Yr13 - Postive and Negative Impacts of Tourism in Rotorua!

Rotorua is a town that depends heavily on tourism, one of its three major industries. Tourism creates employment opportunities – both direct and indirect.	Total direct spending by tourists is around $310 million each year.
Tourism also generates an extra $153 million each year in “downstream” businesses such as catering, construction and communications.	One in every five people in Rotorua are directly employed in tourism. For every 240 visitors to Rotorua a new full time job is created. Every job in tourism leads to an average of 0.30 jobs elsewhere in the district.
Tourism helps pay for expensive infrastructure like roading and water supply.	Jobs in the tourism sector are often low-paying and seasonal.
Tourism supports the unique culture of the Maori – it has helped revive traditions and provided an economic justification for preserving them.	The commercialisation of dances and ceremonies, which are adapted to suit tourist’s timetables and tastes.
The commercialisation of arts and crafts – “plastic tiki tourism” is a term used to describe how sometimes cultural things are changed so they can be enjoyed by tourists, but in the process lose their meaning and value. (Does is cheapen their culture?)	Tourism increases the profitability of facilities that can be enjoyed bay all citizens, such as the Convention Centre, the Bath House and revamping of the inner city.
Rotorua is in a sense two cities; the swept up city and attractions that the tourists visit and admire and the “real” Rotorua, which is somewhat different – Rotorua has higher than average levels if unemployment, crime and poor health.	Tourism brings large numbers of people to Rotorua. This can increase traffic congestion and pollution.
Fragile natural environments can be damaged. The use of cheap geothermal energy by hotels (and locals) led to major damage to one of the cities key attractions.	Waste and garbage disposal was a real problem for Rotorua, with lake Rotorua becoming heavily polluted until it was cleaned up in the late 1980s.
Tourism creates an increased need for water, power and sewage disposal. This can put a lot of pressure on local facilities and infrastructure.