Mountain zones are popular tourist destinations due to their clean air, breathtaking scenery, rare species, cultural interest, and "heroic" adventurous potential.
Activities: Traditional attractions include trekking and skiing. Other activities include mountain biking, snowboarding, paragliding, and white-water rafting. The cultural and archaeological significance of these regions also attracts tourists.
Example: Paragliding over the Swiss Alps provides a unique perspective on their natural beauty.
Tourism's role in Economic Development: Tourism aids in economic growth and reduces regional and social disparities in some of the world’s poorest countries through the multiplier and trickle-down effects.
Sustainability challenges of mountain tourism
Fragility of Mountain Environments: Mountains are susceptible to human impact due to their steep slopes, thin erodible soil, and slow regenerating vegetation. This fragility calls for careful management to sustain tourism.
The Himalayan Case: Tourism in landlocked, mountainous countries like Nepal has grown since the 1970s, leading to both benefits and contentious environmental and social issues.
Example: The Himalayan trekking paths, initially used by only a few adventurers, are now crowded with tourists, putting a strain on the natural environment.
Environmental degradation - mount everest
Overpopulation: The Khumbu region of Nepal can hold about 40,000 people. However, during peak tourist season, it hosts up to 700,000 tourists.
Resource Consumption and Waste Generation: Tourism demands increase pressure on local resources such as electricity and water, leading to more waste generation. The lack of proper waste management has led to an accumulation of various kinds of waste on Mount Everest.
Climate Change: While tourism is a major cause of environmental problems, global warming is projected to have even more severe effects.
The sherpa dilemma
Economic Dependence: Closing down Mount Everest isn't a solution for the local Sherpa population. For a Sherpa, reaching the Everest summit can generate about $1,600, five times the per capita GNI.
Tourism Revenue: The Nepalese government generates significant revenue from Everest tourism. To climb Everest, each team of seven climbers must pay a royalty of £50,000 to the Nepalese government.
Example: Sherpas rely on tourism to earn their livelihood. Closure of Everest tourism could lead to financial hardship for the Sherpa community.
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Geography HL
Option C - Extreme Environments
Unlocking Business Potential Understanding Efficiency Ratios
Mountain zones are popular tourist destinations due to their clean air, breathtaking scenery, rare species, cultural interest, and "heroic" adventurous potential.
Activities: Traditional attractions include trekking and skiing. Other activities include mountain biking, snowboarding, paragliding, and white-water rafting. The cultural and archaeological significance of these regions also attracts tourists.
Example: Paragliding over the Swiss Alps provides a unique perspective on their natural beauty.
Tourism's role in Economic Development: Tourism aids in economic growth and reduces regional and social disparities in some of the world’s poorest countries through the multiplier and trickle-down effects.
Sustainability challenges of mountain tourism
Fragility of Mountain Environments: Mountains are susceptible to human impact due to their steep slopes, thin erodible soil, and slow regenerating vegetation. This fragility calls for careful management to sustain tourism.
The Himalayan Case: Tourism in landlocked, mountainous countries like Nepal has grown since the 1970s, leading to both benefits and contentious environmental and social issues.
Example: The Himalayan trekking paths, initially used by only a few adventurers, are now crowded with tourists, putting a strain on the natural environment.
Environmental degradation - mount everest
Overpopulation: The Khumbu region of Nepal can hold about 40,000 people. However, during peak tourist season, it hosts up to 700,000 tourists.
Resource Consumption and Waste Generation: Tourism demands increase pressure on local resources such as electricity and water, leading to more waste generation. The lack of proper waste management has led to an accumulation of various kinds of waste on Mount Everest.
Climate Change: While tourism is a major cause of environmental problems, global warming is projected to have even more severe effects.
The sherpa dilemma
Economic Dependence: Closing down Mount Everest isn't a solution for the local Sherpa population. For a Sherpa, reaching the Everest summit can generate about $1,600, five times the per capita GNI.
Tourism Revenue: The Nepalese government generates significant revenue from Everest tourism. To climb Everest, each team of seven climbers must pay a royalty of £50,000 to the Nepalese government.
Example: Sherpas rely on tourism to earn their livelihood. Closure of Everest tourism could lead to financial hardship for the Sherpa community.
Unlock the Full Content!
Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Geography HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟