Biomass energy is derived from the matter of living organisms including plants and animals. While some examples of biomass is straw, wood chips, animal dung and crop waste, others include energy crops like sugarcane, and forestry residue.
Due to its renewable nature, biomass energy is increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to unsustainable fossil fuels.
In recent years, the number of countries using biomass energy has been growing steadily. Today, biomass accounts for around 10% of the world’s total energy consumption.
Of course, the increased use of biomass energy doesn’t just affect the environment, it has effects on different economic sectors, including the tourism industry.
The Tourism Industry
The tourism industry is a significant contributor to the global economy. According to the World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals grew by 4.6% in 2019. In the same year, the tourism sector contributed to 10.4% of global gross domestic product, providing jobs for one in ten people worldwide.
Tourism is a fragile industry, delicate, and highly susceptible to changes in policies, market shifts, and global events. Any changes in tourism policies or practices can have a significant impact on the industry.
Moreover, the tourism industry has a unique relationship with the environment. The tourists that visit destinations are attracted, among other things, by the natural beauty, the flora, and fauna. This means that the impact of any change in the environmental system, such as the use of biomass energy, can have a significant effect on the tourism industry.
How Does Biomass Energy Impact The Tourism Sector?
Positive Impact
1. Job Creation
The wide-scale use of biomass energy can create new jobs in the local communities. The production, harvesting, and transportation of biomass require skilled and unskilled labor. These new jobs can be an employment source for the locals in the tourism sector, especially in rural and remote destinations, where other sources of employment may be limited.
2. Reduced Carbon Emissions
Biomass energy produces significantly lower carbon emissions as compared to fossil fuels. The carbon footprints generated by the tourism industry contribute to global warming. By reducing carbon emissions, tourism destinations can establish themselves as sustainable and eco-friendly, which can help attract tourist while easing environmental concerns.
3. Resource Conservation
Biomass energy can help conserve natural resources like wood and fossil fuels. It can reduce the dependency of the tourism industry on fossil fuels, foreign oil, and other non-renewable resources, making destinations more self-sufficient and self-reliant.
Negative Impact
1. Deforestation
The wide-scale use of biomass energy, especially wood biomass, can lead to deforestation. The tourism industry is heavily dependent on the natural beauty of the environment to attract tourists. Deforestation can lead to degradation of natural resources, and it can dramatically decrease the natural beauty of tourist destinations. This could lead to a decline in tourism, which, in turn, could damage the economy and the environment.
2. Increase in Air Pollution
While biomass energy produces lower carbon emissions, it may increase local air pollution levels. The combustion of biomass fuels may produce significant amounts of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and oxides. This can lead to respiratory issues in the local population, which may damage tourism destinations’ reputations and discourage visitors from returning.
3. Increased Traffic
Biomass production, harvesting, and transportation require large machinery and trucks. This may result in increased traffic in the local communities, damaging the local road infrastructure, causing noise pollution, and unpleasant odors. All these issues can be detrimental to the tourism industry, as tourists do not like visiting destinations with high levels of traffic and pollution.
Conclusion
Biomass energy can significantly impact the tourism industry in both positive and negative ways. While biomass energy can reduce pollution and establish destinations as eco-friendly, it can also lead to deforestation, increase air pollution, and increase traffic. The tourism industry is already facing significant challenges due to global environmental, social and economic changes. Thus, any change in the tourism sector’s policies and practices, especially regarding environmental issues, will require robust collaboration between the concerned parties, including governments, tourism professionals, stakeholders and local communities to ensure that the industry continues to thrive, but without damaging the environment.