The debate of environmental impact and tourism development: Perspective from local resident and businessman

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to examine that the benefit and cost of tourism development based on its feature industry in Yingge. The questionnaire survey is used on the study that attempts to find the relation of tourism development and tourism impact. The result points out that Yingge populations accept ceramics as the most representative industry, and recognized its development with tourism. The ceramic feature with tourism development in Yingge includes diversification, creative life, and art. Tourism development brought benefits with a creation of employment, increased in revenue, improvement of facility and infrastructure, increased local pride and community spirit, promotion of local culture, and improvement of destination image. Concomitant negative impacts resulted from tourism development also result in environmental damage, life disturbance, traffic congestion, and ecological devastation. The study provides references for other similar regions eager to boost economic growth and industrial development.