Tourism in Mountain Regions
Theo
Hey Theo! How are you?
Hi Dalal! I'm good, thanks. How about you?
I'm great! Just got back from our family vacation in the mountains.
Nice! How was it?
The landscape was beautiful as always. I love the fresh air and the views.
I know, right? There's something so peaceful about being up there.
Absolutely! But did you notice how much trash there is now?
Yes, it’s really sad. People just leave their garbage everywhere.
And the noise! It used to be so quiet, but now it’s loud with all the tourists.
Yeah, lots of cars and loud groups. It kind of ruins the experience.
I miss the old days when it was just us and nature.
Same here. Do you think there’s a way to fix it?
Maybe stricter rules for tourists? More trash bins could help too.
Good ideas! People need to be more responsible.
Totally. I hope we can keep the mountains beautiful for the future.
Me too. Let’s do our part and always clean up after ourselves.
Definitely. Every little bit helps.
Sustainable tourism
Watch the video about sustainable tourism, then answer the questions below.
There is a wrong piece of information in each of the sentences. Mark them and write the correct information below.
Korrigierte Sätze
Additional information for teachers
Corrected information
Wrong: Sustainable tourism aims to have more positive than negative effects on the industrial environment in the long term. --> Correct: Sustainable tourism aims to have more positive than negative effects on the natural environment in the long term.
Wrong: Negative effects of tourism can include large carbon footprints and the creation of natural resources. --> Correct: Negative effects of tourism can include large carbon footprints and the depletion of natural resources.
Wrong: Positive effects of tourism include economic benefits and a better understanding of technological differences. --> Correct: Positive effects of tourism include economic benefits and a better understanding of cultural differences.
Wrong: The term sustainability as a measure of human activity is credited to the UN report "Our Future Together" from 1987. --> Correct: The term sustainability as a measure of human activity is credited to the UN report "Our Common Future" from 1987.
Wrong: The PSE analysis stands for physical, spiritual, and economic impacts on the environment. --> Correct: The PSE analysis stands for political, social, and economic impacts on the environment.
Wrong: The triple bottom line in sustainable tourism focuses on three factors: people, profits, and planet. --> Correct: The triple bottom line in sustainable tourism focuses on three factors: people, planet, and profit.
Wrong: Sustainable tourism should consider the effects on tourist destinations as well as industrial areas. --> Correct: Sustainable tourism should consider the effects on tourist destinations as well as local communities.
Wrong: According to the second definition, sustainable tourism is tourism that meets present needs without compromising the ability of previous generations to meet their own needs. --> Correct: According to the standard definition, sustainable tourism is tourism that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Advantages and disadvantages of tourism
Read the following text about tourism in a mountain region and learn about the advantages and disadvantages of tourism.
Dolomites
Source: Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0
The Dolomites are a stunning mountain range located in northeastern Italy. These mountains are part of the Southern Limestone Alps and spread across three Italian regions: Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The highest peak in the Dolomites is the Marmolada, which stands at 3,343 meters (10,968 feet).
Tourism in the Dolomites is very popular. Every year, many people visit to enjoy activities like skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, and cycling. The beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures attract tourists from all over the world. Popular spots include the towns of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Alleghe, and San Martino di Castrozza.
Tourism brings many benefits to the Dolomites. It supports the local economy by providing jobs in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Tour guides and ski instructors also benefit from the influx of visitors. Moreover, tourism helps to preserve cultural heritage and traditional practices, as tourists are often interested in local customs and festivals.
However, there are some downsides to having so many tourists. The natural environment can get damaged, and wildlife may be disturbed. The large number of visitors can also lead to overcrowding, which makes it less enjoyable for everyone. Additionally, the construction of hotels and other facilities can harm the landscape.
To tackle these issues, the Dolomites have taken steps to manage tourism better. Measures include promoting eco-friendly activities, limiting the number of visitors in certain areas, and encouraging tourists to visit during less busy times of the year. These efforts aim to protect the environment and ensure that the Dolomites remain a beautiful destination for future generations.
In conclusion, the Dolomites are a breathtaking place to visit, with many activities to enjoy. While tourism brings economic benefits, it is essential to take care of the environment to keep the Dolomites beautiful and vibrant.
Now it's your turn to work creatively. Draw a picture of the mountain region described in the text on which you can see touristic features, but they should be as sustainable as possible.
In this worksheet, your students will learn about the opportunities and risks that tourism brings to a specific mountain region and how sustainable tourism can be developed.
