The Influence of the Tourist Industry and Municipality on Cultural Changes

That tourism flows pollute the local culture1 and degrade the authenticity of a location (Desforges 517-518) has almost become a truism. In fact, as Coleman and Crang observe such critiques are as old as tourism itself (qtd. in Desforges 522-524) and are linked up with a wrong understanding of places – at least from a human geographical point of view. If detractors state that a locality has become “inauthentic” under touristic influence than in reverse it must have been “authentic”, meaning genuine, unaffected and stable, before travelers visited it and brought their own culture. In contrast there is basically no place which developed without the influence of travelers. As Doreen Massey notes a place is not the way it is because of internal characteristics but because of global linkages (qtd. in Crang 45-49) and as Desforges adds “tourism and travel are merely a new form of interconnection between places” (523). For instance the Dutch city Middelburg gained some of its today's distinctive appearance and character by the slave trade and the resulting prosperity some hundred years ago (Encyclopædia Britannica). As Greenwood concludes “some of what we see as destruction is construction” (182). However, distinctive local traditions like certain ceremonies can change or even lose not only their original meaning but also the sense for residents under the influence of mass tourism (Hall and Page 122; Greenwood 181-182). One example for such a change of meaning can be seen in the development of the wine festivals in the Palatinate in Germany which will be examined later.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Influence of the Tourist Industry and Municipality on Cultural Changes
• Commoditization of Local Culture: The Alarde of Fuenterrabia
• Cultural Changes and Tourism: A Critical Perspective
• The Wurstmarkt of Bad Dürkheim: A Case Study

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

The objective of this text is to investigate the influence of tourism and municipalities on cultural changes in local communities. It explores the impact of the tourist industry on cultural traditions, the role of municipalities in promoting tourism and shaping local culture, and the potential negative consequences of commodification and homogenization.

• The commodification of local culture under touristic influence
• The transformation of traditional rituals and celebrations into tourist attractions
• The potential negative effects of tourism on local culture, such as homogenization, loss of authenticity, and the erosion of traditional values
• The complex relationship between tourism and local economic development
• The importance of considering the perspectives of local residents in evaluating the impact of tourism on culture

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The first chapter examines the influence of the tourist industry on local culture and the potential for commodification of cultural traditions. It discusses the criticism of tourism as a form of cultural pollution and argues that the impact of tourism on local culture is more complex and multifaceted than simply "destroying" it.
• The second chapter presents the case of the Alarde, an annual parade in Fuenterrabia, Spain, as an example of how a traditional ritual was transformed into a tourist attraction. It analyzes the role of municipal promotion in this process and highlights the potential for alienation of local residents from their own cultural traditions.
• The third chapter delves into the broader theoretical and ethical issues surrounding tourism and local culture. It critiques the cultural pessimism that views any change as negative and emphasizes the importance of considering the perspectives and interests of local residents. It also explores the economic consequences of tourism and the potential for both positive and negative impacts on local communities.
• The fourth chapter uses the example of the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt, a wine festival in Germany, to illustrate how mass tourism can contribute to the homogenization and commercialization of cultural events. It explores the concerns of local residents who feel that the festival has become too touristy and no longer represents their cultural heritage.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The core themes of this text revolve around the intersection of tourism, culture, and local communities. Key terms include tourism impacts, cultural commodification, local identity, cultural homogenization, municipal promotion, economic development, and the perspectives of local residents.

Details

• College: Utrecht University (Roosevelt Academy)
• Grade: A
• Author: Nora Görne (Author)
• Publication Year: 2010
• Pages: 9
• Catalog Number: V177731
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640994694
• ISBN (Book): 9783640995639
• Language: English
• Tags: tourism tourist industry municipality cultural changes