Madrid (TAN): Most of the world’s urban population appears to perceive positively the impact of tourism industry.
An online survey carried out by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and global marketing research firm IPSOS reveals that over 50 per cent of respondents spread over cities in 15 countries feel tourism has a positive impact on the city’s economy, generating wealth and enabling cultural exchanges.
The perception that the impact of international tourism is positive was felt most strongly in Argentina, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and Sweden.
About 12 per cent of the respondents of the survey think there should be curbs on tourist visits. However, 49 per cent of the respondents were in favour of better management of tourism and tourist inflows.
As global tourism growth strong from strength to strength, its negative impact was at focus at the international tourism fair FITUR held in Madrid recently. There have been angry backlashes particularly in Venice and Barcelona where local residents have complained that overcrowding by tourists had made life intolerable.
“Today, adequately managing tourism to the benefit of visitors and residents alike, ensuring that local communities are listened to and benefit from tourism is more important than ever… There is a pressing need to set a roadmap for urban tourism which is fully aligned with the urban agenda,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said.
