2. 11
Sociology of Tourism

3. Learning Objectives
Appreciate inordinate social impact travel experiences make on the individual, family, or group, and society as a whole—especially the host society.
Recognize that a country’s indigenous population may resent the presence of visitors, especially in large numbers.
Discover that travel patterns change with changing life characteristics and social class.
Become familiar with the concept of social tourism and its importance in various countries.
Perceive there are four extremes relating to the travel preferences of international tourists.

4. Negative Social Effects of Tourism on a Host Society
Introduction of undesirable activities such as gambling
Demonstration effect: local people want same luxuries, imported goods as tourists
Racial tension
Development of servile attitude of tourist business employees
Trinketization of arts and crafts
Standardization of employees roles
Loss of cultural pride
Too rapid change in local ways
Disproportionate numbers of worker in low-paid, menial jobs
Effects can be moderated or eliminated by intelligent planning and progressive management methods

5. How Individual Characteristics Influence Travel Behavior
The impacts of AGE
The impacts of INCOME
The impacts of EDUCATION
The impacts of SEXUAL ORIENTATION
The impacts of DISABILITIES

6. The Emergence of Group Travel Patterns
Travel clubs
Low-priced group travel
Public carrier group rates and arrangements
Incentive travel groups
Special-interest groups
Social (subsidized) travel groups

7. Summary of Principal Social Effects of Tourism
Vacations, special business trips among life’s most vivid memories
Family vacations taken together among highlights of the year’s activities
Visitors in an area can affect the living patterns of locals
People of a particular country can have their lives changed
Most satisfying relationships when hosts and guests meet and interact socially (i.e., reception, tea, cultural event)
Tourists can be easy victims of crime; hosts can help them avoid dangerous places
Resentment of visitors by locals can occur
Tourism development can bring undesirable social effects (prostitution, gambling, drunkenness, unwanted noise, congestion)

8. Summary of Principal Social Effects of Tourism
People living in cities are more interested in travel than those living in small towns or rural areas
Wealthy people and those in higher social classes are greatly inclined to travel
Increase in educational level in a population brings increase in travel
Catering to people with disabilities increases travel markets
Group travel and tours are popular ways to travel
Social tourism is a form of travel where the cost is subsidized by the traveler’s trade union, government, public carrier, hotel, or association

9. Some Striking Anomalies of Travel Behaviors
Desire for relaxation versus activity
Desire for familiarity versus novelty
Desire for dependence versus autonomy
Desire for order versus disorder

10. Barriers to Travel Cost Lack of time Health limitations Family stage
Lack of interest
Fear and safety