Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
differences in culture among the peoples of the world, where accessible examples of such cultures are
located, and which of these cultures (or groups of cultures) would be most interesting to a particular
would-be traveler.
Most of the earth's 6.9 billion people are concentrated in a limited number of geographical areas.
These population concentrations provide attractions in themselves. On the other hand, areas of the
earth that are largely empty—such as Canada, parts of the western United States, Siberia, western
China, Australia, most of Africa, and much of South America
have appeal because of the absence of
humans. The landscape, with its towns and villages and rural (and perhaps nomadic) cultures, provides
interesting contrasts to urban centers. Visits to primitive cultures are enriching and exciting travel
experiences. In the United States, such cultural groups as the Amish in Pennsylvania or the American
Indian have tourist appeal.
—
TYPES OF DESTINATIONS AS TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
The spatial and characteristic diversity among destinations has become so great that it is important to
classify destinations so that a systematic discussion of tourism psychology and motivation can be
undertaken. One way to do this is to build on Valene L. Smith
is identi
cation of several types of
tourism.
6
That is, a classi
cation of destinations can be developed on the basis of the types of travel
experience provided at the various destinations.
Smith identi
ed six categories of tourism:
'
is travel for the purpose of observing the cultural expressions and lifestyles of
truly exotic peoples. Such tourism is exempli
ed by travel to Panama to study the San Blas
Indians or to India to observe the isolated hill tribes of Assam. Typical destination activities would
include visiting native homes, attending dances and ceremonies, and possibly participating in
religious rituals.
2. Cultural tourism
1. Ethnic tourism
is travel to experience and, in some cases, participate in a vanishing lifestyle
that lies within human memory (see Figure 10.3). The picturesque setting or
in the
destination area is the main attraction. Destination activities typically include meals in rustic
inns, costume festivals, folk dance performances, and arts and crafts demonstrations in
''
local color
''
''
old-
fashion. Visits to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and Green
eld Village in Dearborn,
Michigan, or to Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, are examples of cultural tourism.
3. Historical tourism
style
''
Rome,
Egypt, and Greece. Civil War sites in the United States such as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and
Chancellorsville, Virginia, are other examples. Guided tours of monuments, visits to churches and
cathedrals, and sound and light performances that encapsulate the lifestyle of important events
of a bygone era are favored destination activities. Such tourism is facilitated because the
attractions are either in or are readily accessible from large cities. Typically, such attractions seem
particularly adaptable to organized mass tourism.
4. Environmental tourism
is the museum-cathedral tour that stresses the glories of the past
—
is similar to ethnic tourism, drawing tourists to remote areas. But the
emphasis here is on natural and environmental attractions rather than ethnic ones. Travel for the
purposes of
and to appreciate (or become sensitive to) people-land
relationships falls in this category. Environmental tourism is primarily geographic and includes
such destinations and natural wonders as the Galapagos, Antarctica, Victoria Falls, Niagara Falls,
the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Park. Typical destination activities include
photography, hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing, and camping.
5. Recreational tourism
''
getting back to nature
''
centers on participation in sports, curative spas, sunbathing, and social
contacts in a relaxed environment. Such areas often promote sand, sea, and sex through beautiful
color photographs that make you want to be there on the ski slopes, on palm-fringed beaches, on
championship golf courses, or on tennis courts. Such promotion is designed to attract tourists
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