Cultural ImpactsTourism in the AAP Region

Cultural Impacts Ethnic Tourism – focuses on the customs

of indigenous and exotic peoples

Cultural Tourism – emphasises different lifestyles

Historical Tourism – looks at stories of the past

Cultural Impacts Encounter between the tourists and the

hosts

Both tourist and host are affected

Often impact is one-sided, hosts affected more than the visitors

Changes in Cultural Tourism

Trade, wars, migration

Technology – advances in transportation and communication

Changes in attitude towards travel

Preservation of local customs and heritage

Strengthening communities

Events and festivals refreshed and developed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvpt4HJBAck

Increased local awareness of architectural and heritage sites Raise local awareness of financial value

of natural and cultural sites

Encourages local pride and interest in conservation

Cambodia Destruction of human and natural

resources

Tourism revitalised at end of 1980’s

Angkor Wat

UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1992

Art and Craft industries develop to reinforce local cultures

Tourist interest can contribute to self worth of artists

Help conserve cultural traditions

Cultural Ties and Mutual Understanding Strengthened

Education for both tourists and hosts

Meeting real people, developing relationships

Respect, cultural understanding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubTSx-4VmAs

Development of Facilities

Community facilities and services

Upgraded infrastructure

Improved transportation

Sport and recreational facilities

Restaurants, public spaces

Malaysia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds5Y811RIks

Disruption of Lifestyle of local people

Cultural deterioration – vandalism, damage, litter

Resource usage – water, energy scarcity

Loss of Cultural Identity

Devalues tourist experience

Damages local cultural systems

Westernisation of Culture

Multinational companies

Global patterns of music, fashion, cinema

Commercialisation of Culture Culture turned into a commodity

Religious traditions, local customs and festivals reduced to conform to tourist expectations

“Reconstructed ethnicity”

Production of cheap souvenirs for tourist market

Standardization

Satisfying tourists expectations

New and unfamiliar but not too new and unfamiliar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2GZrkqksms&feature=related

Culture Clash

Economic inequality

Irritation due to tourist behaviour

Job level friction