Economic and Environmental Costs of Tourism: Evidence from District Abbottabad

Abstract

Tourism plays an important role in economic development however; it also cost the environment and local population. This study analyzes the economic and environmental cost related with tourism and its impacts on local residents in the district Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Primary as well as secondary data is used. The responses of respondents including local residents, tourists, hotel managers and shopkeepers associated with economic and environmental costs are being captured via Questionnaires and interviews. It is found that tourism increase traffic congestion, prices of good, littering and noise pollution. Tourism is a key source of livelihood for millions of people however; it should be sustainable to conserve environment.