1.2.2. Environmental issues connected to tourism

Even though as we have already analyzed measures promoting sustainable tourism are more intensively promoted nowadays, the environmental challenges that tourism causes are still present and prevalent. The most important of those challenges include:

• Threat to biodiversity: It has been observed that due to the overdevelopment of infrastructure that tourism facilities bring, loss of habitat can be caused. Additionally, deforestation and overuse of natural resources for tourism purposes can pose a threat to biodiversity. Especially, when sensitive ecosystems are concerned such as coastal areas, rainforests etc. tourism can disrupt their well-being and even pose a threat to endangered species (Christ et al., 2003).
• Water Scarcity and Pollution: High water demand from tourist facilities and recreational activities, along with inadequate wastewater treatment and pollution from tourism-related activities, can degrade water quality, harm aquatic ecosystems, and threaten public health (Scott, Gössling & Hall, 2015).
• Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions: Tourism activities, especially transportation and accommodation, contribute to excessive energy consumption and carbon emissions, deteriorating the situation of climate change and its associated environmental impacts. Air travel, in particular, releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming (Scott, Gössling & Hall, 2008).
• Waste Management: Tourism is to be blamed for the production of large amounts of waste, including packaging, food waste, and disposable items. In destinations with inadequate waste management infrastructure, tourism can exacerbate pollution and littering, threatening marine and terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife (Koliotasi, Abeliotis & Tsartas, 2023).