1. Honestly, I feel like tourism can only be truly ethical if it challenges the inequalities and colonialism that developed it in the first place. Tourism often seems to help or benefit travelers way more than the locals in the spots they visit. But I really believe that ethical tourism can work if it’s all about supporting and helping local communities, letting them take charge, and honoring their culture. For example, in the Philippines, some communities have their own tours and shops, which helps keep the money local. As for travelers, they should be aware and keep in mind how their presence affects the area and take a moment to check out the history and challenges of the place before they arrive. It's all about being respectful, and since they're not from around here, there are some dos and don'ts that need to be followed. Ethical tourism is more than just being a good tourist, It’s all about fairness and supporting and helping out locals, as many are hustling to run their businesses and support their families. It is hard work.

   
   

2. I think it's important for governments to steer tourism in a way that looks out for the locals and the spots people are visiting, instead of just going after money.   If profit is the main focus, tourism can end up causing gentrification, eliminating cultural identity and could eventually harm the environment. Governments should really focus on achieving long-term success by backing locally owned businesses and making sure communities get a voice in how tourism grows and develops there.   In some places where there are developing countries or small island nations, tourism usually helps the big resorts way more than the local workers or businesses. So if the government focused more on local voices and sustainability, tourism could really be a way of improving and helping communities instead of just taking advantage of them.

3. I've been to Japan, and my roots are in the Philippines, which I visit too. Tourism is a big deal in both places, but it impacts them in different ways, showing both the good and the non good sides. Tourism in Japan really boosts the economy, especially in spots like Kyoto, but it’s also shifted how the locals go about their daily lives. When I visited, it was super crowded with tourists and a bunch of tours happening all at once. My family and I have done some group tours, and it can be a real challenge to get through those narrow alleyways with so many people trying to squeeze through at the same time, especially in Tokyo Shibuya. I've noticed that when we go in shops, they're all locals but it seems like sometimes they get a bit overwhelmed by all the crowds as well and try to help many people at once and I've noticed that some tourists are extremely rude due to the language barrier and trying to understand them. But some other locals love it and are always so unbothered and happy when you approach their booth. We went to an ice cream booth in my fuji run by a local who sold their grown fruits on the side of the road and they are always so happy when you buy things from them. I also feel like there are a lot of places that tourists don't visit in Japan which feels like its unbalanced and there are hotspots and people who sell their items there make more money then other local spots which I feel like tourism hotspots should be spread more evenly so others who work just as hard in spots that are as filled with tourist get evenly money as well. Next, tourism in the Philippines really plays an important part in the economy, especially in spots like Palawan and Boracay which are beach/boating spots, but it also shows how delicate that balance can be. So, when Boracay shut down for six months in 2018 due to pollution, it really hit home that overdoing tourism can ruin the beautiful spots people love to visit and tourism should be a benefit, not a burden to some.

4. I don't always think it's a good idea for tourism development for developing countries. I'm not quite sure, it's debatable because it can and does bring in money and work, but I think it makes people in the area depend on strangers more instead of giving them real chances.  Also, I think that poor countries will continue to depend on money from other countries and therefore their own people don't directly benefit.

Article about Geisha Ban: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/08/kyoto-geisha-district-tourist-ban-gion 

Article about Costa Rica and Other Countries:

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/countries-leading-the-way-in-sustainable-tourism/#gsc.tab=0