Sociology of Tourism - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 239

INTRODUCTION

S ociology is the science of society, social institutions, and social relationships. Visitors to a

community or area create social relationships that typically differ greatly from the af liations
among the indigenous population. In this chapter, we identify and evaluate tourist

host relationships
and prescribe methods of managing these to create signi cant advantages for both groups. The
ultimate effects of travel experiences on the population in areas of origin, as well as in places of
destination, should determine to what extent societies encourage or discourage tourism.

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EFFECTS ON THE INDIVIDUAL

Someone who travels, particularly to a strange location, often finds an environment that is unfamiliar,
not only geographically but also personally, socially, and culturally. Thus, the traveler faces problems
for which a solution must be found if the trip is to be fully enjoyable and rewarding. Travelers must
manage their resources of money and time in situations much different from those at home. They also
must manage their social interactions and social relations to obtain sustenance, shelter, and other
needs and possibly to find companionship. Determining the extent of the , they may

wish to maintain results in decisions as to just how unfamiliar the traveler wants his or her
environment away from home base to be. People who travel do so with different degrees of contact
with the new cultures in which they may find themselves. Life-seeing tourism, for example, is a
structured method for those who wish deeper immersion in local ways of life to acquire such
enrichment. Some travelers prefer a more selective contact experience, such as might be arranged by a
tour company. Tours designed around cultural subjects and experiences such as an anthropological
study tour or participation in an arts and crafts festival are examples. Regardless of the degree of local
participation, the individual traveler must at least super cially study the country to be visited and
reach some level of decision on how these problems in environmental differences are to be resolved.
Advance preparation is an intelligent approach. The

cultural distance

on
the host society as well as on the traveler, particularly because travel experiences often are among the
most outstanding memories in the traveler

effects of travel experiences are profound —

' s life.

EFFECTS ON THE FAMILY

As a is growing and the children are maturing, the trips taken as a family are highlights of any

year. The excitement of preparation and anticipation and the actual travel experience are memorable
occasions of family life. Travels with a measure of adventure are likely to be the most memorable.
Family travel may also be educational. The more purposeful and educational a trip becomes, the more
bene cial it is. Study before taking the trip and expert travel counseling greatly add to a maximization
of the trip

family

' s bene ts.

EFFECTS ON SOCIETY

Travel has a signi cant in uence on national understanding and appreciation of other people.
Government policies in progressive and enlightened nations encourage travel, particularly domestic
travel, as a means of acquainting citizens with other parts of their country and building appreciation for
the homeland.
The presence of visitors in a country affects the living patterns of indigenous peoples. The way
visitors conduct themselves and their personal relationships with citizens of the host country often has
a profound effect on the mode of life and attitudes of local people. Probably the most pronounced