| An Introduction To Tourism |
|
SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACTS
Authenticity as part of the production and consumption of tourism
Authenticity focuses on the genuineness of objects, artifacts and structures (Rickly-Boyd, 2012) and is determined by the originality of the site or object, its structures and social context (Barthel, 1996, as cited in Rickly-Boyd, 2012). It is seen as a key motivator for tourists with an interest in foreign culture and destinations (Hall, 2007) and is good for the reproduction and continuation of culture. It is key to an experience being memorable (Hall, 2007), as an inauthentic object yields an inauthentic experience (Wang, 1999, p. 214, as cited in Rickly-Boyd, 2012).
There are several levels of authenticity (Hall, 2007), which describe whether the object or experience is authentic and whether the tourist believes it to be.
Table 6 shows the various levels of authenticity. These will be displayed by the level and a description of each. This was derived from reviewing credible literature.
Table 6: Levels of Authenticity
There are several levels of authenticity (Hall, 2007), which describe whether the object or experience is authentic and whether the tourist believes it to be.
Table 6 shows the various levels of authenticity. These will be displayed by the level and a description of each. This was derived from reviewing credible literature.
Table 6: Levels of Authenticity
Source: Hall (2007).
Key points:
- there are four levels of authenticity
- each level involves a different state of authenticity and a different perception by the tourist
Which category a product falls into is dependent on the perceiver and the producer. Whether a tourist perceives a product as authentic is dependent on their motivations or views and whether the producer intends on it being perceived as authentic.
Key points:
- there are four levels of authenticity
- each level involves a different state of authenticity and a different perception by the tourist
Which category a product falls into is dependent on the perceiver and the producer. Whether a tourist perceives a product as authentic is dependent on their motivations or views and whether the producer intends on it being perceived as authentic.
Types of sociocultural impacts
Sociocultural impacts refer to the ways in which tourism changes community and individual values, behaviour, community structure, lifestyle and overall quality of life; in relation to both the destination and the visitor (Hall, 2007; Murphy, 1985, as cited in Brunt & Courtney, 1999).
Table 7 shows the positive and negative sociocultural impacts of tourism. These will be displayed by positive and negative impacts. This was derived from reviewing credible literature.
Table 7: Positive and negative tourism sociocultural impacts.
Table 7 shows the positive and negative sociocultural impacts of tourism. These will be displayed by positive and negative impacts. This was derived from reviewing credible literature.
Table 7: Positive and negative tourism sociocultural impacts.
Sources: Brunt & Courtney (1999).
Key points:
- sociocultural impacts occurs in three main categories; tourism development, tourism-host interaction and key cultural impacts
- impacts can be due to the physical development of tourism
- impacts can be due to relationship growth or conflict
- impacts can be due to the continuation or loss of culture
Key points:
- sociocultural impacts occurs in three main categories; tourism development, tourism-host interaction and key cultural impacts
- impacts can be due to the physical development of tourism
- impacts can be due to relationship growth or conflict
- impacts can be due to the continuation or loss of culture
Community participation for locally appropriate tourism
In order for a symbiotic relationship to exist, community input into tourism planning and goal setting is essential (Simmons, 1994), as residents of destination areas are being seen increasingly as the nucleus of the tourism product. While all levels of planning (international, national, regional and community) are important for tourism, planning at the community level is vital if the region aims to deliver tourism experiences that ensure both visitor satisfaction and ongoing benefits for the residents of destination areas.
In order to encourage community participation in tourism development planning, they require knowledge regarding the benefits tourism brings to the community, as the more benefits they perceive they can obtain from tourism, the more likely they are to contribute to improve tourism development in the community (Munhurrun & Naidoo, 2011). Only then can a symbiotic relationship be established.
In order to encourage community participation in tourism development planning, they require knowledge regarding the benefits tourism brings to the community, as the more benefits they perceive they can obtain from tourism, the more likely they are to contribute to improve tourism development in the community (Munhurrun & Naidoo, 2011). Only then can a symbiotic relationship be established.
