2. Sociocultural impacts: associated with interactions between peoples and culture background, attitudes and behaviors, and their relationships to material goods.[1] The introduction of tourists to sensitive areas can be detrimental, cause a loss of culture, or, alternatively, contribute to the preservation of culture and cultural sites through increased resources.
3. Economic impacts: usually seen as positive, contributing to employment, better services, and social stability. Also it may improve in terms of cultural education which one may have not considered.[3] Yet these impacts can also contribute to high living costs within the community, pushing local business out of the areas, and raising costs for locals
The study of the effect that tourism has on environment and communities involved is relatively new. Impacts are not easily categorized, having direct and indirect components.[1] Also tourism is often seasonal, and impacts only become apparent after time, with varying effects, and at different stages of development.[1][2] There are three main categories.
1. Environmental impacts: impacts that affect the carrying capacity of the area, vegetation, air quality, bodies of water, the water table, wildlife, and natural phenomena.