What can be done to make travel and tourism a force for good for residents, visitors and future generations? (The lake district case studies).
Reynolds Boateng (Host): Founder and CEO at Boateng Travel | Dr. Crispin Dale (Guest Speaker): Senior lecturer for Travel and Tourism | Dr. Peter Robison (Guest Speaker): Head of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management | Dr. Shola Osinaike (Guest Speaker): Head of Tourism, Hospitality, Events and Marketing
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Reynolds Boateng (Host): Founder and CEO at Boateng Travel | Dr. Crispin Dale (Guest Speaker): Senior lecturer for Travel and Tourism | Dr. Peter Robison (Guest Speaker): Head of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management | Dr. Shola Osinaike (Guest Speaker): Head of Tourism, Hospitality, Events and Marketing
Podcast Takes
What has change in contemporary tourism compare to tourism in 70’s
Current tourism challenges including mass tourism which has always been an issue especially for residents goes back in the 1950’s & 60s. By which the birth of motor car even made access to rural and urban areas much easier. Even though travellers were still travelling overseas around the 50’s and 60’s, mass tourism at rural and urban destinations was and is till date a challenge for such destinations. Current challenge compared to tourism in the 50s and 60s is the rise of its negative impact such as erosion, house prices, congestions, etc. at destinations.
Is tourism important?
Tourism is massively important because of the ability the industry offers, including income, people’s health and wellbeing, and culture awareness etc. It also provides lots of economy benefits such as creating jobs, supporting local jobs and businesses. But tourism only becomes an issue when its positive impact benefits just handful of people and not everyone at a destination. Thus, for example when local government refuses to invest tourism revenues back into infrastructures such as building hospitals, roads, universities for all to benefit from it.
Examples of sustainable tourism products essential for residents, visitors, and future generation
Lack of proper tourism revenue investment can ruin destination reputation or credibility. This is why sustainable tourism products are essential for visitors, residents, and future generations, for example:
Events/Festivals: organising events and or festivals does not just benefit local people, but both visitors and future generation can benefit from them as well. For example, organising a culture events or festivals, will expose visitors to know more about the destination culture, motivate residents to patronise and become a learning environment for future generations.
Mega cities growth
Drivers of mega cities growth compared to other regions at a destination are mostly determined by number of residents, resources, and wealth. For example, in England London is a mega city compared to other cities across the country (see below diagram) because of the city’s seize of residents, resources and wealth. Here are some few facts about London testifying its position as a mega city in the UK:
· According to City of London statistics (2025), London ‘’is a key driver of the economy, generating £109bn in economic output annually. The City accounts for one in every five financial services jobs in GB. The city also contributes to the wider economy, generating £1.2bn in business rates’’.
· ‘’The value of economic output, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in London was £618 billion in 2023, accounting for 22.3% of the UK’s GDP. These figures are from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and are the most recent available. London’s GDP per person of £69,077 is the highest of any region or nation of the UK, and well above the UK average of £39,403’’ (House of Commons Library, 2025).
Source: ONS, Country and regional public sector finances, UK: financial year ending 2023, June 2024
Regarding tourism, how then can the following questions be answered about cities (both mega and minor ones):
§ How can residents and visitors’ numbers be determined to distinguish their differences from each other?
§ How can we conclude that if mass number of people at a particular destination is over tourism or overcrowding?
§ Can technology be helpful in this matter?
All above questions remain open for answers before actions are undertaken by authorities. Because lack of accuracy can lead to unprecise decisions.
Lake District case studies
Among other actions undertaking by authorities at the lake district, a fair tourist tax is a way forward to reduce tourism externalities impact at a destination.
Although since the numbers between tourists and residence cannot accurately be measured, overcrowding at destinations can be a sign of change. Thus, for example when destination authorities begin to see some changes like increased number of people on high streets and its affecting transportation systems for example, tourist tax can be a perfect solution to generate revenues from visitors to invest back in the transportation services. But research must be carried out to determine areas that are mostly affected by visitors at a particular destination.
Conclusion:
Travel and Tourism is not bad. However, if effective collaboration between stakeholders is well coordinated, everybody will enjoy the benefits of it.
City of London (2025) City Statistics briefing. Available at: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/supporting-businesses/economic-research/research-publications/city-statistics-briefing
House of Commons Library (2025) London's National Contribution To The National Economy. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2025-0153/#:~:text=GDP%2C%20productivity%20and%20FDI,of%20output%20per%20hour%20worked.
Morrison, A.M.; Maxim, C. (2022) World Tourism Cities. 1. Routledge.
Stanford, D. (2024) 'Who Pays for the lake district', Research commissioned by Friends of the lake district. Available at: https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=c7173bad-8b31-41d0-8d53-8190bd8d3045
World Travel and Tourism Council (2025) Destination Stewardship. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Oz_YwTxxqBqvCaXSbNz9_oH4jBSMdO5/view?pli=1 (Accessed: 20 August 2025).
Reynolds Boateng (Host): Founder and CEO at Boateng Travel | Mr. Jeremy Smith (Guest Speaker): Head of Campaigns and Engagement...
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Reynolds Boateng (Host): Founder and CEO at Boateng Travel | Mr. Jeremy Smith (Guest Speaker): Head of Campaigns and Engagement at Friends of the Lake District
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