Lesson 2 – The Sociology of Tourism

2.1. The Social Nature of Travel

Travel is brought about by the social nature of man. Human beings, as social animals, feel
comfortable in a tour group. They feel that their trip is more enjoyable and free from anxiety if
they join a group tour. Camaraderie often develops friendships that last for years. Tourism
evolves a mutual trust and respect for one another and the dignity of life on earth.

2.2. The Social Effects of Tourism

Tourism is concerned with the movement and contact between people in different geographical
locations. In sociological terms, this involves:
 Social relations between people who would not normally meet;
 The confrontation of different cultures, ethnic groups, lifestyles, languages, levels of
prosperity, and the like;
 The behavior of people released from many of the social and economic constraints of
everyday life; and
 The behavior of the host population which has to reconcile economic gain and benefits
with the costs of living with strangers.

2.3. Socioeconomic Variables and Their Effect on Travel

1. Age
Younger people tend to select more active recreational activities than older people. The
elderly prefer more passive forms of recreation, such as visiting friends and relatives,
fishing, sightseeing, and playing golf.

2. Income and Social Status

Rich persons, as well as persons with higher social status, travel more than those with
lower income and social class status, travel more than those with lower income and social
class status. Higher income tourists stay longer and spend more per day than those with
lower incomes.

3. Education
Generally speaking, the better educated members of the population have a greater desire
to travel. Researchers have found that the more educated the travelers are, they tend to be
more sophisticated in their tastes. They prefer activities that require the development of
interpretative and expressive skill, such as attending plays, concerts, art museums, reading
books, playing golf, and skiing.

4. Life Stages of the Family

More leisure time is spent at home. As the children grow and leave home, the married
couples renew interest in travel. Couples in this life stage usually have more discretionary
income and are more financially capable to travel.

2.4. The Rise of New Travel Pattern

1. Travel Club
A club member enjoys travel opportunities and vacation destination facilities at a much
cheaper price than that paid by a nonmember. The accommodations offered by the club
range from deluxe to very modest. There is also a wide choice of locations, climate, and
other vacation features.

2. Airline Group and Arrangements

Another development in group travel is the introduction of different types of tour fares
promoted by airlines. These are the following:
 Groups of 15 or more are given reduced fares
  Charter service is given by some airlines to affinity group tours which are intended
for those affiliated to a legitimate group for a period of six months or longer;
 Public charter in which an entire airplane is made available to a group of persons
who travel to the same destination; and
 Incentive tours which are given by firms to employees as a reward for a special
achievement or as motivation for achievement.

3. Special Interest Tours

These are tours arranged for those who are interested in a particular activity such as bird
watching, festivals, and etc.

2.5. Preferences of International Tourist

1. Relaxation vs Activity – they demand holidays that offered relaxation and rest than constant
activity
2. Familiarity vs Novelty – traveling near one’s home environment versus a totally strange
environment
3. Dependence vs Autonomy – in the past, tourists joined package tours in which
transportation, lodging, food, sightseeing, and entertainment were fixed in advance by the
tour agency. At present, there is the emergence of a group of tourists who would like to
acquire a sense of personal autonomy regarding their leisure time. They would like to travel
on their own and not part of a group. They would like to feel independent – in complete
control of what they do and how they do it.
4. Order vs Disorder – the new generation of tourists is not very much concerned about what
to wear and how to behave on holiday. Informality in behavior, greater tolerance toward
the differences of others, and others, and freedom from institutionalized regulations are
now the characteristics of the modern traveler

2.6. Types of Tourist Roles

1. Institutionalized tourist roles – dealt within routine way by the tourist establishment, such
as travel agencies and hotel chains which cater to the tourist trade.
a. The organized mass tourist – least adventurous; trips are fixed in advance and his stops
are well-prepared and guided; seldom makes decisions for himself; prefers familiar
environment.
b. The individual mass tourist – similar to organized mass tourist but has a certain degree
of control over his time and itinerary and is not bound to a group.

2. Non-institutionalized tourist – loosely attached to the tourist establishment

a. The explorer – arranges trips by himself and looks for comfortable accommodations and
reliable means of transportation. He tries to associate with the people he visits and to
speak their language; dares to leave his country but comes back when the adventure
gets rough.
b. The drifter – goes the farthest away from the accustomed ways of life of his own
country. He is almost totally immersed in his host culture. He tries to live the way the
people he visits live and to share their shelter, food, and habits.