Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INTRODUCTION
T The highest purpose of tourism is to become better acquainted with people in other places and
countries, because this furthers the understanding and appreciation that builds a better world for
all. International travel also involves the exchange of knowledge and ideas, another worthy objective.
Travel raises levels of human experience, recognition, and achievements in many areas of learning,
research, and artistic activity. Tourismgoes beyond dependable transportation and comfortable hotels; it
necessitates enhancing all the avenues through which a country presents itself. They include educational,
cultural, media, science, and meeting/congress activities. To increase accessibility, cultural institutions
need to adapt to meet visitors
needs, sometimes providing multilingual guides and signage. Tourists can
then more easily choose the purposeful activities that will match their interests.
Travel experiences vary according to the varieties of humankind and their geographical distribution.
To classify destinations so that a systematic discussion of tourism motivation can be undertaken,
Valene L. Smith has identi ed six categories of tourism: (1) ethnic tourism, (2) cultural tourism,
(3) historical tourism, (4) environmental tourism, (5) recreational tourism, and (6) business tourism.
Obviously, destinations can, and usually do, provide more than one type of tourism experience. 1
'
IMPORTANCE
Although
is only one factor that determines the overall attractiveness of a tourism region (see
Figure 10.1, Stage 1), it is a very rich and diverse one. The elements of a society
culture
'
is culture are a complex
re ection of the way its people live, work, and play (Figure 10.1, Stage 2).
Cultural tourism covers all aspects of travel whereby people learn about each other's ways of life
and thought. The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides another widely used de nition:
''
Cultural and heritage tourism is traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically
represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes historic, cultural and natural
resources.
2 Tourism is, thus, an important means of promoting cultural relations and international
cooperation. Conversely, development of cultural factors within a nation is a means of enhancing
resources to attract visitors. In many countries, tourism can be linked with a
''
policy.
It is used to promote not only knowledge and understanding but also a favorable image of the nation
among foreigners in the travel market.
''
cultural relations
''
Sport, recreation, and
educational facilities
Shopping and
commercial
facilities
Natural beauty
and climate
Cultural
and social
characteristics
Language
Price
levels
Infrastructure
of the region
Accessibility
of the region
Figure 10.1
Cultural variables
in uencing the attractiveness of a
tourism region.
Source:J. R. Brent Ritchie and Michel Zins,
``Culture as Determinant of the
Attractiveness of a Tourism Region,''
AnnalsofTourismResearch(April - June
1978), p. 256.
Attitudes
toward tourists
STAGE 1
General factors that determine
the overall attractiveness of a
tourism region.
STAGE 2
Social and cultural elements
contributing to the attractiveness
of a tourism region.
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