Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal

Tourism Unit 1

Module 3

TOURISM IMPACTS- POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS

POSITIVE SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS

1. Tourism fosters local pride- Tourism can inspire pride in a destination’s

heritage.

2. Tourism provides shared infrastructure.

3. Tourism can provide direct socio-cultural support- it can help to restore

heritage sites or can help preserve natural and cultural sites.

4. Revitalization of culture

5. Improved standard of living

6. Historic preservation

NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS

1. Economic factors- The majority tourism activities takes place between the

industrialized economies of the world. However, where tourism takes place

between the industrialized and the less developed destinations or regions,

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
there can be an enormous imbalance of economic power between the tourists

and the hosts. The tax burden on the local residents may be increased in

order to meet the growing demands for better infrastructure. Where tourism

drives improved infrastructure without the cost being reflected in the tourism

product, there will be growing social tension as residents may struggle to

meet higher tax demands.

2. Labour factors- The economic factors demonstrated how tourism can attract

workers from other industries. The level of antagonism with respect to

tourism can be exacerbated where the employment opportunities for workers

within the tourism industry are limited to lower level, front-line workers. In

such cases, the senior and middle management positions are filled by

experienced staff from outside the country. Even where a significant

proportion of the managerial staff are locals, their contact with other non-

local staff and the tourists may cause a change in their consumption habits

so that they have a high propensity to consume imported goods. Although

tourism is associated with higher wages and salaries than the more

traditional industries such as farming and fishing, there are many cases

where the working conditions are found to be less than desirable.

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
3. Cultural dilution- is when the cultures are blended and is a progress of our

lives becoming similar through the influence of Trans National Corporation.

Also it is a progress of becoming the cultures westernized.

4. Cultural commodification- Is a long standing criticism relating to tourism’s

effect on culture and art. Crafts, ceremonies and rituals are often driven into

an exploitation stance, abbreviated, made more colorful, more dramatic and

spectacular in order to capture the attention and imagination of an audience

that often does not possess underlying knowledge/experience that would

make the unadapted version appealing.

5. Loss of artifacts- loss of a product made by typically one of culture or

history.

6. Invasion of privacy

7. Cultural Imperialism- http://sociology.iresearchnet.com/sociology-of-culture/cultural-

imperialism/ Cultural imperialism is the process and practice of promoting

one culture over another. Often this occurs during colonization, where one

nation overpowers another country, typically one that is economically

disadvantaged and/or militarily weaker. The dominant country then forces

its cultural beliefs and practices onto the conquered nation. This has

happened since nations have been warring, beginning with the Greek and

Roman empires to the French and British empires, the American Revolution
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
and the rise of communist governments in China and the Soviet Union to

present day changes in governments around the world.

Culture can be imposed in a variety of ways, such as through creating new laws

and policies concerning what specific types of education, religion, art, and

language are to be used. For example, when Native North American tribes were

forced onto reservations, the United States government dictated that children attend

Christian based boarding schools, they were taught to read and write English, and

the use of their native language was discouraged and/ or forbidden.

As a result of this, people find alternative ways of maintaining their culture;

sometimes groups are forced into exile and their cultural practices are outlawed.

Language or music is adapted as a means to continue the culture. For example,

stories can be hidden within song lyrics and rhythms from their traditional music

are merged with the new dominant forms as a means of maintaining parts of their

culture. As with the Native North Americans, other populations have also been

forced to change their style of dress, religion, language, and customs. This is
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
common through the suppression of religion and has happened in various countries

including China, Cuba, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Afghanistan.

Cultural imperialism differs from cultural diffusion primarily due to the

mechanisms used to change culture and the roles that power plays in the process.

Cultural diffusion occurs ‘‘naturally’’ when people and groups from other

cultures interact with each other. It does not result in the purposeful

reduction or elimination of various cultural aspects.

Cultural imperialism also occurs through programs designed to assist other nations,

particularly developing nations. This can range from the ways in which small

groups from western nations help out communities and villages to the impact of

large international organizations’ efforts at creating positive change. It is not

uncommon for organizations such as the United Nations or World Bank to place

conditions on loans or grants they provide to nations. Often monies are designated

for specific projects such as building roads where these groups believe it is most

beneficial for the nation, as well as constructing schools or health clinics.

Complications arise through this process, such as when curricula are being

developed for the schools. By teaching students English, in the belief they are

being better prepared for opportunities outside of their native country, this practice,
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
along with the ways in which students are being instructed, reinforces western

ideals and behaviors, often to the detriment of their existing culture.

Globalization has created a new vehicle by which cultural imperialism can occur,

often with minimal resistance or acknowledgment that it is happening. Supporters

of the expansion of ‘‘free markets’’ argue that cultures are fluid and therefore

cultural imperialism is a ‘‘natural’’ part of the growth of trade. If western practices

and ideas are the most successful, then it is believed that cultural practices

associated with them are better than other cultures. Some of the main challenges to

this thinking include investigating what exactly is being transferred or imposed

onto other nations, what group benefits from the cultural shifts, and what cultural

aspects become lost. Research focuses on examining changes in images and

content of art, music, fashion and clothing, sports and recreational activities as well

as changes in consumerism, due to the influences of globalization.

Critiques of the effects of globalization often concentrate on ‘‘what’’ is being

imposed on other nations. For example, many argue the spread of McDonald’s,

Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Wal Mart represents positive change as they bring

jobs and relatively inexpensive goods to other nations. However, the rapid

expansion of these types of restaurants or stores also reflects a specific kind of

American culture that is shaped and dictated by corporations. Many ask whether
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
these kinds of businesses reflect US culture or whether they are simply an

expansion of US capitalism.

Those who are actively challenging and resisting the spread of western practices

and the effects of globalization often reside in places where they are experiencing

this ‘‘new’’ wave of cultural imperialism. Scholars are examining the impact of

cultural imperialism and larger issues connected to colonialism as a means to retain

culture that is in danger of disappearing as well as to develop deeper

understandings of the impact of outside forces on their nation and to expose the

effects of these practices. Many citizens are openly challenging the oppressive

nature of western expansion, creating coalitions and organizations aimed at

maintaining cultural traditions and practices. Some nations have created

protectionist policies in an effort to slow down the pace of western nations

purchasing their land and other natural resources.

reinforcement of social inequalities- Structural inequality is defined as a condition

where one category of people are attributed an unequal status in relation to other

categories of people. This relationship is perpetuated and reinforced by a

confluence of unequal relations in roles, functions, decisions, rights, and

opportunities.
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
8. Doxey’s Irridex Model- to measure the level of irritation generated by

tourists- host contact, Doxey (1975) drew up the following Index,

- The level of euphoria- the initial thrill and enthusiasm that comes along

with tourism development results in the fact that the tourist is made

welcome.

- The level of apathy- once tourism development is under way and the

consequential expansion has taken place, the tourist is taken for granted

and is now seen only as a source of profit taking.

- The level of irritation- as the industry approaches saturation point, the

hosts can no longer cope with the number of tourists without the

provision of additional facilities.

- The level of antagonism- the tourist is now seen as the harbinger of all

ills, hosts are openly antagonistic towards the tourists and tourists are

regarded as being there to be exploited.

- The final level- during the above process of ‘development’ the host

population has forgotten that all they once regarded as being special was

exactly the same thing that attracted the tourist, but in a rush to develop

tourism circumstances have changed. The social impact has been

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
comprehensive and complete and the tourists will move to different

destinations.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

POSITIVE IMPACTS

1. Generates foreign exchange and helps in the balance of payments

2. The generation of employment

3. The improvement of economic structures

4. The encouragement of entrepreneurial activity

5. The improvement of economic structures

6. The encouragement of entrepreneurial activity

NEGATIVE IMPACTS

1. The danger of over-dependence of tourism

2. Inflation and higher land values

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
3. Seasonality of tourism industry

4. Creation of other external costs

ENVIRNONMENT IMPACTS

POSITIVE IMPACTS

1. Creation or preservation of parks

2. Biological preservation

3. Improved waste management

4. Generated concern for the environment

NEGATIVE IMPACTS

1. Loss of habitat

2. Degradation of parks

3. Waste generation- water and air pollution

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

DEFINITIONS

Using the Brundtland definition as its starting point, the

World Tourism Organization defined sustainable tourism thus:

Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host

regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. It is

envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that

economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural

integrity, essential ecological processes and biological diversity, and life

support systems.

The Organization of East Caribbean States provides the following definition:

The optimal use of natural and cultural resources for national development on

an equitable and self-sustaining basis to provide a unique visitor experience and

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
an improved quality of life through partnership among government, the private

sector and communities.

SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURISM

PRINCIPLES

BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Nature of Community participation

Community participation can be loosely defined as the involvement of

people in a community in projects to solve their own problems. ... Community

participation is especially important in emergency sanitation programmes

where people may be unaccustomed to their surroundings and new sanitation

facilities.

Benefits of community participation

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
1. Increased ownership, support and responsibility

2. More likelihood of, and sustainability for, behavior change

3. More cost-effective planning

4. Better response to community needs

MEASURING AND MONITORING FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Codes of Conduct- see handout Page 1

Ecolabels- "Ecolabelling" is a voluntary method of environmental performance

certification and labelling that is practised around the world. An ecolabel identifies

products or services proven environmentally preferable overall, within a specific

product or service category. GEN members operate some of the world's strongest

ecolabels. There are different classifications of label, as listed below.

In contrast to "green" symbols, or claim statements developed by manufacturers

and service providers, the most credible labels are awarded by an impartial third

party for specific products or services that have been independently determined to

meet transparent environmental leadership criteria, based on life-cycle

considerations.

History
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
The roots of ecolabelling are found in the growing global concern for

environmental protection on the part of governments, businesses and the public. As

businesses have come to recognize that environmental concerns may be translated

into a market advantage for certain products and services, various environmental

declarations, claims and labels have emerged, such as natural, recyclable, eco-

friendly, low energy, recycled content, etc. These have attracted consumers

looking for ways to reduce environmental impacts through their purchasing

choices, but they have also led to some confusion and scepticism. Unproven or

irrelevant claims have been branded "greenwash".

Types

The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) has identified three broad

types of voluntary labels, with ecolabelling fitting under the strongest Type 1

designation.

TYPE I:

a voluntary, multiple-criteria based, third party programme that awards a license

that authorises the use of environmental labels on products indicating overall

environmental preferability of a product within a particular product category based

on life cycle considerations

TYPE II:
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
informative environmental self-declaration claims

TYPE III:

voluntary programmes that provide quantified environmental data of a product,

under pre-set categories of parameters set by a qualified third party and based on

life cycle assessment, and verified by that or another qualified third party.

Certification Schemes- Handout, page 2

Indicators- Handout, page 3

Carrying Capacity Studies- Handout page 9-11.

- Definition of carrying capacity- page 11

- Types of carrying capacity- page 11

POLICY, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

Need for pro-active tourism planning: handout page 4-6

Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal

MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES AND ACTIONS

BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION
Compiled by: Yogeeta Seemangal
1. Political will- Political will" refers to the fact that when passing any law
there may be some political cost as the law may upset some people and

please others. "Political will" refers to that collective amount

of political benefits and costs that would result from the passage of any

given law.

2. Absence of relevant legislation

3. Costs

4. Lack of enforcement- lack of compelling observance of or compliance

with a law, rule, or obligation.

5. Lack of interest or awareness of stakeholders.