Question

discuss some of the social cultural impacts of tourism on the host community?

Answer 1

The impact that tourism has on the cultural lives of communities is one of the most important issues debated by tourism

researchers and academics today. There is an increasingly growing concern that tourism development is leading to

destinations losing their cultural identity by catering for the perceived needs of tourists. Although they take longer to appear,

the cultural consequences of tourist activity have the potential to be much more damaging in the long term than environmental

or social effects. In many countries, tourists are not sensitive to local customs, traditions and standards. The dances, in which

participation was traditionally limited to men, now includes pretty girls in short-skirted imitations of traditional costumes,

wearing cutely stylised versions.Tourism can turn local culture into commodities when religious traditions, local customs and

festivals are reduced to conform to tourist expectations, resulting in what has been called ‘reconstructed ethnicity’. This is also

apparent in the growing tourism industry in South America. For example, the culture in Paraguay has been adapted to what

the tourists want to see that is cultural events designed primarily to satisfy the tourists' requirements, and also what will

generate more profit; the dancers charge tourists extra if tourists want to pose with one of the costumed dancers.

Culture clashes can also occur because tourism involves the movement of people to different geographical locations and the

establishment of social relations between people who would otherwise not meet. Cultural clashes can take place as a result of

differences in cultures, ethnic and religious groups, values, lifestyles, languages and levels of prosperity. For example, tourists

visiting Nepal are attracted not only by the forests, ancient villages and cities, but also by the variety of people and cultures of

the country. Cultural interactions between the hosts and guests are vital to the sustainability and progression of tourism in a

country.