Tourism in Guatemala

Tourism is considered as one of the most important sources of economic benefit
to a country. Although it is not evident, because in recent times large numbers of people have come to Guatemala to enjoy the beauty and the colors of the “Land of Eternal Spring”.. Local people encounter this demand in the form of profit generation. People argue that tourism in Guatemala has brought wealth and well being for the majority of the local people, but some are starting to notice the negative sides. Tourism is also known for creating job opportunities and promoting social relations, and especially helps better understanding between nations. However, there is “a growing body of empirical evidence that the so called ‘benefits’ of tourism are often greatly outweighed by the substantial long term social and environmental costs incurred” (Mercer, 1994). In the case of Guatemala, many of tourism’s economic and social benefits that are thought to be helpful for the country, are actually...