Transcript 1 Socio-cultural impacts of Tourism.

Socio-cultural impacts of
Tourism.


Holloway Ch. 17
Mathieson, A., & Wall, G., Tourism –
economic, physical and social impacts.
(Longman, 1992), Ch. 5.
1
Structure
Introduction
 Socio-cultural impacts of tourism.
 Conclusion.

2
Introduction




Cultural and social impacts of tourism are
becoming more important.
Generally, tourists, sharing different values, away
from their home environment behave differently on
holiday than in their own environment.
The social and cultural impacts of mass tourism are
most noticeable in less-developed countries (such
as Mozambique)
Also noticed in developed countries eg increases in
crime and other social problems in USA and
Europe.
What are social impacts?





Population growth in and around tourism
destinations.
Population decreases in rural areas, lower
agricultural and livestock production.
Less food produced, prices increase, people have to
earn more money to survive, so look for jobs in
tourism destinations to pay good wages.
This leads to further population growth at tourism
destination.
Because there aren’t enough jobs, crime increases,
as does begging, tourist harassment, prostitution,
drug use and other unsocial activities.
Social impacts contd.



Traditional forms of employment change
– farmers may offer some of their land
for tourism use (eg a campsite)
Increase in health risks through disease
(AIDS, hepatitis…)
Increase in sex tourism
Example – Victoria Falls
6
New destination.
(Using Victoria Falls as an example)
 Growth of tourism leads to the need for
urban expansion.
7
The impacts on…
Tourism
 Hotels
 Restaurants
 Travel agencies
 Shops
 Banks
 Transport
 Activities
 Etc…
Host population
 Housing
 Health facilities
 Education
 Clean water provision
 Rubbish collection
 Sewerage
 Electricity
 Etc…
Culture
“Culture is a complex thing which indicates
knowledge, beliefs, art, morality, laws,
customs and all the dispositions and habits
acquired by members of society.”
(Chimanikire 1996)
What are cultural impacts?






Art and craft
Language
Dancing
Way of life
Family values
Material possessions






Can be lost or revived
Loss or education
Cultural significance?
Better or worse?
Mostly negative
Important?
Culture contd.



Difficult to define correct behaviour. With more
exposure to tourists’ cultures, local cultures become
‘pseudo-native’ – one culture takes features from
another.
Acculturation theory: asserts that when two
cultures come into contact of any duration, each
becomes somewhat like the other through a
process of borrowing (Nunez 1977)
Tourism can be seen as the ‘development of a
‘Coca-Cola’ society within indigenous lifestyles
(Shivji, 1973)
Conclusion – potential negative impacts
Social
1.
Encouragement of urbanisation and
emigration
2.
Friction and resentment between
local people and visitors due to
over crowding and lack of access
for residents to recreational areas
and facilities
3.
Increase in health risks through
diseases such as AIDS, malaria,
hepatitis and influenza
4.
Increase in drug abuse and
prostitution
5.
Open antagonism and crimes
against visitors.
Cultural
1.
Commercialisation of traditional
welcome and hospitality customs
2.
Loss of cultural authenticity (eg
vulgarisation of traditional crafts,
importation of foreign cultural
influences
3.
Overcrowding and damage to
archaeological and historical sites
and monuments.
Conclusion contd.
General – potential negative impacts
1.
2.
3.
Damage to family structures and subsistence
food production
Displacement of local people to make way for
airports, resorts, nature reserves, historical and
other attraction sites, and other development
projects
Encouragement of anti-social behaviour such as
begging, touting and other harassment.