Sociology of Tourism - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 241

negatively affecting the quality of the environment. The tourist industry cannot be held responsible for
the occurrence of crime. But one must be aware that tourists are a potential target of crime. Protecting
them from offenders is essential to the survival and growth of the industry.

Resentments

Resentment can be generated by the apparent gap in economic

circumstances, behavioral patterns, appearance, and economic effects. Such resentment of visitors is not
uncommon in areas where there is con ict of interests because of tourists. For example, in North America,
local people may resent visiting sports enthusiasts because they are

by local people toward tourists

'' shooting our deer '' or '' catching our

sh.

The demand by tourists for goods may also tend to increase prices and cause bad feelings.
Another form of resentment can result in a feeling of inferiority among indigenous groups because
of unfavorable contrasts with foreign visitors. Local persons employed in the service industries catering
to visitors may be better paid and, thus, exhibit feelings of superiority toward their less fortunate
fellow citizens. This creates a poor attitude toward the entire visitor industry.
Financial dislocations can also occur. While a tourist may give a young bellhop a dollar tip for
delivering bags, the bellhop

''

s father may be working out in the fields as a farm laborer for a total daily
wage of only a dollar or two.
As a rule, both hosts and guests in any society can learn from one another. Bene cial social
contact and planned visits to observe local life and culture do much to build appreciation for the
indigenous culture. At the same time, the visitors

'

' interest in indigenous ways of life increases the

local people s respect for the visitors and gives them a feeling of pride in their own accomplish-

ments. Tourism often facilitates a transition from rigid authoritarian social structure to one that is
more sensitive to the individual's needs. When societies are ''closed'' from outside in uences, they
tend to become rigid. By encouraging visitors, this policy is changed to a more moderate one, for the
bene t of hosts and guests. The preservation of wildlife sanctuaries and parks as well as national
monuments and other cultural resources is often encouraged when tourism begins to be a force in
the society.

'

Nothing hits the spot like an ice cream cone when on a family vacation. PhotocourtesyofWisconsin
DepartmentofTourism.