CHAPTER 7 or 9
THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACT OF TOURISM
OUTCOMES

Nature of socio-cultural tourism

Approaches to the study of socio-cultural impacts
of tourism

The tourism development process

The psychological basis of tourism development

Sociological basis of tourism development

Some general negative socio-cultural impacts of
tourism
overview

Socio-cultural changes are influenced by the
speed and nature of development

Impacts can be positive-tourism preserves or
resurrects craft skills

Impacts can be negative-commercialisation of
arts and crafts

Socio-cultural impacts on the destination country
changes in eating habits/clothes that are
worn/attitudes

Sociological and cultural impacts overlap and are
direct and indirect
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
 Tourism
is a product based upon
simultaneous production and consumption
 The
implications of this for the destination:
stimulation & change of local economy
and contact with an alien population
 Local
population’s needs changes as they
become healthier & wealthier influencing
their spending choices & lifestyles
 Tourism may also bring about change in
value systems and behavior and threaten
indigenous identity
Cont.…
 Changes
often occur in the community
structure, family relationships, collective
traditional life styles, ceremonies and
morality.
 The
difference in cultures & the nature of
the contact determines the level of
change
 For
a variety of reasons, host communities
often are the weaker party in interactions
with their guests and service providers,
leveraging any influence they might have.
TERMS
 Social
impacts of tourism refers to
changes in the lives of people living in
destination communities.
 Cultural
impacts of tourism refers to
changes in the arts, artifacts, customs,
rituals, and architecture of a people.
 The
term socio-cultural impacts refers to
changes to resident’s everyday
experiences, as well as to their values,
way of life, and intellectual and artistic
products.
TASK
 Looking
at your own culture (background),
describe the following factors:
beliefs/values, dress code, behavioral
patterns (what is acceptable & what is
frowned upon) and religion.
 Based
on the above does your culture
(background) in any way influence your
decisions when buying tourism products
 If
so, what type of tourism activities appeal
to you
 If
not, what influences your decision when
purchasing tourism products
 Your
background, attitude and what you
value comes across in your interaction with
people.
 It
also determines how you treat them.
 This
behavior can determine the level of
impact that occurs in the host community.
 Your
behavior can come across as
undermining the local culture and way of
life = erosion of local culture
 Or
it can be respectful towards local
customs = cultural pride and appreciation
by host community
APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS (pg. 199)
 Tourism
impact studies (e.g.
Psychographic positions of destinations Plog, 1977 –202 )
 Host-guest
interaction (e.g. Doxey’s
Irridex Index,1975 – pg206)
 Tourist
systems (Keyser, 2002)
 Tourists
and their behavior (e.g. tourist
typologies - Smith, 1989 – pg 200)
APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF
SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF
TOURISM pg.. 199

4 different viewpoints overlap-

Tourism development linked to how much it can improve
economic development

Tourism activity affects socio-cultural changes

Development of tourism product determined by tourism
activity that takes place

This is influenced by socio-economic characteristics of tourists
TYPOLOGY OF TOURISTS
TOURIST TYPOLOGIES (pg 200)
TYPES OF TOURISTS
NUMBER OF
TOURISTS
ADAPTATION TO
LOCAL NORMS
EXPLORER
VERY LIMITED
ACCEPTS FULLY
ELITE
RARELY SEEN
ADAPTS FULLY
OFF-BEAT
UNCOMMON BUT
SEEN
ADAPTS WELL
UNUSUAL
OCCASSIONAL
ADAPTS SOMEWHAT
INCIPIENT MASS
STEADY FLOW
SEEKS WESTERN
AMENITIES
MASS/PACKAGE
CONTINUOS FLOW
CHARTER
MASSIVE ARRIVALS
EXPECTS WESTERN
AMENITIES
DEMANDS WESTERN
EVOLUTION OF TOURIST TYPOLOGIES
 The
typology of tourists is continuously
changing:
 Illustrates
that tourists are evolving & the
tourism industry is having to adapt to these
changes
 Also
illustrates changing attitudes that will
affect host communities (determining type
of impacts to occur)
NEW TOURIST
 Seeking
meaningful  More affluent
experiences
 Better educated
 Want interaction with
 Healthier
locals
 Older
 Spontaneous (less
 More travelled
predictable)
 More exposed to
 Concerned with
media
humanitarian issues
 More culturally diverse
 Healthy holidays
 More computer
 Seek selfliterate
development
THE TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

An area is discovered

Local entrepreneurs accommodate needs of
growing numbers of tourists

Public sector starts providing new and improved
infrastructure

Mass tourism is developed-resort based packages
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS
OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Plog’s theory

5 tourist segments-

Allocentrics

Near allocentrics

Midcentrics

Near psychocentrics

psychocentrics
PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT
 Allocentrics
– are adventurous, seek
cultural & environmental differences from
their norm
 Near
allocentric - among the first major
wave of adopters, after a destination has
been found by the allocentrics
 Midcentrics
- lean in neither the tried-andtrue direction of the psychocentrics nor the
variety-seeking direction of the allocentrics
CONT….
 Near
psychocentric - try a
destination after it has been well
travelled
 Psychocentric – are
unadventurous, seek familiar
surroundings
PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

A resort destinations follow a pattern

Two groups occupy either pole

The allocentrics and the psychocentrics

Resort attracts small number of allocentrics

Development moves through near allocentrics and then into
midcentrics

Allocentrics move on looking for new undiscovered
destinations

Resort continues to thrive

Drifts towards psychocentric market

Process is not unchallengeable

Decision makers can target desired market segments
PLOG: PROCESS OF RISE & FALL (pg202)
•
A resort starts by attracting a small number of allocentrics
(trendsetters) but soon develops, attracting larger numbers
•
This moves the resort into and through the near-allocentrics
and then into the mid-centric
•
During this process allocentrics are alienated and move on to
new discoveries (destinations)
•
With a strong competitive advantage resorts can thrive in
midcentric stage (e.g. climate, location)
THE SOCIOLOGICAL BASIS OF
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The socio-economic basis underlying tourism
development
The social phenomenon of tourism

Population growth

Push and pull factors-

Increasing urbanisation

Age

Growth in technology

Education

Change in mobility and
accessibility

Income levels

Socio-economic
background

Increase in leisure time

Increase in business
tourism
DIRECT SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS

Tourists buying goods/services from hosts

Sharing facilities

Cultural exchange-attracts explorers and
adventurers is a positive exchange

Mass tourists usually have first 2 contacts, is a
negative exchange

Negative types more common than positive
DEMONSTRATION EFFECT

Tourists influence behaviour of the host population
by their example

Tourism is a product that is produced and
consumed at the same time

This physical presence stimulates changes in
behaviour and dress style of host populations
INDIRECT SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS

Host population who are influenced by tourism
influence others in their community

Can change attitudes/behaviour-(indirect S.C.
impact)

New employment opportunities( direct or
indirect?)

Consumption habits change due to increase in
economic benefits

E.g. Transport and infrastructure
INDUCED SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS

As economy grows-increase in income levels=

Alteration in spending patterns.

TV, cell phones, I pads.(induced effects)

Because they are a result of an increase in money
flow. Better salaries.
SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS
Depends on magnitude of the direct impact connected to

tourism development is also determined by the extent of the
difference between guests and hosts. Differences include:

Basic value and logic systems

Traditions

Customs

Lifestyles

Behavioural patterns

Religion

Dress codes

Time

Attitudes towards strangers
Positive impacts

Exchange of cultural information, ideas and
beliefs

Stimulate interest and conserve hosts cultural
heritage

Stimulates hosts pride in their heritage
NEGATIVE IMPACTS

Traditional arts and craft become commercialised

Economic potential is not always realised a result
of tourism development not managed properly

Foreign employment/investment leads to
resentment of tourism development

Exclusion of hosts from tourist facilities

New income opportunities are not evenly
distributed

Higher wages only for some

Difference in wealth between tourists and hosts
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

ECONOMIC-imbalance of economic power
between industrialised and less developed
destination

Wealthier tourists than population

Migration of labour

Tax burdens increased for local residents
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

LABOUR-employment opportunities are limited to
lower level and inexperienced staff

Foreign workers

Working conditions e.g. Casual contacts
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

BEHAVIOURAL AND DEMONSTRATION FACTORStourists behaviour

Dress codes not appropriate for host community is
eventually adopted by some residents causing
tension between them
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

RESOURCE USE FACTORS-high demand on land
use

Prices become inflated

Environmental and cultural damage leads to
social tension

Competition between locals and tourist
businesses for local resources
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

Sex tourism-e.g. Thailand

Tourists relax their morals when on holiday

Crime-large numbers of tourists carrying large
amounts of money attract robbery and violence

Drug trafficking

Casino can lead to unsavoury social behaviour
unless monitored and controlled
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

Health-Spread of AIDS

Malaria

Tourism growth that is rapid and unplanned can
lead to infrastructure failures leading to health
hazards
Slum tourism

Areas of extreme poverty

Favelas or some townships

If operated ethically can bring in much needed
income and employment opportunities

Can change attitudes and behaviour of visitors
and hosts
Dark tourism

Where shocking events have occurred
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

Commodification

Staged authenticity

Standardisation

Alien cultural experiences of tourists
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
Commodification

Tourism can turn local cultures into commodities when
religious rituals, traditional ethnic rites and festivals
are reduced and sanitized to conform to tourist
expectations, resulting in what has been called
"reconstructed ethnicity."

Once a destination is sold as a tourism product, and
the tourism demand for souvenirs, arts, entertainment
and other commodities begins to exert influence, basic
changes in human values may occur.

Sacred sites and objects may not be respected when
they are perceived as goods to trade.
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
Standardization

Destinations risk standardization in the process of
satisfying tourists' desires for familiar facilities.

While landscape, accommodation, food and drinks,
etc., must meet the tourists' desire for the new and
unfamiliar, they must at the same time not be too new
or strange because few tourists are actually looking for
completely new things.

Tourists often look for recognizable facilities in an
unfamiliar environment, like well-known fast-food
restaurants and hotel chains.
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
Loss of authenticity and staged authenticity

Adapting cultural expressions to the tastes of tourists or even performing
shows as if they were "real life" constitutes "staged authenticity".

As long as tourists just want a glimpse of the local atmosphere, a quick
glance at local life, without any knowledge or even interest, staging will be
inevitable.
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
Adaptation to tourist demands

Tourists want souvenirs, arts, crafts, and cultural manifestations, and in
many tourist destinations, craftsmen have responded to the growing
demand, and have made changes in design of their products to bring them
more in line with the new customers' tastes.

While the interest shown by tourists also contributes to the sense of selfworth of the artists, and helps conserve a cultural tradition, cultural erosion
may occur due to the commodification of cultural goods.
NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM
Culture clashes



Because tourism involves movement of people to different
geographical locations, and establishment of social relations
between people who would otherwise not meet, cultural clashes
can take place as a result of differences in cultures, ethnicity,
religion, values, lifestyles, languages, and levels of prosperity.
The result can be an overexploitation of the social carrying
capacity (limits of acceptable change in the social system
inside or around the destination) and cultural carrying
capacity (limits of acceptable change in the culture of the host
population) of the local community.
The attitude of local residents towards tourism development
may unfold through the stages of euphoria, where visitors are
very welcome, through apathy, irritation and potentially
antagonism, when anti-tourist attitudes begin growing among
local people.
SOME SPECIFIC NEGATIVE
SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS
OF TOURISM

Give 2 points under the following headings:

Sex

Crime

health
POSITIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL
IMPACTS OF TOURISM

Fosters local pride

Creates awareness and peace

Proved infrastructure that is shared

Provides socio-cultural support
HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSERVATION
Tourism as a force for peace
• Travelling brings people into contact with each other and, as
tourism has an educational element, it can foster understanding
between peoples and cultures and provide cultural exchange
between hosts and guests.
• Because of this, the chances increase for people to develop
mutual sympathy and understanding and to reduce their
prejudices.
• In the end, sympathy and understanding can lead to a decrease
of tension in the world and thus contribute to peace.
HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSERVATION
Strengthening communities
• Tourism can add to the vitality of communities in many ways.
• One example is that events and festivals of which local
residents have been the primary participants and spectators are
often rejuvenated and developed in response to tourist interest.
• The jobs created by tourism can act as a vital incentive to
reduce immigration from rural areas.
• Local people can also increase their influence on tourism
development, as well as improve their job and earnings
prospects, through tourism-related professional training and
development of business and organizational skills.
HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSERVATION
Facilities developed for tourism can benefit residents
• As tourism supports the creation of community facilities and
services that otherwise might not have been developed, it can
bring higher living standards to a destination.
• Benefits can include upgraded infrastructure, health and
transport improvements, new sport and recreational facilities,
restaurants, and public spaces as well as an influx of betterquality commodities and food.
Revaluation of culture and traditions
• Tourism can boost the preservation and transmission of cultural
and historical traditions, which often contributes to the
conservation and sustainable management of natural
resources, the protection of local heritage, and a renaissance of
indigenous cultures, cultural arts and crafts.
HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSERVATION
Tourism encourages civic involvement and pride
• Tourism also helps raise local awareness of the financial
value of natural and cultural sites and can stimulate a
feeling of pride in local and national heritage and interest
in its conservation.
• More broadly, the involvement of local communities in
tourism development and operation appears to be an
important condition for the conservation and sustainable
use of biodiversity.