TIM 321: Sociocultural Issues in Tourism Practice Finals

A set of practice flashcards covering sociocultural issues in tourism, focusing on developing countries, place individuality, cultural authenticity, indigenous tourism, and gentrification.

According to the United Nations (UN) WESP document, what are the three broad categories used to divide countries?

Developing economies, economies in transition, and developed economies

Name three countries classified as developing economies in the lecture notes.

Algeria, Brunei, and Malaysia

Which countries are listed as examples of economies in transition?

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

What are the examples provided for developed economies?

Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States

What is the definition of a hard currency?

A globally traded currency that can serve as a reliable and stable store of value

How is a soft currency defined?

A currency that is expected to depreciate against other currencies

What are common characteristics of the economies in developing countries?

Based on agriculture or resource extraction, histories of colonialism, soft currencies, low multipliers, and high levels of indebtedness

Why is tourism considered a labor-intensive vehicle for economic development?

It provides needed hard currency, can be developed quickly, and does not require extensive training of workers

Why is domestic tourism typically weak in developing countries?

Small or non-existent domestic middle classes make things wholly dependent on international tourism

What factors make international tourism in developing countries notoriously sensitive?

Economic downturns, oil shocks, terrorism, political instability, and natural disasters

What is the result of foreign-owned and managed tourism investment in host countries?

Profits leak from the host country’s economy

Describe the focus of resort development in developing countries as mentioned in the notes.

Organized as highly developed oases of development in deserts of under-development

How did Tuan ($1977$) define place?

Undefined space becomes place when we attach meaning and value to it

What are the three necessary and sufficient features of place according to Gieryn ($2000$)?

Location, materiality, and investment with meaning and value

How is the individuality of place defined?

The total character peculiar to and distinguishing a particular place from other places

What is the definition of sense of place?

Humans’ perception of the individuality of that place

What is the term for the emotional bond between a person and a place described by Florek ($2011$)?

Place attachment

In the context of tourism, which side is individuality of place associated with?

The supply-side phenomenon

In the context of mapping the individuality of place, which side is sense of place?

The demand-side phenomenon

What are three means by which individuality of place is created?

Architecture, historical events, and portrayals in art, music, or films

What are factors that impel the loss of individuality of place?

Incongruent development, loss of traditional architecture, and duplicate resort design

Which force acts toward homogenization according to the notes?

Globalization and the tendency to imitate

What forces act toward diversification and the preservation of individuality?

Environmentalism, nationalism, separatist movements, and indigenous rights movements

What are three tactics to prevent excessive visitation in a destination?

Reservation systems, increased prices, and limiting tourism-related construction

What does the Italian phrase Albergi Diffusi literally mean?

Scattered hotel

What is the primary characteristic of an Albergi Diffusi (AD)?

It is managed by a centrally located operator, but rooms are converted historic buildings scattered throughout a village

When and where did the Albergi Diffusi concept begin?

Italy in the early $1980$s

How is cultural authenticity defined in tourism?

The state of experiencing what a culture is really like through authentic details in artifacts, costumes, and activities

What is emergent authenticity?

The result of new cultural developments acquiring the appearance or aura of authenticity over time

What is staged authenticity?

Simulating an authentic cultural experience for visitors through imitations or re-enactments

What does the term cultural involution mean?

A returning to the former cultural practices of a society

According to Cohen ($1988$), what defines the range of purism in tourists?

From serious tourists seeking integrity to casual tourists seeking entertainment

What is the definition of a frontstage in a destination?

Recognized spaces mobilized for tourism purposes, such as contrived performance areas

What is the definition of a backstage?

Spaces where the private, everyday lives of local residents are given priority

What characterizes Stage $3$ in MacCannell's stages of frontstage and backstage?

Frontstages organized to appear like backstages, such as the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu

What is an example of a Stage $1$ frontstage?

Las Vegas casinos

What is an example of a Stage $6$ true backstage?

A family gathering at Thanksgiving

According to Taylor ($2001$), what is sincerity in tourist interactions?

An interactive sharing of experience between hosts and guests

What is cultural reductionism?

Reducing a culture to archetypes or stereotypes, such as the feasts and fashion phenomenon

What is the definition of cultural commoditization?

The transformation of culture—artifacts, music, dance—into commodities packaged for sale

What happens in Phase $3$ of the cultural commoditization process?

Culture is modified to meet tourist expectations and market dictates prices

Who are indigenous peoples according to the provided definition?

The original inhabitants of an area or those who occupied it prior to colonization

Name three characteristics of indigenous communities according to the UN Permanent Forum.

Self-identification, historical continuity with pre-colonial societies, and distinct language and beliefs

What are two negative impacts of tourism on indigenous communities?

Displacement/dispossession of land and loss of authenticity

What are the challenges for sustainable indigenous tourism mentioned by Carr et al. ($2016$)?

Geographical isolation, succession issues, and internal disagreements

What is the definition of gentrification?

A process of urban renewal designed to attract middle-class or affluent consumers to deteriorating areas, often displacing poorer residents

What is touristification?

A term reflecting tourism-induced gentrification related to social carrying capacity

Identify three physical characteristics of gentrification.

Increased property values, reduced housing alternatives, and displacement of lower-income families

What is one solution to tourism-induced gentrification proposed in the notes?

Place limits on the number of tourists entering a city

According to Gotham ($2005$), who drives gentrification and tourism?

Mega-sized financial firms and entertainment corporations in connection with city boosters