Tourism-Impact-on-Culture-and-Society

Introduction to Tourism Impacts on Culture & Society

• Presenter: Cris Edren L. Dela Pena, MBA-TRM

• Institution: College of Business Administration, University of the Visayas

Understanding Culture

• Definition of Culture:

  • Defined by UNESCO as the complete set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual, and emotional features of society or social groups. This includes:

    • Art and literature

    • Lifestyles and ways of living together

    • Value systems, traditions, and beliefs.

• Website Reference: www.tourism.gov.ph

Potential Impacts of Culture on Economic and Social Development

1. Cultural Assets:

   • Contribute to sustainable local development by supporting cultural industries.

   • Facilitate social and cultural revitalization.

2. Opportunities from Culture:

   • Provide a platform for improving gender equality.

   • Enhance self-esteem and promote social awareness.

UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics

• Categories of Cultural Heritage:

  • Tangible Cultural Heritage includes:

    1. Cultural and natural heritage

    2. Performance and celebration

    3. Visual arts and crafts

    4. Books and press

    5. Audio-visual and interactive media

    6. Design and creative services

Aspects of Culture Affected by Tourism Development

• Key affected areas include:

  1. Cultural and natural heritage

  2. Cultural landscapes

  3. Natural heritage

  4. Performance and celebration

  5. Visual arts (paintings, drawings, sculptures, crafts, photography)

  6. Crafts or artisanal products

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

• Definition: Includes practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills recognized as part of a community's cultural heritage per UNESCO.

• Characteristics of ICH:

  • Reflects traditional and living heritage.

  • Must be acknowledged by communities as part of their heritage.

• Five Domains of ICH in the Philippines:

  1. Oral Traditions and Expressions

  2. Performing Arts

  3. Social Practices, Rituals, and Festive Events

  4. Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe

  5. Traditional Craftsmanship

Cultural Change Driven by Tourism

• Tourists act as agents of cultural change, introducing new cultural elements to host communities.

Positive Impacts of Tourism on Culture and Society

1. Emotional Well-Being: Tourism has the potential to enhance emotional balance for communities.

2. Cultural Preservation: Provides resources and motivation for preserving cultural heritage.

3. Education: Increases awareness and education around cultural practices leading to a better understanding of cultural significance.

4. Quality of Life: Can improve overall community living conditions.

5. Empowerment: Strengthens community identity and pride.

Negative Impacts of Tourism on Culture and Society

1. Stunted Cultural Development:

   • Acculturation and commodification led to native cultures declining.

   • Loss of authenticity and cultural bastardization.

   • Trivialization: Cultural practices become oversimplified or misrepresented.

2. Commodification of Culture:

   • Cultural elements commercialized for mass consumption can lead to identity loss.

3. Moral Decadence:

   • Increased incidence of crime, prostitution, drug abuse, and alcoholism linked to tourism.

4. Social Divisions:

   • Local resentment towards migrants as they take job opportunities from residents.

5. Displacement:

   • Locals may be forced to sell their properties to outside investors, resulting in relocation.

6. Community Stress:

   • Increased crowding can lead to inconvenience and psychological tension.

   • Insufficient infrastructure to support growing tourism demands.

7. Dependence:

   • Communities may overly rely on tourism for economic stability, leading to cyclical dependency on foreign funding.

Conclusion

• Call to Action: Reflect on personal travel experiences and the transformative impact they have had on cultural appreciation.

• Website Reference: www.tourism.gov.ph