Nowadays, tourism is considered as a boon for a country’s economy. It plays a pivotal role in a country’s economy since it is considered the largest employer and generator of foreign exchange for many countries. It is often argued that cultural traditions are destroyed when they are used as money-making tourist attractions, whilst others disagree and think that it is the only method to save such traditions in the world today. This essay will discuss both points of view and why I agree that tourism is the way to save the cultural traditions we have today.
It is clear that interactions with the tourism industry will have direct and indirect effects on host communities. Demand for heritage tourism has incentivize the expansion of heritage tourism activities. It is therefore agreed that these cultural and heritage sites might suffer from a loss of local identity due to influences brought in by tourists. This is because commercialization of local culture for tourism can turn local culture into commodities. For example, cultural erosion may occur when religious traditions, local customs and festivals are reduced and reconstructed to conform to meet tourist expectations.
However, many disagree and feel that tourism brings benefits to host communities and is a means of saving the cultural traditions we have. This is due to the fact that tourism can utilize and harness the demand for heritage tourism for cultural conservation. Through tourism-related activities, funds are generated to care for and maintain these cultural sites and practices. For example, monuments being made into an attraction not only stimulates pride in one’s history and stimulates respect and understanding of other cultures, but also generate funds for site maintenance.
In conclusion, in my opinion, tourism through cultural attractions is an important means for countries to care for and maintain their heritage and cultural practices. While there may be disadvantages to monetizing these cultural traditions, as long as we are mindful and keep in mind the importance of achieving a sustainable heritage tourism, the benefits of cultural attractions are clearly positive.
Nowadays,
tourism
is considered
as a boon for a
country’s
economy. It plays a pivotal role in a
country’s
economy since it
is considered
the largest employer and generator of foreign exchange for
many
countries
. It is
often
argued that
cultural
traditions
are
destroyed
when they are
used
as money-making tourist
attractions
, whilst others disagree and
think
that it is the
only
method to save such
traditions
in the world
today
. This essay will discuss both points of view and why I
agree
that
tourism
is the way to save the
cultural
traditions
we have
today
.
It is
clear
that interactions with the
tourism
industry will have direct and indirect effects on host communities. Demand for
heritage
tourism
has
incentivize
the expansion of
heritage
tourism
activities. It is
therefore
agreed
that these
cultural
and
heritage
sites might suffer from a loss of
local
identity due to influences brought in by tourists. This is
because
commercialization of
local
culture for
tourism
can turn
local
culture into commodities.
For example
,
cultural
erosion may occur when religious
traditions
,
local
customs and festivals are
reduced
and reconstructed to conform to
meet
tourist expectations.
However
,
many
disagree and feel that
tourism
brings benefits to host communities and is a means of saving the
cultural
traditions
we have.
This is due to the fact that
tourism
can utilize and harness the demand for
heritage
tourism
for
cultural
conservation. Through tourism-related activities, funds
are generated
to care for and maintain these
cultural
sites and practices.
For example
, monuments
being made
into an
attraction
not
only
stimulates pride in one’s history and stimulates respect and understanding of other cultures,
but
also
generate funds for site maintenance.
In conclusion
, in my opinion,
tourism
through
cultural
attractions
is an
important
means for
countries
to care for and maintain their
heritage
and
cultural
practices. While there may be disadvantages to monetizing these
cultural
traditions
, as long as we are mindful and
keep
in mind the importance of achieving a sustainable
heritage
tourism
, the benefits of
cultural
attractions
are
clearly
positive
.