Geography Tourism (2.3)

Positive social impacts of tourism (Cultural preservation)

Where: China

What: Shadow puppetry

• Ancient art form → Culturally important to local communities → Passes on history and traditions

• Tourists showing greater interest→ Innovations were made to attract viewers

• Watch shadow puppetry using Virtual reality → Preserve and revitalise art forms

• Positive social impacts of tourism (Enhancing cultural ecosystem services)

Where: SanJiangYuan National Park, China

What:

• Villagers in AngSai Village run a community-based tourism programme → Allow tourists to stay with local families and have a chance to view these snow leopards in the wild

• Provide cultural ecosystem services

1. Aesthetic benefits → Locals and tourists can appreciate the beauty and scenery of protected National Park

2. Educational benefits → Learn about the conservation of snow leopard and experience the traditional culture of the villagers

3. Recreational benefits → Offer relaxation: Snow leopard viewing, hiking, camping

4. Spiritual benefits → Buddhist locals get to spiritually connect; tourism provides an incentive to continue protecting the mountains and snow leopards which are sacred to them

Negative social impacts of tourism (Commodification of culture)

Where: Vancouver, Canada

What:

• Totem poles have been commodified and widely available for tourists to purchase as souvenirs

• Most of the pieces are inauthentic → Created without any collaboration with native tribes

• Creates tensions between locals who sell souvenirs for a living and locals who feel that their culture have been diluted

Negative social impacts of tourism (Cultural clashes)

Where: Hawaii, USA

What:

• Locals did not wish for Hawaii to be open up to the public after months of Covid-19 lockdown

• Many tourists did not follow public safety guidelines → Wearing a mask properly

• Locals felt that tourists do not respect the indigenous Hawaiian culture

Negative social impacts of tourism (Rise in crimes)

Where: France, Marsielle

When: July 2023

What: Chinese tourists who were visiting were met with a violent attack when marked robbers tossed rocks at their bus, causing 5-6 injured