism:
meeting the needs and wants of the host community in terms of improved living standards, and quality of life both in short and long term,
satisfying the demands of a growing number of tourists and of the tourism industry and to continue to attract them in order to fulfil the first aim,
safeguard the environmental resource base of tourism, encompassing natural, built, and cultural components in order to achieve both of the preceding aims,
Maintaining or enhancing the competitiveness and viability of the tourism industry.
3.3 Ecotourism
World Tourism Organisation (1993) defines Ecotourism as:
’Tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified object of studying, admiring and enjoying scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects (both of the past and the present) found in the areas.’
Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveller, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavour by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Generally, ecotourism deals with living parts of the natural environments. Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is intended to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.
There are seven characteristics of ecotourism:
- Involves travel to natural destinations
- Minimizes impact
- Builds environmental awareness
- Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
- Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- Respects local culture
- Supports human rights and democratic movements such as:
- conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection
- promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations
- sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous peoples by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises
- tourism to unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern.
- minimization of tourism's own environmental impact
- affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury
- local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions
- local people benefit from this form of tourism economically, often more than mass tourism
Sample CV
Anita Szeles
4002 Debrecen
Cívisköz 73.
Home:+ 36 52 317 4532
Mobile: +36 70 213 996
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
OBJECTIVE
A challenging position within the travel industry.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Ten years of experience in the travel industry.
Thorough knowledge of reservation systems and transactions processing, including Sabre.
Strong customer service skills, with the ability to diffuse difficult situations.
Proficient in general office duties, including Microsoft Office and QuickBooks Accounting.
EXPERIENCE
September 1996 - Present
Airticketmaster, Budapest
Support Agent
Issue tickets and ensure correct formatting/dates of tickets processed
Book hotel and rental car reservations for various corporate clients
Use Sabre and other on-line engines to process tickets
Create packages that are unique to Airticketmaster
Respond to customer service requests and assist travellers with all needs
March 1994 – September 1996
Bluedanube River Cruises, Budapest
Sales Representative
Booked travel on Hungary’s highest rated luxury river cruise line
Assisted discerning guests choose cabin accommodation
Provided corporate booking services to company sales groups
Worked with a partner travel agency to arrange special packages
Assisted with the managing of the office
February 1990 – March 1999
Civis Tours, Debrecen
Tour Guide
Acted as bus tour guide for a tour company in Debrecen
Presented city information to domestic and international tourists as well as student groups
Learned Spanish as a second language as part of the job training
Assisted the Office Manager with general duties
EDUCATION
Budapest Business School, 1990
Course for Advanced Tourism Management 1989
(coursework in marketing completed)
Vocational Secondary School for Foreign Trade, Debrecen 1985
REFERENCES
Furnished upon request.
Covering letter
12, Szilasligetifasor
1134 Budapest
Hungary
36 1 234 567
12 November 2005
Mr. John Smith, Director
Marketing and Public Relations
National Non-Profit Association
1234 Farnam Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68112
Dear Mr. Smith
I am applying for the Marketing/Public Relations Intern position advertised in the 44 issue of the Budapest Business Journal. As shown in the enclosed resume, I have a strong academic background in Business Administration and expect to graduate in January 2006.
My current work as Advertising Coordinator for our monthly student newspaper has given me firsthand experience in the challenges associated with the development and implementation of a successful marketing/advertising campaign. In addition, I have excellent creative writing and communication skills, as demonstrated by my successful experience in the publication of a weekly in-house newsletter during my internship at Pesti Est (What’s on in Budapest?).
This background, combined with over five years of general business experience, has given me a unique perspective that would be particularly valuable in meeting the responsibilities of this position, as described in your advertisement. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this position and my qualifications in more detail and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely
TamásBogáti
TamásBogáti
Enclosure
Letter of application
17 Fűzfautca
Budapest
Mr G Brown 1025
HR manager
Insightexpress Inc.
Buda Business Center
Budapest
1027, Budapest
Kapás u. 11-15
6October 2005
Dear Mr Brown
I am writing in response to your recent advertisement in the Budapest Business Journal for a trainee market research analyst. I am in the final year of a four year degree course in International Marketing at the Budapest Business School and will graduate in June 2006.
As you can see from my enclosed CV, I have gained considerable knowledge and experience of market research and besides my native Hungarian, I also speak English fluently, which I hope would be an asset to an international firm like Insightexpress. During my studies I have chosen options in both Marketing and Market Research and, in my final year, I undertook an ambitious and demanding research project that looked at the differences between British and Hungarian consumers’ purchasing habits. This involved travel, interviews, data collection and analysis; an important introduction to some of the key features of a career in market research. My vacation job, with TNS Market Research Company, confirmed my commitment to this career and gave me additional practical experience.
As well as having relevant knowledge and experience, I believe I possess the personal qualities that you ask for in your advertisement. I have shown imagination and creativity, especially when trying to stimulate bored Hungarian business executives and sell canoeing trips to sceptical students. I am a good communicator and have seized every opportunity to give presentations both inside and outside University. I have the analytical skills you seek, demonstrated by a good Maths A level, relevant undergraduate courses and a demanding and responsible vacation job. Finally, I have shown myself to be motivated by business and want to be part of a successful international organisation.
To learn more about market research, I have attended careers fairs, talked to practitioners and read recruitment brochures. I first learnt of InsightexpressInc at an evening presentation at the Tourism Expo 2005 and I was impressed with the enthusiasm of the staff I met. But what made me determined to apply was your absolute commitment to training and development, which, as I have learnt from my degree, are the prerequisites of a growing business.
I am available for work from next January and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
Gabriella Hegyi
Hegyi Gabriella (Miss)
Encl: CV
Application for internship
H-1083 Budapest
Múzeumkrt. 23.
Hungary
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
September 17, 2005
Stacey’s Restaurant
26 London Street
Paddington
London, W2 1HH
Subject: Letter of Application for Internship
To Whom It May Concern
I was first informed about the possibility of internship at Stacy’s Restaurant as a catering student from my instructor. Dr. Evelyn Mentes, Professor of Nutritional Sciences, urged me to consider applying for this great opportunity. During my years both at a secondary school and college, I have obtained experience in all areas of food preparation and for my work placement in the summer of 2006 I would like to work at a catering establishment which can further stimulate my professional development.
I am currently in the final year of my studies at the Budapest Business School pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Catering and Hotel Management. During my graduate studies I have taken numerous catering-related courses and many electives that have afforded me with the necessary skills to work in the catering industry. These courses have provided specific skills and training to allow me to work in hotels, restaurants, catering, consultancy, casinos, events facilities such as exhibition spaces, marketing, tourism product management, tour operators, airlines and regional tourism organisations.
Last summer I worked for the Number One Café, the popular biker’s catering establishment in London. As a member of a professional team, I had to plan, prepare, set up and provide quality service in all areas of food production for lunch and dinner menu items and specials in accordance with standards and specifications. My work also involved reading and following menus and recipes and to carry out basic mathematical calculations. I was able to put into practice many things that I learned through my studies.
I am enclosing a copy of my curriculum vitae, as you requested in your advertisement. I have also enclosed a copy of the names and phone numbers of my referees as requested, and they will be happy to have you contact them at your convenience.
I hope very much that you will offer me the opportunity of an interview. You can reach me by telephone at home (303/555-3456) in the afternoons after five; if you call earlier, I do have an answering machine on which you can leave a message, and I will return your call promptly. Please let me know if I can provide any further information.
Sincerely,
LiliHeves
LiliHeves (Miss)
Enclosure
Letter of resignation
June 2, 2005
Alfred Shrimpton
Director, Marketing
Tra-Well International Inc.
1085 Budapest
Rákócziút 1-3.
Dear Mr Shrimpton
This is to advise you that I have accepted the position of Marketing Manager, with Help-Me-Go Marketing Ltd, in their newly opened Budapest office. Accordingly, please regard this as my official letter of resignation.
My last day of work here will be June 28, 2005. This will give me three full weeks from next Monday to complete the current marketing program design that I have recently been putting the finishing touches to. In addition, during this period I will be able to bring both you, and my deputy Peter Sebes, up-to-speed on all of the operations and outstanding issues in my department.
I am very much looking forward to the professional challenge being offered to me by Help-Me-Go Marketing Ltd, which as you know, is the market leader in its field. Incidentally, during the recruiting process, the Help-Me-Go people were very impressed with the experience and knowledge that I had gained here at Tra-Well International Inc. over the past five years.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you as my supervisor, as well as to my many friends and colleagues at Tra-Well International Inc. I have truly enjoyed my years working with all of you, and am grateful for the many learning and development I was given over the years.
I wish all of you at Tra-Well International Inc. continued success.
Sincerely
ElekHazay
ElekHazay
UNIT 2
Tourism Impact on Society and the Environment
The main positive economic impacts of tourism relate to foreign exchange earnings, contributions to government revenues, and generation of employment and business opportunities. It is labour-intensive, offering a wide range of jobs and a source of employment for youth, women and immigrants. The working conditions are very often precarious and should be improved.
The term environment can be defined as all the conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding, and affecting the development of an organism or group of organisms. In this definition both biophysical and socio-economic factors are included. In the long term, tourism depends on the quality of the environment. Indeed, the quality of an environment, or some particular feature of it, is frequently the primary attraction for tourists. And today, tourists of all kinds are becoming more sensitive to polluted or environmentally degraded conditions at their different travel destinations.
Vocabulary Practice
1. Fill the gaps in the following text with suitable words from the box. You will not need
all the words in the box.
expertise redundant…….course experience qualifications niche
opportunities skills self-employed
The candidate needs to have the necessary academic (1) ..........................in business management with special (2).................... in the field of marketing and at least 5 years’ (3).......................in a similar position. The job offers excellent (4)..............................for promotion.
Tourism industry is labour intensive providing a wide range of jobs requiring different levels of (5)........................from the job of unskilled dishwashers to that of semi-skilled chambermaids. Nowadays, in a free market environment, plenty of people recognize the (6) ............. area of activity and by becoming (7)...........................they start and develop their own businesses.
2. These pairs of words often cause problems. Choose the correct alternative for each sentence. Make any changes in the given words, if necessary.
1. POLITICS/POLICY
The economic ....................of the government has changed.
He has never been interested in ........................
2. EFFECT /AFFECT
The greenhouse .............. is caused by the emission of harmful gases.
The southern part of the country was worst .......................by the flood.
3. COMPLEMENT/COMPLIMENT
On-the-job training can .......................formal training gained at educational institutions.
It is a great .....................that I have been asked to do this job.
4. LANDSCAPE/ COUNTRYSIDE
With more and more tourists escaping to the ...............for picnics and camping holidays, the natural habitat of animals is endangered.
The .......................consists of plains and mountains with large fields in the west.
3. Supply the missing prepositions in each sentence.
1. Many employees’ income in the tourism industry heavily depend ........... gratuities.
2. A travel agent must always keep up ........... all the latest developments in the industry.
3. Job fairs provide opportunities to obtain information ........possible jobs.
4. The Brazilian Environment Minister said that they were committed ........reducing the destruction of the rainforest.
5. Ecotourism recognizes the fact that the Earth has finite resources and there are limits...... development.
6. Tourism can have both beneficial and harmful impact ......the environment.
7. Vegetation greatly suffers .........the constant trampling by feet and car wheels.
4. Fill in the missing words in the table.
|
VERB |
NOUN |
ADJECTIVE |
|
1. sustain |
|
|
|
2. |
growth |
|
|
3. |
|
strong |
|
4. |
responsibility |
|
|
5. employ |
|
|
|
6. satisfy |
|
|
|
7. |
destruction |
|
5. Each of the words below can form partnership with three of the four words or expressions. Which of them does not fit?
1. RESOURCES
a) financial b) natural c) consumer d) human
2. SHORTAGE
a) turnover b) labour c) skills d) energy
3. WORKER
a) casual b) part-time c) seasonality d) temporary
4. TOURISM
a) green b) environmental c)eco- d) mass
5. ENVIRONMENT
a) man-made b) natural c) protection d) facilities
6. For each definition choose the correct word or phrase from the box. You will not need all the words in the box.
pollution erosion wildlife conservation rehabilitation biodegradable species deforestation
1. clearing land, cutting out woods for commercial and industrial development
2. protecting and preserving the health of the environment and maintaining its biological diversity
3. the gradual destruction of the surface of something, e.g. soil, usually due to the action of wind or rain, etc.
4. to return something, e.g. a building to its previous good condition (sometimes give a “new life” to it by using it for tourism purposes)
5. the substances or the process of making air, water, soil, etc. dirty
6. animals living in their natural environment
7. a group/groups of animals or plants that biologically belong to the same class
Warm up
Task 1
A friend of yours is seriously concerned about the harm that increased air and car transport might cause to the natural environment. Therefore he/she
1. consistently refuses to fly and opts for other mode of travel whenever possible
2. avoids consuming agricultural produce that is transported from remote places (e.g. kiwis)
3. will not learn how to drive a car, as he/she does not want to contribute to the global carbon dioxide emissions.
Think it over which of these principles/courses of action you:
A. fully agree with
B. partly agree with
C. totally disagree with
Give your reasons as well.
Language tips:
Agreeing:
Formal: I agree absolutely with…; That is exactly my own view….;
Informal: I think I’d go along with that…..; Well, that’s the thing….; You’re right. I’m with you (him/her) there.; Dead right.
Disagreeing:
Formal: I see things rather differently myself…; I am not at all convinced…..; I’m afraid I can’t accept…
Informal: I think that’s nonsense….; No, I don’t think…; (Oh,) surely not!
Saying you partly agree:
Formal: I agree in principle, but…; Personally, I wouldn’t go as far as that…; That’s one way of looking at it…
Informal: I can see that, but…; That’s all very well, but…; Yes, but….; I’d go along with most of that, but……; Yes, but we shouldn’t forget….
Task 2
In groups of 3-4 brainstorm a few guidelines that environmentally and socially conscious
TOURISTS can/should follow:
SERVICE PROVIDERS (e.g. hotels, tour operators) should follow:
Reading Comprehension
Talking Point: Carbon offsetting / Monday, 20 August 2007
Are you feeling guilty about all the flying you do for business? Mark Rowe asks if there are any effective ways to salve your conscience
A Until recently, the flying business traveller needed only to worry about being fresh enough to work coherently when they touched down. Now they have guilt to cope with as well.
Simply by going about their business, most scientists believe travel is fuelling climate change. While the actual extent of aviation's contribution to global warming is hotly contested, there is no doubt that it is a new, key driver.
B The consensus of most scientists and environmentalists is that aviation contributes four per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The figure sounds low, but may sound higher if you consider how few businesses would describe four per cent of anything, from profits to expenses, as a negligible issue. Furthermore, scientists argue that aviation's emissions are reinforced by the fact that contrails deposited at 30,000ft further magnify climate change (a process called radiative forcing). Friends of the Earth calculates that by 2050, aviation could contribute 15 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions.
C The most fashionable option for those seeking to assuage their guilt is to offset their carbon emissions. This can be done by paying a number of organisations to plant trees that can grow to absorb the equivalent carbon dioxide from your flight and convert it into harmless oxygen and wood; or invest in a project in a developing country that encourages the use of alternative or low-carbon fuels. They can also invest in biodiversity on your behalf.
D Choosing the right offset company is crucial, and most are monitored independently to ensure that the emissions reductions you have paid for are being achieved. Costs vary. The cost of offsetting a flight from London to Nairobi ranges from £11 to £36 with most of the offset companies, such as Climate Care, Envirotrade and CO2Balance. The most expensive company for offsetting is usually Atmosfair, a German company, which in this case charges you £63, though the company says this is because it has the most rigorous approach to offsetting. Atmosfair has also been independently audited as only offering products that adhere to international standards for carbon offsets.
E Hannah Lucas, of Bristol, who travels regularly to eastern Europe to conduct food safety tests for a British food processing company, agrees with the idea of offsetting trips, but feels it is only part of the solution. " If I can be certain that the companies involved really do plant the trees then I can buy into that – it seems a good way to offset the emissions from my flight," she said. "But companies also need to think hard about whether we all need to fly so much. I often seem to go away for two days, twice a week, when the trips could be combined into a slightly longer one, reducing my time away and reducing the related emissions."
F And yet there is a nagging suspicion that the cost of offsetting – with the exception of Atmosfair – is low, perhaps even too good to be true. Even the most well-meaning of buyers now find that long plane trips can be offset for tremendously low costs. This had led to claims of a "greenwash". "Offsetting schemes are a cheap way to carry on polluting, when what we really need to be doing is reducing emission levels," said Helen Burley, co-author of a forthcoming Friends of the Earth book on Climate Change, Cool Life, Cool Planet. "If a tree is to store the carbon from your flight, it needs to still be around in 100 years time, which is hard to guarantee.
G "Renewable energy schemes may do more good – but these only really count towards offsetting if it is clear that there is no way the project would have happened without your money. If you want to invest in sustainable energy projects, the best way to do it is to make a donation to a charity that is involved in clean energy projects in developing countries."
H The message is clear enough. By all means pay someone to plant trees, but the best way to compensate for the extra carbon you're adding to the atmosphere is to cut your emissions back at work or at home.
I. Match the words with their meaning.
emission renewable energy offset greenwash
- describes a form of energy that can be produced as quickly as it is used e.g.
- a false or misleading picture of environmental friendliness used to conceal damaging activities
- to balance one influence against an opposing influence, so that there is no great difference as a result
- when gas, heat, light, etc. is discharged into the air
II. Choose the suitable paragraph (A-H) for each summary.
- ……. A well-planned business journey can decrease carbon emissions
- ……. Alternatives to ease the passengers’ guilt
- ……. Financial contribution is needed to any projects
- ……. Monitoring payments
- ……. Offsetting schemes are not the definite answers to emission
- ……. Scientific arguments for emissions
III. Answer the questions.
- How does an airplane contribute to climate change?
- What are the advantage and the disadvantage of planting trees?
- Why is it important to monitor offset companies?
- Why should we be careful with offsetting schemes?
- How can you compensate for the carbon emissions?
Listening
I. As you listen fill in the gaps with MAX. 2 words each.
1. The Government will invest more in ……………………………… energy supplies.
2-3. The Noise Association wants to stop building new ……………………………… and start ……………………………… about the noise they generate.
4. Aerodynamic modulation occurs when the wind is in a ………………………………
5. Noise causes problems at ………………………………% of such sites.
6-7. Near Davies’ house there are ……………………………… wind turbines, one of which is only ……………………………… metres away.
II. Decide if the following statements are T/F.
8. Jane and Julian Davies recorded the noise with their own tape recorder.
9. The couple had to leave their home because of the noise.
10. The wind turbines are continuously noisy for 12 to 18 days.
11. The Davies’ were happy when the construction of the wind turbines began.
12. A land agent wanted to buy their house.
Monologue Questions
- What personal qualities are necessary to work in the tourism and hospitality industry?
- What skills and qualifications do you expect to have at the end of your studies?
- Would you prefer a front of house or back of house job at a hotel? Give your reasons.
- If you had a choice in which country would you like to work? Why?
- What advice would you give someone preparing for a job interview?
- Describe some principles of sustainable/responsible tourism with regard to the local people and economy.
- How can the tourism industry control damage to the environment?
- How can a hotel be environmentally friendly?
Role Play (Situation)
Role A Quality control manager of multinational company
You are Tom/Tina Sherwood and work for a multinational holiday company as quality control manager. It is your responsibility that new developments should meet quality assurance standards. You are planning to sign a contract (an initial agreement) with the tourism department of the county council in which they approve of your plan of building a holiday complex in the area of Őrség. Members of an environmental pressure group have come to discuss the issue with you; they have strong reservations about the plan and wish to prevent its implementation.
Use the following points to guide the discussion and try to defend your position:
- listen to your partners argument
- list your arguments to defend your position
- refer to the preliminary contract that has already been signed by your company and the local council
- explain how the local community can benefit from the development
- try to reach a compromise (e.g. allow them to monitor the implementation of the plan)
YOUR PARTNER STARTS
Role B Member of environmentalist pressure group
You are Antal/Anita Fenyvesi, director of the „Green Earth” pressure group. You have recently heard about the plans for a new holiday complex in your area, the Őrség region. This is a particularly sensitive area, a scenic lake with unique flora and fauna. You and your group are very much against the plan. You meet the person in charge at the company and put forward your arguments against the plan. Try to convince him/her that the new holiday complex will cause irreversible damage to the environment.
Use the following points to guide the discussion and try to defend your position:
- thank your partner for agreeing to see you
- put forward your arguments (particularly sensitive area, rare species, potential negative effects of attracting masses of tourists to the area)
- offer your expertise in the implementation of the plan
- threaten your partner to organize demonstrations or to contact the press
- try to reach a compromise
YOU START
Writing Task
The memorandum
- frequently referred to as a memo – is a form of ‘ internal letter’. It is only sent to people within an organisation.
Memoranda are used to send instructions or directives, to provide information, to make requests or suggestions, or to confirm facts and agreements originally agreed orally.
Most memoranda have pre-printed ‘memoheads’, like a letterhead, which display printed entries for completion by the author or typist.
MEMORANDUM
TO DATE
FROM SUBJECT
- Different organisations display this information in various ways.
- Titles such as Mr, Miss or Mrs are not used.
- The date layout is exactly the same as that used in the letter: 12 October 2001
- The memorandum does not include a signature. Some managers, however, like to initial their memoranda to show that the memorandum has been checked and may be safely despatched.
Memo writing style:
Helpful tips
Use factual, precise wording.
Avoid slang and colloquial wording.
Link facts logically.
- Is the memorandum making a request for help or cooperation?
Ensure politeness throughout.
….it would be extremely helpful if
…it would be appreciated….
Avoid demanding words and phrases: must…have to…unless…
Adopt instead: I would be grateful if…. , could you please…, may I ask you to…
- Are you trying to persuade someone to your point of view or to accept a situation or to do something which may require extra work or effort?
In this case words which have a persuasive effect will be helpful:
…in need of your particular expertise…
…though demanding will greatly assist efficiency…
…once fully in use, the system will greatly ease the workload of all office staff…
Find words and expressions which will prompt a sympathetic response.
Consider your relationship with the receiver.
Task
Mr Spencer (MD) says to you rather anxiously, “I have just had a phone call from Head Office saying that Mr Smith, the Regional Manager, will be visiting us tomorrow. As the time is very short, write a memo to all members of staff giving them the information which I have jotted down on this paper. Ask for their co-operation in a tactful way.”
Regional Manager’s visit 10 am arrives – with me until 11am – staff dress neatly and tidily – Regional Manager will mingle with staff and guests – work to carry on as usual – staff best behaviour – be honest when answering Regional Manager’s questions – regional Manager at lunch 12.30-2pm – staff punctuality essential – any queries, see me today, not when Regional manager is here.
Grammar Test 2
I. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the sentence printed before it.
1 We can accommodate 90 delegates in this hotel.
90 delegates ...................................................................... .
2 It was a mistake to ask Brian to give a presentation in English.
Brian should not ................................................................ .
3 Does parking here cost anything?
Do I ................................................................................... .
4 ‘How often do you go on a business trip?’ Tom asked Mr Smith.
Tom asked Mr Smith ............................................................ .
5 How would you like to pay?
Could you tell me ................................................................. .
6 They are installing a new telephone exchange in the hotel.
A new telephone exchange ................................................. .
II. Circle the correct verb form.
7 I wouldn’t mind STAYING / TO STAY / STAY in a campsite.
8 What made you CHOOSING / TO CHOOSE / CHOOSE this job?
9 I look forward to HEARING / TO HEAR / HEAR from you.
10 I used GOING / TO GO / GO to work by bicycle.
11 It’s not worth WORRYING / TO WORRY / WORRY about the lost deal.
12 I regretted DISMISSING / TO DISMISS / DISMISS him because he was a good worker most of the time.
13-14 I KNOW / AM KNOWING / KNOWING you’re busy, but could you stop WORKING / TO WORK / WORK for a moment and help me with this problem?
III. Fill in the gaps with a suitable preposition.
15 There is a strong link …………….. pay and efficiency.
16 I have divided my presentation ………….. three parts.
17-18 The company I work ………… specialises ………… office stationery.
19 This region is famous ……….. its red wine.
20 Tom has contributed substantially ……….. the success of the deal.