To begin with, I want to differentiate between tourism and travelling because it is crucial to define what tourism is in order to discuss its benefits and drawbacks. Paul Theroux says, “Tourists don't know where they've been, travellers don't know where they're going.” I suppose he means that the travellers are the ones who wander, the ones who do not lack the spirit of adventure, the ones who are not afraid of unpredictable and unexpected situations, whereas the tourists are those who buy and consume an illusion of travelling, those who see what they want to see, instead of seeing the reality, thus not getting to know the places they have been to.
I think the word “tourism” implies some kind of formal organisation, arrangements and planning as well; I cannot really imagine a tourist without a number of other tourists around him, or at least a guide. …
