STRUCTURE OF TRAVEL AND

TOURISM

LECTURE SIX

PREPARED BY MR. ZIMBA DAVID

WANSANJE TRAVEL AND TOURISM COLLEGE
SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM

Sociocultural impacts are the human impacts of the tourism industry, with an emphasis on changes in
the quality of life for residents at tourist destinations. They are related to transformations in traditional
values, norms, and identities as a result of tourism activities.

Legislation and guidance for destinations;

With accordance to the world travel & tourism, below are guidelines for sustainable tourism,

Ten principals of sustainable tourism

1 Using resources sustainably

2 Reducing over-consumption and waste

3 Maintaining diversity

4 Integrating tourism into planning

5 Supporting local economies

6 Involving local economies

7 Consulting stakeholders and the public

8 Training staff

9 Marketing tourism responsibly

10 Undertaking research
SOCIOCULTURAL EFFECTS OF TOURISM:

These impacts are more noticeable in less developed countries but not restricted to them. There are two
forms of impact that is positive sociocultural impacts and on the other hand we have negative
sociocultural impacts of tourism.

Positive sociocultural impacts of tourism; these are human impacts of the tourism industry that foster
positive changes in the quality of life for residents at tourist destinations. Below are some examples;

- Preserving the local culture and heritage;

- Strengthening communities;
- Provision of social services;
- Commercialization of culture and art;
- Revitalization of customs and art forms
- Preservation of heritage

Negative social impacts of tourism; these are human impacts of the tourism industry that foster
negative changes in the quality of life for residents at tourist destinations. Below are some examples;

- Social change;
- Changing values;
- Increased crime and gambling;
- Changes in moral behavior;
- Changes in family structure and roles;
- Problems with the tourist-host relationship;
- Destruction of heritage.

THE HOSTS IMPACTS ON TOURISTS

According to Gullahorn, tourists go through three stages when adapting to the local culture of their
holiday environment;

1. Tourists excitement because of the environment

2. Tourists become disillusioned as they become more accustomed to the environment
3. Tourist learn to adapt to the environment. After this third process, some find it hard to re adapt
to their home environment.

Staged authenticity;

Given the constraints of time and space, tourist demand instant culture- an opportunity to experience
the foreignness of the new environments. This gives raise to is referred to as staged authenticity in
which a search for an authentic experience of another cultural, a tourist experiences a staged display is
the culture a tourist is hoping to be part of. For example staged cultural dance events at hotels, airports
or national stages for tourist. This however reflects that culture is in danger of begin commercialized,
this leads into losing clients that seek authentic experiences.
MANAGING SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM:

Sustainable tourism in terms of social impacts of tourism on indigenous populations needs to be

managed into two ways;

1. Establish good relationships between the locals and the guests in order for the social
interactions to benefit both sides. This can be achieved by having responsible officials integrate
guests into local communities as well as control the overall number of visitors so that local
population doesn’t become over populated with tourists especially in areas with low capacity to
handle high demand.
2. Design government policies centered on attracting large numbers of tourists from all classes not
only wealthy- ready to spend visitors.
3. Local interests must be protected and supported.
4. Community living conditions must be given the same priority as the development of tourism.
5. Develop and promote experiences in the city or territory that benefit both tourists and
residents.
6. Increase the infrastructure and services of the attraction centres.
7. Involve the local community in tourist decisions and choices.
8. Educate travelers and on how to be more responsible and respectful at tourist destinations.

Topical questions;

1. How can you reduce negative sociocultural impacts of tourism?

2. Define sociocultural impact and farther discus the positive and negative sociocultural impacts of
tourism.
3. Identify ten guidelines for sustainable tourism and ten principals of sustainable tourism
respectively.
4. List five impacts host communities have on tourists.
5. Define and describe staged authenticity.