Impact Of Tourism On Society And Culture

Positive Impacts

• It is inevitable that tourism will have a major effect on the culture and society of an area.

• By promoting tourism you are encouraging contact between different cultures.

• Indeed many people deliberately choose to experience a culture very different to their own.

Positive Impacts

• For many, the experience of different cultures is seen as an enriching and educating one.

• The benefits can be felt by the hosts and the visitors.

• The breaking down of prejudices as people experience other cultures and societies.

• This is directly linked to the fact that most prejudice is a consequence of ignorance.

Positive Impacts

• The strengthening of a culture as that culture becomes supported by tourism.

• Reduction in the dilution of culture as locals don't have to migrate to find work.

• The emancipation of women in the receiving culture as they witness the lives of women from western society.

Negative Impacts

• Cultural erosion as traditional ceremonies are performed for tourists their cultural or religious importance is diminished.

• Traditional industry that is very important to the culture can be forced to close as they are seen as detrimental to the tourist industry.

• Traditional cultures are abandoned as young people look to foreign cultures for their role models.

• Cultures are destroyed as drugs, child prostitution, HIV are introduced as a side effect of tourism.

• Locals can resent the tourists as they fail to pay local culture the necessary respect.

Activity

Using Advanced Geography P423-425, answer the following…

1.Explain the term “culture”.2.Suggest ways in which tourism can affect the culture of a society.3.In what ways can culture have a positive effect on tourism?4.In what ways could societies be affected positively and negatively?