Conventional tourism can cause significant harm to fragile ecosystems. Tourism development can lead to negative impacts like deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, and overconsumption of resources, with mass tourism contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and water use. While tourism can offer vital economic opportunities to residents of popular destinations, it often results in exploitative labor practices and economic leakage, with a large percentage of tourism revenue diverted toward large corporations and most local jobs offering low wages and limited advancement. As destinations grow popular, tourists often seek out cultural experiences that become tailored to what visitors want to see. This loss of cultural authenticity can contribute over time to a collective loss of heritage or the disappearance of local languages. While tourism can negatively impact people and nature, it also has the potential to help ecosystems recover from years of damage, inspire a resurgence of dying cultures, and motivate tourists to behave better on their next vacation. When developed and operated responsibly, travel businesses have the ability to boost the local economy, preserve damaged natural spaces, and create a ripple effect that motivates tourists, other companies, and governments to adopt better practices.

Tourism is responsible for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Tourism accounts for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions—not just from air travel, but from the entire supply chain that supports it. Hotels, cruises, ground transport, food services, and the construction of infrastructure like resorts and roads all consume large amounts of energy and resources. These combined activities contribute significantly to global emissions, making tourism a major driver of climate change. As tourist numbers increase worldwide, the industry's large footprint threatens the very ecosystems and communities travelers come to experience.

Commodification from tourism can result in loss of language and cultural heritage.

Cultural commodification is the process of turning cultural traditions, practices, and symbols into products or experiences for commercial gain—often to attract and entertain tourists. In tourism, this can lead to the oversimplification or alteration of cultural expressions, where rituals, art, and language are reshaped to meet visitor expectations. When cultural practices are turned into performances for tourists, their original meaning and significance can be diminished or lost entirely. Sacred rituals may be performed out of context for entertainment, traditional clothing may be worn for photo ops, and local languages may be replaced by ones that cater to the majority of visitors. This shift often encourages communities to prioritize marketable aspects of their culture, while sidelining less visible but deeply important traditions. Over time, this can motivate younger generations to abandon their native languages and customs, leading to a gradual loss of cultural identity.

85% of marine ecosystems are negatively impacted by tourism activities.

Tourism has a significant impact on ocean health, with 85% of marine ecosystems negatively affected by tourism-related activities. Coastal development, such as the construction of hotels, resorts, and cruise ports, often leads to the destruction of critical habitats like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Additionally, pollution from boats, sunscreen, plastic waste, and untreated wastewater from hotels harms marine species and disrupts the ocean's fragile chemical balance. Popular activities like snorkeling, diving, and anchoring boats can physically damage coral reefs and disturb wildlife. As tourism continues to grow, especially in coastal and island destinations, the strain on marine ecosystems threatens biodiversity and the long-term health of oceans that both locals and travelers depend on.

Up to 90% of tourist dollars leave destination communities.

Up to 90% of tourist dollars can leave the communities they visit through a phenomenon known as economic leakage. This occurs when profits from tourism are funneled to foreign-owned hotels, airlines, tour operators, and large corporations, rather than staying within the local economy. This limits the potential for tourism to support local development, create meaningful employment, or improve infrastructure and services for residents. In many cases, the communities hosting tourists are left bearing the environmental and social costs without receiving a fair share of the economic rewards.

Studies have shown that educating travelers about tourism's negative impacts can lead to more responsible behavior on their next trip.

When tourists understand the environmental, cultural, and social consequences of their actions, they are more likely to make mindful choices, such as reducing waste, respecting local cultures, and supporting sustainable businesses. Awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of minimizing carbon footprints, conserving resources, and preserving local heritage can empower travelers to act more responsibly, fostering a shift toward more sustainable tourism practices. This awareness leads to better choices that help reduce tourism's negative impacts, such as supporting eco-friendly businesses and respecting local customs.