The Political Costs and Benefits of Tourism

The costs and benefits of tourism policy

While the virtues of international tourism has been hailed as a significant force for peace and understanding between nations (World Tourism
Organization, 1980; 1982; Litvin, 1998; Leitner, 1999), the reality is often far from this utopian picture. The long distance travel between developed and developing countries is increasing every year and brings in direct contact with other people in very different backgrounds and with contrasting modes of life and income levels each. When these differences are very large, political and socio-cultural consequences can be severe.

In extreme cases, international tourism has imposed a form of development of "neo-colonial" types in emerging countries (Hall, 1994; Hall and Jenkins,
1995). In short, this neo-power compared to the local and regional levels, and concentrated in the hands of multinational corporations. These companies will negotiate only at the national level and wait "problems" to be solved by national governments, if the investment is withdrawn. On the operational level, better paying jobs more "respectable" in hotels and other establishments are sometimes occupied by expatriates who have the knowledge and experience needed.

Even the most menial jobs are paid less often reserved for the indigenous population, it is possible that this apparent discrimination can foster resentment can fester and international relations. In extreme cases, the development, you can even inhibit the growth of a national consciousness in a newly dependent country. Domestic tourism, on the other hand, can act as an integrating force to strengthen the national feeling. People in outlying areas are traditionally more concerned with the affairs of the local village and therefore sometimes be easy prey for the separatist agitators. If, on the trip to other parts of the country, they may begin to feel pride in their national heritage, a sense of national unity can help prevent regional fragmentation.

In most developed countries, visits to national monuments, mansions and ancient battle fields are an important incentive for domestic travel, and similar developments have already taken place in other parts of the world. In many developing countries, students and school groups traveling to other parts of their country, and this kind of movement of people can do a lot in the long term to strengthen the political unity of the country. Whenever the character and identity of the various individual regions are not submerged and lost, as travel can benefit both tourists and residents. Unfortunately, contact between people from different backgrounds is not always beneficial and may in some cases generate additional tensions cultural, social and moral. Despite the mix of people from different regions of a country can produce a better understanding of the lifestyle of everyone and a better appreciation of region-specific problems, you can simultaneously create misunderstanding and even mistrust.

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