ABSTRACT
This chapter explores both the positive and negative impacts of tourism and agriculture on the economy, environment, and society. Tourism can impact the environmental health of a destination and the social fabric and culture of a region. Tourism can provide small business opportunities and create jobs, which often require low levels of human capital. Human capital is defined as the knowledge, habits, and social and personality attributes held by members of society and the ability to perform labor to produce economic value. Sustainable tourism—tourism development that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future—is a natural offshoot of the sustainable development movement. One reason that local food sourcing is increasing in popularity has to do with concerns about the potential impacts of globalized food chains on the environment. Social capital consists of two primary elements: social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for one another.
