Is tourism beneficial to the economies of places affected by natural disasters?
Is tourism to regions that were hit several months ago by natural disasters (for example, the north-eastern part of Honshu, Japan) good for the local economy, and for the people of that area?
Just to clarify, I'd be visiting normal tourist destinations in the region, not visiting specific sites of devastation.
Best Answer
Absolutely yes. Rebuilding costs money, and that can't all come from donations (and shouldn't, especially in the long run), so it has to come from regular economic activites, of which tourism is one, often a very important one, especially as it can be conducted with limited capital.
I honestly cannot think of any reason why visiting a disaster-struck region as a tourist could be bad for that region once it's stabilized.
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How does natural disasters affect tourism?
Natural disasters can also hamper tourism. As mentioned above, flights are cancelled, local transportation is paralyzed, and tourist attractions may be damaged. In a chain reaction, the economy also suffered, especially in regions that depend heavily on tourism.How are economies affected by natural disasters?
The economic damage caused by disasters varies. Capital assets and infrastructure such as housing, schools, factories and equipment, roads, dams and bridges are lost. Human capital is depleted due to the loss of life, the loss of skilled workers and the destruction of education infrastructure that disrupts schooling.How does tourism help in economic benefits in a country?
Tourism boosts the revenue of the economy, creates thousands of jobs, develops the infrastructures of a country, and plants a sense of cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens. The number of jobs created by tourism in many different areas is significant.Does tourism have impact to the economy?
Export revenues from tourism could fall by $910 billion to $1.2 trillion in 2020. This will have a wider impact and could reduce global GDP by 1.5% to 2.8%. Tourism supports one in 10 jobs and provides livelihoods for many millions more in both developing and developed economies.How mass tourism is destroying cities
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Answer 2
Disaster tourism, i.e. expressly visiting an area hit by disaster in order to see the devastation can be disruptive and distasteful. Worse, it can be dangerous, and nothing makes the rescue workers' day like a rubbernecking tourist who has to be pulled out of the rubble.
However, there are some places where touring affected areas is apparently done with a modicum of decency.
Ishinomaki 2.0 is a web site about the reconstruction of Ishinomaki, Miyagi, and one thing mentioned is
[2.0 EXCURSION]
2.0 EXCURSION is a program that introduces the on-going rebuilding process of Ishinomaki . Please see and feel what the actual rebuilding process is, by taking a city tour of Ishiomaki with the member of Ishinomaki 2.0. The shopping alleys with development, the panorama view from the top of the Hiyoriyama maoutain, and the coastal area completely swept away by Tsunami. Whatever vision you have is all reality of today’s Ishinomaki.
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