Question
Describe the main characteristics of sustainable tourism.[4]
Explain three different impacts of tourist developments on the environment.[3×2]
Examine how tourism has had social and economic impacts on one country.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
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.
Examiners report
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.
Question
Outline one political and one economic factor that affect participation in sport.[2+2]
Referring to a national sports league you have studied, explain the factors that have determined the home location of its teams.[6]
To what extent can tourism ever be made sustainable?[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Political factors could include investment in sports facilities, public health and education investment, education policies, subsidies for sporting activities and governing bodies, legislation.
Economic factors could include availability of private sports facilities, level of public investment in sports facilities, quantity of personal disposable income, cost of sporting equipment. Any single factor may have different effects at different scales (local, national, international).
In each case, award [1 mark] for identifying a valid factor and [1 mark] for a brief outline of how it affects sports participation. For example, investment in public health and education can impact participation because it raises public awareness of the personal health benefits of involvement in sport, making it more likely for people to participate. Public education also makes people more likely to participate because they are frequently prompted to participate by the public information.
Answers will vary depending upon the sport chosen and its context but must examine a sports league of national importance. Factors are likely to include population density, socio-economic factors, cultural and historical factors, government and private investment, and proximity to competing teams. There are other valid responses that should be credited.
Award up to [3 marks] for each factor that is well-explained. A wider range of factors can compensate for less depth. A generic answer, or one using an inappropriate example, should not be awarded more than [3 marks].
Answers may make use of contrasting examples, some successful, some not. Answers should show a sound understanding of the concept of sustainability (supporting local people while conserving resources for the future).
Answers are likely to make reference to the pressures resulting from tourism, efforts to minimize impact of the tourism activity, including transport, accommodation, tourist activities and resource use and waste disposal. These efforts should be evaluated rather than simply described as a success or failure in order to access the higher markbands.
Responses may evaluate the effectiveness of tourism in sustaining both societies and ecosystems in the long-term.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Examiners report
This was well done by most candidates choosing to answer the question, although some candidates focused on elite athletes rather than participation.
The question tended to be misunderstood regarding the home location of the teams. Although most could refer to a national sports league, knowledge of the location of teams was virtually non-existent. A number of obvious sports fans described where their sport was played with little reasoning.
Good knowledge of the concept of sustainable tourism was shown but descended into broad and vague discussions with few references to examples and little evaluation. Failing to draw a conclusion followed by over-generalizing were the two most common problems.
Question
Using a located example, outline two ways in which sustainable tourism supports the culture of local people.[4]
Explain two impacts of tourism on the natural environment of rural areas.[6]
Examine how the benefits of hosting one or more major international sporting events have been unevenly distributed.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Possibilities include:
- respecting/supporting cultures of local communities
- conserving cultural heritage
- reduces out-migration therefore retaining distinctive practices
- employment of local guides can lead to environmental preservation (nature can be part of cultural heritage).
Award [1] for each way and [1] for exemplification/location. If only one location is used, the second point must be developed in order for full marks to be awarded.
For example: Ecotourism in Uluru, Australia [1], helps aboriginal customs survive due to educating visitors [1].
Some possible impacts include: natural resources, pollution, conservation and protection, for example:
- conservation and protection, including the establishment of National Parks and other protected areas
- provision and construction of tourist facilities may increase pressure on forests, wetlands, wildlife and other ecosystems; eg deforestation by wood fuel collection in Nepal
- tourism may cause various forms of local pollution, such as noise pollution from recreational vehicles (eg jet skis); transportation increases air pollution, especially in urban areas; littering, sewage and waste disposal.
Award [1] for the identification of an environmental impact, and [2] for further development and/or exemplification.
For example: There may be a depletion of local water resources due to increased demand from hotels and golf courses [1], which may lead to a lowering of local water tables [1] with consequent changes to local habitats [1].
The benefits may be economic, social, short term, long term, etc. Benefits could be distributed between neighbourhoods, businesses, national government, etc. The focus should be a major event, such as Olympics, football World Cup, or Formula One (F1) race.
Benefits may include:
- raising the profile of a city, may lead to increased tourism and economic investment
- legacy of improved sporting venues, public transport and infrastructure
- creation of new jobs and reducing unemployment
- urban regeneration, including new housing and cleaning up polluted landscapes and the uneven spatial pattern of gentrification
- short-term boost to the local economy
- the value of the sporting legacy at different spatial scales.
Benefits are not shared equally between groups of people. Groups who have not shared benefits may be identified; however, do not credit an extended account of costs for marginalized groups as this is not asked for.
Good answers should examine both the short-term and long-term benefits of hosting major sporting events. They will examine a range of benefits on both local and national scales, with reference to suitable examples. They may go on to arrive at a reasoned judgement of who/where benefits most.
For band D, expect answers that describe the uneven distribution of some benefits of hosting an international sporting event.
For band E, expect either greater depth of explanation of a range of benefits and their uneven distribution, or some structured examination of the statement.
For band F, expect both of these elements.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.