Tourism Creates Jobs and New Businesses
It is no secret that tourism creates new businesses and jobs throughout a destination. But why is that? There are four basic reasons, according to one international trade organization.
First, tourism drives economic growth. It is widely recognized that a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) depends upon its ability to attract foreign visitors.
Second, tourism supports local businesses. Businesses thrive because people want to patronize local merchants.
Third, tourism drives employment. Tourism jobs range from hotel room clerks to tour guides to food servers to bus drivers.
The final reason tourism creates jobs is that it provides access to new markets for products and services.
There are an estimated 300 million tourists visiting the United States every year, generating a total of 5.2 million jobs for Americans. Each day, a total of $40 billion in spending power leaves America and moves to another part of the world.
When tourists spend their money on hotels, restaurants, bars, souvenirs, and attractions, they not only create more jobs but also provide new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs
For example, tourism in the United States and Australia is responsible for creating 6.7 million jobs and over $160 billion in annual economic output, according to the OECD. In the UK, tourism generates nearly 3% of gross domestic product and contributes more than 8% of employment.
The Importance of Community
Today, the most common method of promoting tourism is through the creation of community. People who live near natural attractions (like mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.) often participate in local community events such as festivals, parades, sporting events, and community celebrations.
The goal is to foster a sense of community and unity within a region and to attract tourists. The community should be perceived as a unified force for the promotion of tourism.
A community is built upon a shared history, common interests, and a sense of belonging. When the community feels like a home, it becomes a safe place to share, learn, and build relationships with others.
When you look around, you realize that the world is filled with people who live in communities. Whether it’s a neighborhood, a city, or a nation, the foundation of any community is built on an interconnected network of people.
Tourism Is a Good Investment
To understand the potential for tourism as a global economic force, look to the past. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the idea of tourism became a widespread concept. Traveling to visit places, people, and cultures were still viewed as somewhat of an eccentric activity.
Today, tourism is the fastest-growing sector of the world economy. If tourism continues to grow at its current pace, it will account for 16% of the world’s GDP by 2030. That’s nearly triple the share in 2008.
In 2014, global tourism spending reached a record $1.75 trillion. By 2019, the World Economic Forum predicts tourism revenues will increase to more than $1.9 trillion.
In addition, tourism accounts for more than 10 percent of GDP in many countries around the world, and many major cities have found that tourism can create thousands of jobs. In fact, in some cases, tourism can be the driving force behind a city’s economic success.
The Social Benefits of Traveling
When it comes to travel, there are social benefits to traveling in addition to the money that one can save. According to Travel and Leisure magazine, some of the top reasons for travelers to travel include exploring new places, developing relationships, relaxing, and getting away from technology.
There are also many ways in which traveling helps boost self-confidence, confidence in others, and self-esteem. And there’s a psychological phenomenon called the halo effect that explains why people tend to be positive about someone based on something positive about that person, such as their ability to drive well or play an instrument.
