Sociology of Tourism

3596:
Discipline: Sociology
Instructor: Scott
Credits: 3
Day: B
Start: 1550
End: 1705
Field Work: Day 1 - Wednesday, 18 March | MauritiusDOWNLOAD SYLLABUS

This course is an examination the relationship between tourism and social life from a
sociological perspective. The root idea being that it is natural for human beings to make
contact with other human beings and for societies to create leisure institutions to engage
in cultural exchange and enjoyment. This course will examine tourist practices and how
they are shaped and made meaningful within a social context. As we investigate why
people travel, how they travel, and what they do while they are “on the road”, we will
see that tourism is not on the margins of the social world, but rather deeply
interconnected with everyday social life, from the personal to the global. Through
readings, discussing and writing, we will explore the ways tourism is a material,
symbolic, and political representation of many of the features of contemporary society’s
achievements and ills: modernity and post modernity, consumption and cultural
commoditization, the aestheticization of everyday life, democratization and social
inequalities, questions of authenticity, embodiment and identity, gender relations,
technology, social mobility and power, and globalizati  We will review the tourist-
related discourses and research literatures to instill the directions these conversations
are taking in the 21st century. century. Finally, we will study the tourist practices in
each country we visit as a unique case study of global leisure life.

Field Work
Country: Mauritius
Day: 1 - Wednesday, 18 March

It is projected by the Vision 2020 report by the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure in
Mauritius that by 2014 tourism will more than double from 422,263 to
l,030,000.   Why? Mauritius is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and is
considered an oasis of beauty and peace in the Indian Ocean, but at whose expense?  A
cultural cornucopia of melting post of religions, with Hinduism, Christianity, Islam,
and Buddhism, cultural mixtures of “colored” and privileged peoples from all over the
world, and spectacular white beaches are protected by a coral reef barrier that encircles
the entire coastline. First, our purpose of the field lab is to examine island tourism and
gain an up-close understanding of the interplay between world-class five starred
resorts, local NGO’s that critic who works tirelessly to reduce threats to the coastlines of
Mauritius, and the government groups linked the Minister and Leisure Office. Second,
we wish to identity and raise questions of the “stakeholders’ on all sides says, doing,
influencing policy, environment, and political decisions? Finally, our field lab will take
us to the charming coastal village of Flic en Flac, and we will spend our time there
exploring the “pros and cons” of tourism.  We will examine the truths and myths of
“studying up”—by examining the ways of the wealthy and the beliefs or myths that
their presence creates a trickle-down effect on the poverty, democratic stability, and
well-being of the lives of Mauritians. Academic Objectives: 1. To witness the socio-
economic divide in Flic en Flac. 2. To listen to the voices of that from privilege and non-
privilege. 3. To discern the arguments and the actions that follow impact on the people,
families and land of Mauritius.

Sociology of Tourism

1. 1.  Introduction  Effect on the Individual  Effect on the Family  Effects on Society 

Resentment  Life Characteristics & Travel  Negative Social Effects on a Host Society 
Travel Patterns Related to Age  Emergence of Group Travel Patterns  Social (subsidized)
Tourism  Summary of the Principal Social Effect of Tourism  Barriers to Travel
2. 2.  Appreciate the inordinate social impact.  Recognize that a country‟s indigenous
population may resent the presence of visitors.  Discover that travel patterns change with
changing social class.  Become familiar with the concept of social tourism.
3. 3.  Sociology – science of society, social institutions & social relationships.  It is also the
study of develepment, structure and behavior of organized groups of human being  Visitors
to a community or area create social relationships.  In this report, we identify & evaluate
tourist-host relationships& prescribe methods of managing these to create a significant
advantages for both groups.
4. 4.  Travelers must manage their money & time not to mention their social interactions &
relations to obtain sustenance, shelter & other needs to find companionship  Determining
the extent of the “cultural distance” they may wish to maintain.  Regardless of the degree of
local participation, the traveler must study the country to be visited  Travel experiences
have a profound effect on the traveler as well as on society
5. 5.  As a family is growing and the children are maturing, the trips taken as family are
highlights of any year.  Family travel can be educational  The more purposeful &
educational the trip becomes, the more beneficial it is.  Excitement of preparation &
anticipation and the actual travel experience are memorable occasions of family life.
6. 6.  Travel has a significant influence on national understanding & appreciation of other
people.  Government policies encourage travel, particularly domestic travel  The presence
of visitors in a country affects the living patterns of indigenous people  The way visitors
conduct themselves with citizens of the host country.
7. 7.  Resentment by local people toward the tourist can be generated by the apparent gap in
economic circumstances, behavioral patterns, appearance & economic effects. 
Resentment is NOT uncommon in areas where there is conflict of interests because of
tourists.  The demands for goods by tourists may tend to increase price & cause bad
feelings.
8. 8.  Rising standard of living  Increasing levels of educational attainment  Better
communication  Increased social consciousness of people  Psychological shrinking of the
world by the jet plane
9. 9. 1. Introduction of undesirable activities 2. Local people wanting the same luxury 3. Racial
tension 4. Development of servile attitude 5. “Trinketization” of crafts and arts 6.
Standardization of employee roles 7. Loss of cultural pride 8. Too-rapid change in local ways
9. Disproportionate numbers of workers
10. 10.  With age (late sixties upward) may become more passive  Persons living in urban
centers are more travel inclined than are those in rural areas  Couples in this life stage are
more likely to have more discretionary income and are financially able to afford more travel.
11. 11.  Senior Citizen Market - A major trend is the growth of the over – 65 senior citizen
market.  Dubbed as mature market, senior market, retirement market or elderly market.  It
is an important & growing marke  It is expected to grow rapidly to 70.3 million in 2030 as
the baby boomers reach this age
12. 12.  Travel Clubs – groups of people, sometimes with a common interest who have formed
travel org.  Low Priced Travel Group – a tour is arranged often at a reasonable cost 
Public Carrier – airlines make special rates available for groups  Public Carrier – airlines
make special rates available for groups  Incentive Tours – fastest-growing group
arrangement; tours provided by a company  Special-Interest Tours – tours are arranged for
those interested in agriculture, architecture etc.
13. 13.  “Social tourism is a type of tourism practiced by those who would not be able to meet
the cost without social intervention.” – Andre Poplimont  “It is a type of tourism practiced by
low income groups.” – W. Hunziker  Certain elements may be described. First: idea of
 „limited means‟. Second: social tourism is subsidized by the states. Third: it involves travel
outside the normal place of residence
14. 14. 1. The vacation and special business trips a person takes are often among life‟s most
vivid memories. 2. For families, vacation trips taken together are among the highlights of the
year‟s activities. 3. The presence of visitors in a particular are can affect the living patterns of
local people. 4. On a national basis, people of a particular country can have their lives
changed by tourism 5. For both hosts & guests, the most satisfying relationships are formed
when they can meet and interact socially.
15. 15. 6. Tourism‟s effects on crime are negligible. 7. Resentment of visitors by local people
can occur. 8. Extensive development can bring about undesirable social effects 9. Domestic
& International Tourism increases for people in a country that has a rising standard of living.
10. Wealthy people are greatly inclined to travel. 11. People living in the cities are more
interested in travelling.
16. 16. 12. Increase in the educational level in a population. 13. Catering to handicapped
persons. 14. Group travel & tours are popular ways to travel. 15. Social tourism is a form of
travel wherein the cost is subsidized by the traveler‟s trade union, government, public carrier,
hotel or association. 16. Travelers thus assisted are low-income groups or older-age groups
authorized to receive such vacation bonuses.
17. 17.  Cost – travel competes with other allocation of funds  Lack of Time – many people
can‟t leave their businesses or jobs  Health Limitations - poor health keeps a person at
home  Family Stage – parents sometimes don‟t travel because of family obligations  Lack
of Interest – unawareness of travel destinations  Fear & Safety – things unknown are often
feared
18. 18.  Sociologists are interested in tourism because of travel profoundly affects the
individuals & family to travel including behavioral changes.  A person who travels to a
strange environment encounters problem that must be resolved.  In this report, we have
described social phenomena related to mass tourism that includes the sociology of tourism.
 Understanding these can help to provide a basis for determining tourist volume policy.