
Tourism employs millions of people in different aspects of tourism, and it brings a lot of money into a country through tourist activities like shopping, transportation, and accommodation.
The environment around tourist sites is improved by the government to make tourists feel comfortable while they are visiting. Water contamination is, therefore, a great threat to tourist activities because it might stop tourists from visiting those sites again.
There have been incidents in the past where contaminated water reportedly decreased the number of tourists for the next few years after the incident had happened. Events like Camp Lejeune Water Contamination can be among the chief examples, which compelled the affected individuals to opt for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination lawsuit, so that they get speedy compensation and recovery treatment.
Moreover, tourism businesses in that area had struggled to weather the storm of Camp Lejeune water contamination for some years following the incident.
Here are a few reasons why contaminated water can lead to declined tourism revenue, ultimately leading to an economic slowdown.
Water – An Essential Part of the Tourist Experience
Water is an essential part of the natural environment and the tourism experience. Water is an essential part of the destination experience, reputation, and identity. Water is an essential part of the destination experience because it provides a variety of recreational opportunities to tourists, such as swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Water contamination can adversely impact tourism by impacting tourism activities. For example, if there was water contamination in your tourist destination, then you could not allow your tourists to go swimming in that location, as it would be unsafe for them to do so due to this contamination.
Water plays an important role in destination reputation. It’s an essential resource for life and one of the reasons why many people visit a destination, so it’s not surprising that water contamination has such an impact on tourism.
Water quality is often linked to tourism because it’s part of the natural environment, but it also affects our experience as travelers and tourists. When we’re at a destination, we want to have fun and enjoy ourselves—but if we aren’t able to swim in clear waters or enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool or ocean because they’re polluted, then this can detract from our trip.
Poses a Significant Health Risk to Tourists
Whether you’re a tourist or a hospitality worker, unsafe drinking water poses a significant health risk. Exposure to waterborne diseases—which can be transmitted through drinking contaminated water or swimming in it—can cause diarrhea, dehydration, and other illnesses that can last for weeks or months.
Even if tourists don’t suffer from the illness itself, they may suffer some form of secondary infection like pneumonia due to their weakened immune systems. This can put them at risk for further complications while traveling and even after returning home.
In addition to being exposed directly by drinking contaminated water themselves (or having someone else drink it), tourists who visit countries with unsafe drinking water also have an increased risk of spreading these diseases back home with them through food preparation or contact with other people around them at work or play.
It Causes Unemployment
The hospitality industry is a major source of employment across the world and supports thousands of families. However, the hotel industry has been hit by a number of issues recently, including water contamination. Some members of the hotel staff have also spoken out about the issues they face relating to contaminated water sources.
Guests often want to stay in hotels or vacation homes while visiting family and friends, but they may be hesitant to do so if there is an ongoing water contamination issue. As a result, small businesses in the local hospitality industry have to cut back on jobs if they can’t access clean water.
In such a situation, visiting tourists are not safe, as they could contract any number of diseases caused by contaminated water sources. It is also possible that hotel staff could be exposed to these same risks if they do not adhere to proper hygiene practices while working with potentially contaminated water.
The prevalent condition thus leads to unemployment on a large scale, forcing local authorities to provide clean and safe water for drinking and other activities.
Summing Up
In 2021, the tourism industry generated around $1.9 trillion alone, highlighting the critical role of the industry in the national and global economy. Though if countries want to completely exploit the potential of the industry, they need to ensure the tourists enjoy an improved experience with top-notch hospitality and environmental conditions.
If a tourist gets any disease after visiting a place, it is more likely that the next time they consider traveling again, they will not choose that place. The tourism industry can be built if the environment is clean and healthy. It is, therefore, necessary that people do everything in their power to keep the environment clean and free from pollution.