Understanding the cultures of tourists and the effect on the cultures of places

What is it about?

The piece argues that culture matters to tourism; looking at the cultures of places that are visited and the culture of tourists as a distinct social group and distinctive social activity. Contrary to many accounts that see the rise of tourism weakening or eroding local cultures making places more homogeneous, the chapter suggests tourists themselves bring cultural practices and furthermore suggests tourism is thus culturally productive - producing places rather than just eroding them. It also argues this is not just the case with tourism to visit 'cultural sites' but also more generally.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

It suggests that cultural understandings of tourism are needed to get beyond a story of either places being homogenised by the mass market or confining culture to tourists seeking out cultural sites and experiences. Instead it argues for seeing tourism as a set of cultural practices in and of itself.