The book Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey reflects profound admiration for the environment and an utmost abhorrence of any person, policy or activity that desecrates it. Abbey not only esteems the beauty of the natural world in the entire autobiographical work, but also laments and denounces destruction of nature, in particular, when people support their actions by claiming that they promote industrial tourism and civilization. Although the environmental activist presents genuine concerns about ecological conservation, he fails to consider the value of industrial tourism and its rightful place in the modern era. For that reason, it is imperative to explore the subject of industrial tourism with the aim of understanding its importance to a country, investors and the society as a whole. Authorities and the society should emphasize industrial tourism in natural heritage, for instance, national parks to promote job creation and improve people’s experience with nature.
The increased human presence in Arches National Monument through industrial tourism promotes people’s emotional and profound connection to nature and environment. As the world continues to witness many cases of environmental degradation, people ought to work together with authorities to fight the menace for the betterment of today and future’s generation. However, to understand the value of nature, individuals must experience its beauty by being physically present, for instance in parks. As a consequence, the physical presence would enable many individuals to develop a richer understanding of the importance of preserving the environment and seek ways to individually or collectively participate. In contrast, if a small number of people experience natural sights, then few of them would be emotionally connected to the environment and understand the significance of protecting it. Hence, this discussion shows that industrial tourism should be encouraged because it plays a pivotal role in the protection of nature and environment.
Industrial tourism creates jobs for many people who leverage the opportunity to support their lives and those of their families. According to Abbey, industrial tourism employs individuals who invest in services, including hospitality, road-building, and retailing (56). The persons start the businesses to facilitate tourists’ movement within Arches National Monument or offer necessary services or products. Without a doubt, the creation of these jobs implies that the presence of the national park not only benefits people who visit it to admire nature but also the government through tourism revenue and companies or individuals who offer different services. Although Abbey argues that the industrial tourism threatens the park, for example, due to constructions of modern roads, the industry provides job opportunities for individuals and income for the government to support the economy or improve other areas within the same park.
Industrial tourism encourages the use of automobiles to enable people to visit many parts of the park. Due to the size of the natural heritage, tourists can drive vehicles to cover long distances to view and learn about nature. Although Abbey discourages the use of cars and urges people to walk, ride bicycles or horses, tourists may use automobiles and motorcycles because they are just modes of transport that allow them to reach particular points. Furthermore, use of vehicles within the park does not imply degrading the environment because it only requires a few roads and parking spaces. What is more, the use of cars does not define a visitor’s experience with nature because one’s presence in the park is enlivening notwithstanding whether one walks or drives. Therefore, although one may argue that driving does not allow a visitor to experience the intrinsic value of nature, the practice only offers a realistic and effective way for people to travel widely within the monument.
Industrial tourism does not lead to environmental degradation as Abbey argues. According to the author, the presence of people in Arches National Monument degrades the value of its environment through pollution that may accompany industrial tourism. However, the government cannot prevent people from visiting natural heritages because they are likely to pollute the environment. This would be a misguided justification that may deny individuals the opportunity to view nature and understand its importance. Admittedly, while pollution may adversely damage the environment, relevant authorities should develop and implement policies to ensure that people do not pollute the environment. As an illustration, the government may prohibit throwing of garbage not only to maintain cleanliness but also to ensure health and safety in the park. What is more, people should not be allowed to smoke while inside the monument to avoid possible fires. Therefore, people may benefit significantly from industrial tourism and at the same time preserve the beauty of nature.
Industrial tourism encourages people from different parts of the world to visit and experience the natural world. The availability of good roads and a variety of services in the park, for instance, cafeterias, motivate many people to visit different areas within the park to view various species of animals and plants to experience the magnificence nature of different sights. Markedly, this assessment contradicts the author’s opinion because he believes that the presence of roads reduces people’s admiration for hiking and other activities (62). Abbey’s condemnation of construction of roads because he does not want visitors to drive in the park is misguided because the roads only enhance visitors’ movement as they interact with nature. As an illustration, a group of students may cover a longer distance and interact with nature more profoundly when they travel on a modern road as opposed to when they walk on dirty paths. The increased human presence in the park does not infiltrate its natural beauty but instead simplifies ways through which the same people view the environment. Hence, industrial tourism contributes significantly to attracting myriad persons to visit the park to view and learn about nature.
Moreover, the availability of different services offered by industrial tourism encourages people who may fear to visit due to various factors. To demonstrate, not all people boast great camping or hiking skills and knowledge. In the same way, not all persons can last for long hours in a desert due to body conditions, including age and physical challenges. In spite of these problems, many people may have the desire and enthusiasm to experience the environment. Hence, the availability of favorable conditions in the pack inspires them to visit as opposed to listening to stories about it or learn about it through documentary films. As an illustration, a person who admires a particular species of a plant or animal may visit a national park to view it and value its importance in the environment instead of reading about on the internet or in libraries. Without a doubt, arguing that all people ought to walk through the dirt and hilly roads in the park denies some of them an opportunity to interact with nature. Therefore, providing a wide variety of services in the park increases the number of individuals who desire to explore and understand nature.
Industrial tourism raises people’s awareness of natural monuments. Whereas some people like to travel and experience new environments away from their homes and workplaces, others abhor the hobby for particular reasons. However, the development of parks through industrial tourism may attract such persons because they understand that they can travel and view nature conveniently, in particular, due to the infrastructure available. Accordingly, the visits may make them understand and appreciate nature more. Furthermore, they may gain interest in preserving the beauty of nature not only in parks but also in their homes and neighborhoods. Hence, contrary to Abbey’s view about industrial tourism, it is beneficial to people’s lives because they gain an in-depth understanding of natural environment and establish the roles they can play to preserve it.
In essence, the federal and state governments in the United States ought to accentuate industrial tourism not only to improve visitors’ interaction with nature but also to enable people to benefit from various job opportunities. As the paper indicates, environmental activist should not view industrial tourism as a way to degrade the environment but instead as a practice that encourages many people to visit parks and other monuments to interact with nature. What is more, the practice necessitates the physical and technological development of monuments to encourage and motivate people to desire to learn about nature through physical presence. Indeed, while a person may present the argument that constructing modern roads in parks infiltrates land’s natural beauty and disrupts the inherent nature of the environment, it is clear that the strategy only simplifies movement to allow more visitors to understand nature and appreciate its value. Indisputably, although Abbey portrays industrial tourism negatively, it is imperative to consider the practice in a different light to gain an in-depth understanding of its significance.
Work Cited
Abbey, Edward. Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness. McGraw-Hill Education, 1968.
