1. The sociocultural impact of tourism
Chapter 6
The sociocultural impact of tourism

2. Socio-cultural benefits of tourism
Understanding other societies
Developing and maintaining links with other regions and countries
Re-establishing or retaining cultural and heritage features of destination countries
Widening tourists’ cultural interests and appreciation of foreign food and drink

3. Socio-cultural disadvantages of tourism
In large numbers, tourism can create friction between hosts and guests
Tourism encourages growth in local crime and deviant behaviour (e.g. gambling and prostitution)
Sexual exploitation of locals by some tourists
Destruction of traditions, as locals adopt incomers’ fashions and behaviours
Relationships between hosts and guests become increasingly commercial and superficial as tourist numbers grow

4. The ten principles of sustainable tourism
Using resources sustainably
Reducing over-consumption and waste
Maintaining diversity
Integrating tourism into planning
Supporting local economies
Involving local economies
Consulting stakeholders and the public
Training staff
Marketing tourism responsibly
Undertaking research
Source: Eber, S, Tourism Concern

5. Protection of the environment Respect for local cultures
AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) Guidelines for sustainable tourism
Protection of the environment
Flora, fauna and landscapes
Respect for local cultures
Traditions, religions and the built heritage
Economic and social benefits for local communities
Conservation of natural resources, from the office to the destination
Minimizing pollution caused by noise, waste disposal and congestion

6. Adaptation of tourists to local norms
Types of tourists
Numbers of tourists
Adaptation to local norms
Explorer
Very limited
Adapts fully
Elite
Rarely seen
Off-beat
Uncommon, but seen
Adapts well
Unusual
Occasional
Adapts somewhat
Incipient mass
Steady flow
Seeks Western amenities
Mass
Continuous influx
Expects Western amenities
Charter
Massive arrivals
Demands Western amenities
Table 6.1 Levels of adaptation of tourists to local norms
Source: Valene Smith, Hosts and Guests, Blackwell, 1992

7. The nature of host-guest relations
Relations are transitory and superficial
They are undertaken under constraints of time and space, with visitors compacting sights into as limited amount of time as possible
There is a lack of spontaneity in relations; meetings tend to be prearranged to fit tour schedules, and involve mainly financial transactions
Relations are unequal and unbalanced, due to disparities in wealth and status of the participants
Source: UNESCO

8. The tour guide as culture-broker
Interprets local culture
Translates as necessary
Negotiates local transactions
Offers guidance on correct behaviour
Protects the interests of the group

9. Irridex model of stress relative to tourism development
Stages
Characteristics
Symptoms
Stage 1
Euphoria
Visitors welcomed, little formal development
Stage 2
Apathy
Visitors taken for granted, contacts become commercial
Stage 3
Irritation
Locals concerned about tourism, efforts made to improve infrastructure
Stage 4
Antagonism
Open hostility from locals, attempts to limit damage and tourism flows
Table 6.2 Irridex model of stress relative to tourism development
Source: G. V. Doxey, ‘A causation theory of visitor—resident irritants: methodology and research inferences’, Proceedings of the Travel Research Association Sixth Annual Conference, San Diego, 1975

10. Examples
Some examples of forced removal of indigenous populations to accommodate the needs of tourism:
The removal of Masai tribespeople from their Ngorongoro crater hunting lands in Tanzania, to allow tourists free movement to photograph wildlife
The eviction by Botswana of Gana and Gwi Bushmen from their land in the central Kalahari game reserve to open the area to tourism
The removal and forced labour of Burmese to enhance tourist projects in Myanmar

11. Managing the social impact of tourism
Involves a choice between
Integrating visitors into the local community as far as practicable, while controlling overall numbers of visitors
Concentrating visitors within specific areas of the region, thus limiting their impact on the local community

12. Local benefit from tourism
Locals are most able to benefit from tourism inflow if:
Developers and local authorities consult with them during the development process
Developers ensure locals are offered employment at all levels
Locals have access to adequate skills and management training
Finance is made available to encourage local investment in tourism businesses