Gatlinburg is a small town located just by the entrance to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and attracts around 11 millions visitors every year (The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, 2013). Along with activities offered in picturesque national park, like hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, cycling, ziplining, white water rafting, back country camping, trout fishing and horseback riding, Gatlinburg itself has a great deal of man-made attractions. Tourists can visit The Ripley's Museum of the Smokies, Believe It Or Not! Odditorium, Guinness World Records Museum, Hollywood Star Car Museum, Space Needle, Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway (America's largest) and Sky Lift, the only one in Tennessee Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park, Wastegate Wild Bear Falls Water Park, Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens and Mysterious Mansion (The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, 2013).
Socio-cultural, environmental and economic impacts of tourism
1.1 Tourism impacts on society and culture
a) Discuss two negative and two positive impacts that tourism could have on the society and culture of your chosen destination as a result of an influx of tourists.
POSITIVE
Tourism in Gatlinburg could affect local communities in positive way. First, by organising cultural events and local festivals, aimed for tourists, which also can give the local people recognition and pride of their heritage. In Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, hundreds of talented craftspeople and artists display their works: paintings, jewelry and pottery (The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, 2013).
NEGATIVE
Influx of tourists can cause overcrowding and congestion in this town with area of 10.1 square miles and 3,944 residents (United States Census Bureau, 2010). It can lead also to rise in crime.
b) Suggest how these negative impacts could be minimized.
Problem of overcrowding, congestion, pollution and noise can be minimized by introducing outside town car parks. Tourists are advised to leave their cars on the parking lots and use public transportation – trolleys – 8 different colored codes
