Water Scarcity and Tourism: (CITATION AYH98 /L 1033)

Water covers70% of our planet.
Only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, and two third of that
is ticked away in frozen glaciers or; or else unavailable for our use. As a result, 1.1 billion people
world-wide lack access to water and 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one month of the
year. Many of the water sources that keep the ecosystem thriving and feed a growing human
population and have become stressed. Rivers, lakes and aquifers are drying up or being polluted.
More than half the world’s wetlands have disappeared.
So, water scarcity is the lack of fresh water resources to meet the standard water demand. Water
scarcity is being driven by two converging phenomena, depletion of usable freshwater resources
and growing use of freshwater. The water scarcity and water availability puts significant
constraints in the social and economic development of countries; and deteriorates the quality of
life of a human. A key economic sector in most of the countries around the world is the primary
sector and their economy is mainly based on agricultural production. Agriculture accounts for
more than 80% of the total water consumption and water shortages have a distinct effect on the
quantity and quality of the agricultural product and thus on the economy of the countries. The
water consumption for domestic purposes increases due to population growth, which presses for
high water quantity. [ CITATION AYH98 \l 1033 ]
Water Scarcity and Tourism
Tourism is a sector with latent for sustainable economic growth for both developing and rising
economies. International Tourism has been growing accordingly since half a century and
recently reached over one billion international arrivals [ CITATION UMW12 \l 1033 ]. Almost all
of the underdeveloped or least developed countries rely mainly on tourism as their primary
source of foreign exchange earnings. [ CITATION SGo09 \l 1033 ]

The proverb “ Water Scarcity for Tourism and by Tourism “ is stated quite correctly. Tourists
need water for their daily use wherever they go. Their usage of water, circuits the locals in a very
hard way. According to one recent estimate, the amount of water served to 100 guests in a luxury
hotel for just 55 days can support 100 families in a village of Africa for three years. [ CITATION
MHa13 \l 1033 ]
The Mediterreanean is the most visited tourist region in the world with 300 million arrivals per
year, and has already been identified as an area where tourism puts extensive pressure on water
supplies[ CITATION RLa12 \l 1033 ], [ CITATION MKe02 \l 1033 ] . In Bali, Indonesia, tourism
repeatedly consumes 65% of local water resources and conflict between hotel industries and
local communities is palpable[ CITATION SCo12 \l 1033 ],. Changes in distribution of water
supply in favour of tourism and reduced water quality raises questions about water equity,
between commercial and household users[ CITATION Tou12 \l 1033 ]. Understanding and
addressing water challenges including moral aspects of water equity therefore requires an
integrative approach that goes beyond studying stand-alone sectoral water use and understands
the interaction amongst multiple players[ CITATION PKa13 \l 1033 ], [ CITATION MMR09 \l
1033 ].
Causes of Water Scarcity
The degradation of water quality contributes to the shortage of water. Water pollution has
environmental consequences that make water unfit for the consumption or use and reduce the
available water resources. The misuse of water is a big issue which leads to water scarcity. The
insufficient management of water resources, whether it be for agriculture using 70% of the
world’s accessible fresh water , industrial activities or domestic use. Over the last 50 years, the
world’s population has doubled and continues to grow. As a result, the use of water to drink,
code and meet other needs has tripled. Glaciers and ice packs are melting in some areas,
affecting the fresh water supplies. Moreover, because of global warming there are more and
more droughts, floods and heat waves. Climate change therefore is aggravating the water crisis,
especially in regions that are already under water stress. (https://solarimpulse.com/foundation)
Effects of Water scarcity
Apart from dehydration due to obvious lack of drinking water, hunger is one of the most serious
effects of water scarcity. Water shortages have a direct impact on crops and livestocks which can
lead to food shortage or eventually starvation. Water scarcity generates sanitation problems by
forcing people to drink unsafe water. Lack of water causes serious diseases like trachoma, plague
and typhus. Water scarcity has numerous negative impacts on rivers, lakes and other freshwater
resources. It harms the environment in several ways including nutrient pollution, loss of
floodplains and wetlands. Ecosystem and biodiversity are threatened by the scarcity of water
resources. (https://solarimpulse.com/foundation)
Preventions of Water scarcity issue
Improving water infrastructure must be a priority as water conservation and efficiency are key
components of sustainable water management. Solar desalination and smart irrigation systems
are great examples of clean examples of clean technology for water deficiency and control. That
applies even more to agriculture and the farming sector. Rainwater harvesting and recycled
wastewater also allow to reduce scarcity and ease pressures on ground water and other natural
water bodies. Groundwater recharge that allows water moving from surface water to
groundwater is a well known process to prevent water scarcity. Without proper sanitation, the
water becomes full of disease and unsafe to drink. That is why addressing pollution, measuring
and monitoring water quality is essential. Besides, improving the sewage system in specific areas
is another way to prevent water scarcity from becoming any worse. And, Water should be
consumed as a biological necessity rather than a luxury product. Education is critical to solve the
water crisis. In fact, in order to cope with future water scarcity, it is essential to radically reform
all forms of consumption, from individual use to the supply chains of large companies.
(https://solarimpulse.com/foundation)
Bibliography
A Cashman, W. M. (2013). A market-based proposal for encouraging water use efficiemcy in a

tourism based economy.
Cole, S. (2012). A political ecology of water equity and Tourism.
Hoekstra, A. (1998). Appreciation of water: Four perspectives.
Kabat, P. (2013). Water at a crossroads.
Lanquar, R. (2012). Tourism in the Mediterranean.
M. Hadjikakou, G. M. (2013). Estimating the direct and indirect water use of Tourism.
M. Kent, R. N. (2002). Tourism and Sustainable water supply in Mallorca.
M.M. Rico, D. (2009). Tourist land use patterns and water demands; evidence from the western
Mediterranean.
S. Gossling, C. H. (2009). The challenges of tourism as a development strategy in an era of a

global climate change.
Tourism Concern. (2012).
UNWTO. (2012).
https://solarimpulse.com/foundation

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Water covers70% of our planet.

Only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, and two third of that

More than half the world’s wetlands have disappeared.

high water quantity. [ CITATION AYH98 \l 1033 ]

Water Scarcity and Tourism

source of foreign exchange earnings. [ CITATION SGo09 \l 1033 ]

Causes of Water Scarcity

especially in regions that are already under water stress. (https://solarimpulse.com/foundation)

Effects of Water scarcity

Preventions of Water scarcity issue

A Cashman, W. M. (2013). A market-based proposal for encouraging water use efficiemcy in a

Cole, S. (2012). A political ecology of water equity and Tourism.

Hoekstra, A. (1998). Appreciation of water: Four perspectives.

Kabat, P. (2013). Water at a crossroads.

Lanquar, R. (2012). Tourism in the Mediterranean.

M. Kent, R. N. (2002). Tourism and Sustainable water supply in Mallorca.

S. Gossling, C. H. (2009). The challenges of tourism as a development strategy in an era of a

Tourism Concern. (2012).

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