LETTER | Tourism industry is a “lucrative merchandise”. In 2022, travel and tourism accounted for one in eleven jobs worldwide and contributed US$7.7 trillion to the global economy and Malaysia's second-largest source of foreign exchange income (14 percent of GDP).

Positive impacts include enhancing the amenities of a region and supporting the community through economic activities, building community pride and identity and broadening community horizons.

Bali learned the hard way through the impact of commercial gentrification. Residents got the worst of the deal from insensitive behaviour, overconsumption of water, plastic pollution, and traffic jams to overdevelopment. Tourist dollars drive up local prices making them less affordable for locals. Renting out homes drives up housing prices, creating shortages.

It is difficult for small and medium enterprises to compete in terms of capital, management, technology and marketing.

Its famous rice terraces are fast disappearing so is the “Island of the Gods”. The padi fields that absorb water during rainy seasons contribute to potential flooding.

Tourism contributes around 60-70 percent of Bali's economy employing more than 20 percent of the population with low-level jobs. Beyond the pageantry of holding traditional ceremonies, a question arises of its authenticity and whether is it a cultural degradation exploited through commercialisation.

Excessive reliance can be dangerous as experienced during the pandemic and wars. Moderation is key in all aspects of life and overindulging can lead to negative consequences.

Malaysia must learn from Bali and other cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice.

We are inviting more with “Visit Malaysia Year 2026”.

Malacca’s “Visit Malacca Year 2024” is successful with about 10 million visitors as of the end of September, exceeding its original target of 8.7 million for the whole year, banking on the celebrity attraction of Fan Bingbing.

Up north, last year, Penang welcomed around 600,000 international passengers to its shores compared to about 400,000 in 2022 and 2019. George Town and Gurney Drive are already experiencing tensions between rapid tourism growth, urban livability and effects on the natural environment.

Both Melaka and Georgetown are designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Economic activities may be better but natural surroundings change. If services are overstretched followed by bad experiences, there will be no return visits and also recommend others not to come.

Comprehensive sustainable tourism planning and execution strategies especially for heritage preservation are vital and needed urgently. We need innovative solutions and prioritising sustainability to avoid the experience in Pulau Sembilan, south of Pangkor Island which has been closed since 2017.

It is a mistake if we put the environment and residents on the back burner. Effective policies and rules are essential in managing tourist inflows and minimising environmental and social damage.

Overtourism happens mainly due to government inaction and poor planning. Governments often overlook tourism's negative impacts and fail to implement measures to manage tourist numbers, leading to overcrowded destinations.

Further, selling the idea of a cheap destination may be a double-edged sword.

The federal and state governments and the private sector must collaborate. Promote other destinations by picking a niche that offers unique experiences and attracts attention to these places. There must be diversity, innovation and collaboration. It will also save on unnecessary infrastructure upgrades.

Tourism should be seen not only as an economic engine that sells services but as part of a global natural and socio-cultural system that should be preserved for future generations and be mindful of its effect on climate change.

What say you?

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.