MGBBT1TAS Tourism and Society Assignment Sample

Introduction

This essay will look into the dynamic interplay between tourism and society, and why it is essential for the growth of tourism as an industry, as well as for society today and in the future. It will provide a brief synopsis of the essay’s goals and outline the correlation among tourism and society by investigating key sociological ideas, concepts, and practises. This will contain a definition of sociology as well as an assessment of various socio-cultural, political, and economic contextual impacts on tourist sustainability. The essay will demonstrate knowledge of the interplay and interconnectedness of people, locations, and procedures in the tourist industry.

Sociology is scientific learning of human behaviour, societies, and the relationships between people, places, and processes. It is an important tool for understanding the interrelationship between tourism and society, and the ways in which tourism affects and is affected by the societies in which it operates. The tourism industry is an important source of economic growth, employment, and income for many societies, yet it is also a highly complex and dynamic sector which is heavily dependent on the political, cultural, and social context in which it operates.

The interrelationship between tourism and society is a multi-faceted one, with both good and bad implications for society. Furthermore, tourism can act as a powerful agent of social change, promoting economic development and job creation, and bringing people of different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs together. On the other hand, it can also lead to the displacement of local communities, the exploitation of resources and labour, and the disruption of social and cultural norms.

This essay will investigate the dynamic interaction between tourism and society, as well as why it is critical for the growth of tourism as an industry, as well as for society in the present and the future. It will provide a brief synopsis of the essay’s goals and outline the correlation among tourism and society by investigating key sociological ideas, concepts, and practises. This will contain a definition of sociology as well as an assessment of various socio-cultural, political, and economic contextual impacts on tourist sustainability. The essay will demonstrate knowledge of the interplay and interconnectedness of people, locations, and procedures in the tourist industry. Through the analysis of sociological theories, principles, and practices, this essay will consider the ways in which the tourism industry interacts with, and is shaped by, society and the environment. It will examine the implications of this interrelationship for the development and sustainability of tourism, and consider the potential for tourism to act as a force for positive social change.

First Core Section

Tourism’s Economic Impacts on Society

According to Descriptive Theory, the economic benefits of tourism on society are diverse, ranging from direct to indirect, positive to negative. The Tourism is a major sector in the global economy and its impacts can be both positive and negative (Ramaano, 2022). It can bring jobs, income and revenues to a region, but can also have negative impacts such as environmental degradation, overcrowding, and exploitation of the local culture. The economic impacts of tourism can be divided into direct and indirect, positive and negative.

Direct positive economic impacts of tourism: It can include increased employment opportunities, increased income for businesses, and increased tax revenues for the local government. Tourism can provide employment for a variety of people including tour guides, hotel staff, and shop owners (Buhalis, 2022). Tourism-related businesses, such as restaurants, hotels, and transportation services, will gain from increased demand for their services. In addition, local governments can benefit from the increased tax revenues generated by the tourism industry.

Indirect positive economic impacts of tourism: This are those that are not directly related to tourism but are still beneficial to the region. These include increased investment in infrastructure, increased foreign direct investment, increased economic diversification, and increased local knowledge and skills. Increased investment in infrastructure will help improve the region’s roads, water supply, and other public services (Nguyen and Llosa, 2023). Foreign direct investment can help a region to develop new industries, which can provide additional employment opportunities and increase the region’s economic output. Economic diversification can help reduce the region’s reliance on one single industry and can help reduce the risk of economic shocks. Finally, increased local knowledge and skills can lead to improved productivity and higher wages.

Direct negative economic impacts of tourism: It include increased prices, overcrowding, and negative environmental impacts. Increased prices can result from the increased demand for goods and services, which can make it more difficult for local people to afford the goods and services they need. Overcrowding can lead to a decrease in the quality of life for local people as well as increased stress on local infrastructure (Tan and Ismail, 2020). Furthermore, tourism can also have a negative impact on the environment. For example, increased tourism can lead to water pollution, air pollution, and destruction of natural habitats.

Indirect negative economic impacts of tourism: It include exploitation of the local culture and displacement of local people. Exploitation of the local culture can occur when tourists are not respectful of the local customs and beliefs and seek to impose their own values and beliefs on the local people (Bladen and Callinan, 2023). Displacement of local people can occur when tourism-related development displaces traditional industries, leading to unemployment and poverty.

Overall, it is evident that tourism can have both positive and negative economic impacts on a region. However, it is vital to identify the balance of good and negative consequences and to ensure that the positive effects outnumber the negative effects (Godovykh et. al. 2021). Tourism sustainability is therefore crucial for economic development in a region, as it ensures that the benefits of tourism are spread out and that the negative impacts are minimized.

Second Core Section

The impacts of tourism on the society

With over 1.2 billion worldwide tourists in 2015, tourism is one of the world’s greatest industries and is rapidly expanding (United Nations World Tourism Organisation, 2015). This growth has led to numerous impacts on society, both positive and negative, which go well beyond the economic impacts (Streimikiene et. al. 2021).

Figure 1 Impact of Tourism

(Source- Impact of tourism, 2023)

Socio-cultural impacts: This are the most commonly studied, with tourism potentially having a variety of effects on culture, particularly in relation to traditional values and behaviours. For example, the influx of tourists may lead to the commodification of culture, with a focus on capitalising on certain aspects of culture, such as exotic traditions, for the purpose of attracting tourists (Ramkissoon, 2020). This can lead to a homogenisation of cultures, as the desire to attract tourists often leads to the creation of a ‘tourist bubble’, with certain aspects of culture becoming standardised. The process of commodification may also lead to a lack of authenticity in cultural experiences, as traditional practices and behaviours may be altered to be more appealing to tourists.

On the other hand, tourism can provide positive socio-cultural impacts. People may develop a better understanding of different cultures, as they have the opportunity to experience them. This may result in an increase in cultural capital, as individuals develop knowledge and awareness of diverse cultures, which can have a good impact on society’s general level of cultural understanding (Brauer et. al. 2019). Additionally, tourism can help promote sustainable practices, as locals become aware of the value of preserving their cultural heritage.

Political impacts: As tourism has the potential to be a catalyst for social change, its effects are also being explored more and more. This can be seen in how tourism can help to empower people, particularly in developing countries, where locals can benefit from the economic opportunities offered by the industry. Tourism can also act as a vehicle for the spread of democracy, as tourists may promote democratic values in countries where they are visiting (Koçak et. al. 2020). On the other hand, there are some potential negative political impacts of tourism, such as the potential for corruption, as politicians may try to take advantage of the industry for their own benefit. Additionally, there is a risk of exploitation of local people, as tourists may be unaware of the local culture and customs, leading to a lack of respect for certain traditions.

Environmental impacts: The tourism industry also has a range of environmental effects, both positive and negative. Positive effects could include the creation of green places like parks and beaches in an effort to draw tourists (Page and Connell, 2020). This may result in a rise in biodiversity and offer locals a means of relaxation. On the other hand, there is a risk of environmental degradation because the increase in visitors may cause pollution to rise and natural habitats to be destroyed.

Overall, while tourism has many positive economic impacts, there are also a variety of other impacts that should be considered. These include socio-cultural, political and environmental impacts, which can be both positive and negative (Nassani et. al. 2019). It is important that these impacts are taken into account when considering the development of tourism, to ensure that it is sustainable and beneficial to the local community.

Third Core Section

The Intersection of Tourism and Society: Exploring the Future of the Relationship:

The interrelationship between tourism and society is expected to evolve in the future due to the increasing demand for travel, the changing preferences of travellers, the advancements in technology, and the pressure of urbanization (Rather, 2021). In this regard, it is possible to anticipate a number of scenarios of tourism development in the future.

Firstly: The growth of tourism is expected to be driven by the emergence of new destinations and the increased demand for emerging destinations. This trend is likely to be driven by an increase in the number of travellers, especially those from developing countries, who seek to explore new locations and experience different cultures (Jiang and Hong, 2021). This trend is also likely to be accompanied by improvements in the travel industry, including the development of new travel services and technologies, such as virtual travel experiences.

Secondly: The changing preferences of travellers are likely to be influential in the future evolution of the interrelationship between tourism and society. For example, travellers are increasingly valuing sustainability, which is likely to lead to more responsible tourism practices, such as the development of eco-tourism, the promotion of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, and the use of renewable energy sources (Waymer and Heath, 2019). In addition, travellers are increasingly seeking unique experiences, which may lead to the development of more niche and experiential forms of tourism.

Third: Technological advancements are likely to continue to shape the tourism industry. For example, the development of artificial intelligence and automated systems are likely to lead to more efficient and personalized travel experiences (Blundell et. al. 2020). Furthermore, the expansion of the sharing economy is expected to have a substantial impact on the tourism industry, allowing travellers to access a broader range of services, such as lodging and transportation, at a lower cost.

Fourth: More urban tourism experiences are anticipated to emerge as a result of the pressures of urbanisation. This may include the development of cultural and heritage tourism, as well as urban recreational activities. It is also likely to lead to the development of new forms of tourism, such as rural tourism, which may provide travellers with a more authentic experience of rural life.

Overall, the evolution of the interrelationship between tourism and society is likely to be driven by a number of factors, including the emergence of new destinations, the changing preferences of travellers, the advancements in technology, and the pressure of urbanization (Joo et. al. 2019). In this regard, it is expected that the tourism industry will continue to grow, with more niche and experiential forms of tourism being developed, as well as more sustainable practices being adopted.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that it is obvious that the tourist industry is crucial to the world economy and will probably continue to be so in the future. Numerous economic, sociocultural, political, and environmental effects of tourism on society, both good and bad. The benefits include increased employment, economic expansion, and gains from foreign exchange. Overcrowding, environmental damage, and community dislocation are some of the detrimental effects.

To maintain the long-term economic prosperity of the society, tourism must be managed in a sustainable manner. This can be achieved through the promotion of sustainable practices, such as eco-tourism, and the development of responsible tourism initiatives. Furthermore, changing traveller preferences, technological improvements, and urbanisation pressures are likely to alter the future of the tourist sector, resulting in the development of more niche and immersive types of tourism.

Overall, it is apparent that the tourism sector is a significant contributor to the global economy and will continue to be so in the future. However, in order to maximise its potential benefits and limit its negative effects, it must be handled in a sustainable and responsible manner. Furthermore, it is expected that the tourism industry would continue to play an important role in society. It is critical that the sector is managed appropriately and sustainably because it has the potential to have a substantial positive and negative impact on regional communities and economies. The tourism industry will continue to play an important role in generating economic growth, job creation, and cultural awareness as a result of this. It will also continue to be an important aspect of society for a long time to come.

References

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Buhalis, D., (2022). Tourism management and marketing in transformation: preface.

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