How do package holidays damage the environment?

Question

And what are the social/political effects of such holidays? A direct comparison with "eco holidays" would be very useful.

Answer 1

package holidays benefits all ! the people who have holidays, and those who give you the great time.

Economically it is good to everyone.  You can't swimm accross the ocean, so you need a plane, and that  works with kerosene. Then, you have those poor countries which welcome tourists because a lot of people have a job because of you.(to feed their family). Politically, contries have common contract of exchange.they make arrangement to each other in exchange of services or product or natural ressources. Some tours operators, organize eco vacation, most in africa, where you will be living at the host (private) use  their accomodation (shower, WC, but in africa, you might have water once in week and no bathroom at all) if it is ok for you to wipe your self with baby wipes, it is fine. just find out how to dicard the wipes...

The "restaurant"  will be the host table. you have to eat what they offer. they are generally aware of turists habit, but they won't offer you what the 3stars hotel next door has... you have to be prepared to have diahrrea, stomach ache,

If you have decided to do the eco-turism within the usa, you have those ranch or big farm houses where you can be usuful by helping out and use their facilities.

The other altenativ is  : stay home if you are not ready.

In france (where i live actually) eco-turism is actually very trendy. You will start being used after 2 or 3 trips or a long period of holidays, because if you are not used... it is very hard, especially for american people.