Assessment 2: Essay
Due: Week 13,  5 PM on Friday, 3 February
Length: 1,500 words
Weighting: 50%

Task
Critically discuss the following statement:  “The positive economic, sociocultural and/or environmental benefits that tourism can achieve for the host community far outweigh any negative impacts brought about by tourism.”

In your discussion you need to use a minimum of two current impact issues (economic, environmental, and/or sociocultural) and discuss both the positive and negative impacts of the issues you choose.  Use specific, concrete
examples from at least two countries of the Pacific Asia region to demonstrate your argument(s).  You may compare and contrast how these impact issues play out in different geographic contexts. These could be, for example, economic benefits versus costs, environmental benefits versus costs, and sociocultural benefits versus costs. Try to explain why there are different outcomes in your different country case studies and how these may be best managed.  Finally, conclude whether or not “The positive economic, sociocultural and/or environmental benefits that tourism can achieve for the host community far outweigh any negative impacts brought about by tourism.”  As in Assignment 1, you are encouraged to use visual devices such as figures and tables.

Marking criteria

Your essay will be graded according to the following criteria:

• evaluates and discusses the positive and negative impacts of at least two current issues (economic, environmental, and/or sociocultural)
• uses specific examples from at least two countries from the Pacific Asia region to support your argument
• evidence of engagement with relevant theory and academic literature
• clear essay structure: introduction, body with paragraphs and conclusion (do not use headings)
• innovative use of visual devices (e.g. maps, figures, and tables)
• clear and concise expression
• consistent Harvard in-text referencing and reference list.

General instructions

Submit the report electronically in the appropriate assignment link in Blackboard.