Ice on the Land Tourism in an Alpine Area

IMPACTS

Starter:
Last lesson, you finished the fact file by thinking of one positive impact of tourism in the Chamonix ski resort and one negative impact. What did we come up with, as a class? Lets make a table...
Positive Impacts Negative Impacts

Think about how else we could classify these impacts...?

An Alpine Area for Sports and Sightseeing: Chamonix, France

Learning Objectives: To discuss and categorise the impacts of tourism in the Chamonix Alpine Area To compare and empathise with different views on and uses of the area

To make and justify a decision

In Geography, we like to classify/categorise certain impacts in three different ways. Think back to your work on Thailand and Machu Picchu in the tourism unit of year 10 and try to remember the three categories...

So, lets create a Venn Diagram to categorise some impacts. Some, I will give you to help get you started, but you must think of more for yourself. Remember to think of both positive and negative impacts, and put them in the appropriate place in your Venn Diagram...

Positive: Negative: Environmental

Here are some to get you started,,,

People drive or fly long distances to get to a ski resort. Global warming is forcing ski resorts to higher altitudes, which are more ecologically sensitive.

Skiing creates a lot of seasonal employment on the slopes and in apresski activities.

There is a lot of parttime ownership of properties by tourists, changing the culture/atmosphere of the villages.

The many tourists in the area drive up property prices for the locals.

Local and traditional jobs are lost to lower skilled seasonal jobs for the tourists.

Snow cannons are used to artificially create snow from local fresh water supplies.

There are big improvements in the infrastructure of the resorts and nearby towns and transport routes.

Have a look at the following conflict matrix, which shows some affected parties in a typical ski resort. If you can, write whether they agree or disagree in the correct boxes with reasons. Afterwards, write down some full reasons to justify your decisions.

Agree

Disagree

Paul is a local resident

Anna is an environmentalist

Jo is a skiing tourist John is a local hotel manager Gary is a local handy man Steve is a local restaurant worker Stuart is a squirrel who lives in the woods on the slopes

Plenary
Who agrees with who? And why? Which people disagree? And why?

Which impacts of skiing seem to affect most people? And why do you think that is?
Which do you think are the most serious impacts of skiing? And finally... ...come up with one management solution ready for next lesson to improve the situation on the slopes.

The creation of Chamonix has created problems and conflicts

PROBLEM
Forests have been cleared to create wide pistes suitable for skiing and snowboarding
The noise and movement of skiers can set off avalanches. 12 people were killed in Chamonix by Avalanches in 1999. Air pollution from traffic pollution has increased as tourist numbers have increased. It is worse than the centre of Paris. The cold air traps the pollution in the valley. Huge amount of energy is used to run facilities for tourists e.g. The hotels, lifts, cable cars, snow cannons. This releases CO2 and contributes to global warming Tourists drop litter from their snacks Noise pollution is caused by bars and nightclubs as people enjoy the Aprs Ski Scene.

Rank the problems

YOUR SOLUTION