Describe the main characteristics of sustainable tourism.

Explain three different impacts of tourist developments on the environment.

Examine how tourism has had social and economic impacts on one country.

Sustainable tourism allows for continuation of activity at the same level for future generations [1 mark]. It minimizes the impact of activity on the environment; supports the livelihoods and culture of local people; manages resources to prevent depletion; and reduces the ecological footprint of industry.

Award 1 mark for each valid statement made up to a maximum of 3 marks.

If candidates define “tourism” they can receive a maximum of 1 mark.

Responses that define sustainable development and explain how it is promoted in relation to tourism should be credited.

There are a range of possible answers that include:

• increased water consumption
• increased traffic and associated pollution (water, noise, aesthetic)
• loss of habitat and biodiversity
• increased waste produced requiring disposal
• CO₂ emissions (especially long-haul flights)
• consumption of local natural capital.

There are possible positives, for example, conservation, marine reserves. 1 mark should be awarded for each basic impact stated, and 1 mark for some development/explanation.

There are a wide range of valid responses that could be credited. Likely themes include positive multipliers, employment (informal and formal), effects on crime, language, cultural homogenization.

Answers are expected to provide a balanced range of both positive and negative impacts in order to gain the higher markbands. Answers that focus only on either positive or negative impacts should be restricted to band D. Answers that do not refer to a specific country should be restricted to band D. Answers that refer to the impact of a major sporting event on a named city and not tourism in general on a country should be restricted to band C. Answers that focus only on social or economic impacts should be restricted to band D.

To access bands E and F, answers should consider positive and negative impacts.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

Many candidates scored full marks here. The characteristics of sustainability were generally well understood.

This was well answered. Some mentioned impacts on the human environment rather than the physical environment, but these candidates were in a minority.

This was generally answered very well, with a strong focus on the question. The best candidates considered positive and negative aspects of social and economic impacts, though at standard level, many responses failed to provide a balance between positive and negative impacts.