Tourism and culture

Tourism and Culture

• Culture is defined as a shared set of beliefs, values, attitudes, habits, and behaviors passed down through generations in a society.
• Understanding a country's culture is important to understanding the behavior of its individuals.
• Lack of understanding or inability to communicate with the host culture can lead to culture shock for tourists.

Effects of Culture on Travel

• Cultural patterns change due to internal forces, where some individuals are more open to trying new things.
• "Mass follow class" indicates that a destination initially attracts high-status individuals, whose actions are then copied by a larger number of people with lower social status.
• Cultural patterns are affected by external forces.
• Contact with different environments can alter existing attitudes and behaviors.
• Visiting a foreign country can change one's attitude towards its people, promoting sales of products in that destination.

Cultural Tourism

• Cultural tourism involves travel where people learn about different ways of life, promoting cultural relations and international cooperation.
• Louis D' Amore, former president of the Canadian Travel Research Association, stated that daily person-to-person encounters can improve relations among people and nations, emphasizing cultural sharing and appreciation rather than mistrust and isolation.

Cultural Factors with Tourist Appeal

• Key factors that make a country appealing to tourists include: art, music, dance, handicraft, industry, business, agriculture, education, literature, language, science, government, religion, food, drink, and history.

Art

• The arts include performing arts and fine arts.
• Performing arts refer to live shows like theater, music, and dance.
• Fine arts refers to painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and architecture.
• Pangkat Kawayan (bamboo orchestra) and the rondalla group are examples of performing arts.
• Examples of fine arts include Amorsolo's and Francisco's paintings and Michelangelo's sculptures.

Music and Dance

• Music is a major source of enjoyment for tourists in countries such as the Philippines, Hawaii, Spain, the United States, and the Balkan States.
• Resort hotels provide many opportunities for visitors to enjoy local music, including evening entertainment, concerts, recordings, and sound systems appreciated by tourists.
• Dancing in native or ethnic forms are attractive aspects of a country's culture, which can be presented as tourist attractions.
• Color, costumes, music, setting, and skill in form and execution enhance the attraction.
• Almost all countries have native or ethnic dances.
• Ethnic music and dancing should be incorporated to entertain tourists.

Handicraft

• Gifts and souvenirs for tourists should be manufactured in the country where they are sold.
• Tourists are dissatisfied when they discover souvenirs were made elsewhere.
• There is no substitute for genuineness.
• Locally produced items should be useful, attractive, and available in convenient shops.
• Watching craftsmen create handicrafts is an effective form of tourist entertainment.

Industry and Business

• Most travelers, especially international ones, are curious about a country's industry, commerce, manufactured goods, and its economy.
• Industry tours effectively develop interest in a country's culture and can create a potential market for its products.
• Tourist organizations should encourage tours of factories/processing plants.
• Group tours can be arranged for manufacturers to observe similar product manufacturing in other countries.

Agriculture

• A country's agriculture can draw large numbers of tourists.
• Dairy farms, fresh fruits and vegetables, crops, poultry, and livestock are farming types that represent important cultural elements.
• Farmers' markets are an important part of tourist services in rural areas, where local produce is sold to travelers.
• Local tours can promote agricultural developments, so tourists can experience and sample a country’s agricultural products.

Education

• Visitors are usually curious about the education system in other countries.
• College and university campuses are particularly appealing to tourists due to their scenic landscapes, making them ideally suited for enjoyable, insightful visits.
• Famous universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and the University of Sto. Tomas attract tourists.
• Many universities conduct adult education programs through their continuing education services.
• Opportunities for education attract students from around the globe, motivating them to travel.

Literature and Language

• A country’s literary works contribute significantly to inspiring travel.
• Books, magazines, newspapers, booklets, pamphlets, and other printed pieces express the culture of a country.
• Libraries are popular cultural spots for tourists and should have reading lounges and comfortable surroundings.
• Visitors can enjoy learning about the history, culture, arts, and folkways of their host country.
• Interest in language encourages travel, particularly among students seeking to improve their language skills or familiarity.

Science

• Tourists are interested in a country's scientific activities, especially in technology, education, or scientific research.
• Scientific attractions consist of museums of science and industry, planetariums, and scientific installations, such as atomic powerplants and space exploration centers.
• Zoos and aquariums are popular.

Government

• Countries have different governmental systems.
• Visits to centers of government, such as capitals, are motivating to people interested in political science and government.
• Travellers become aware of the type of government when visiting another country, and compare it with their own.

Religion

• Religious pilgrimage is a common travel motivation.
• For Muslims, the most popular pilgrimage is to Mecca.
• Many visit church headquarters and places prominent in religious texts, often traveling in groups.
• Visiting famous churches is also a good incentive.

Food and Drink

• Food and drink are an important part of any country’s culture.
• Tourists enjoy trying native foods, especially local or ethnic dishes.
• Restaurants and hotels that serve local dishes and explain what they are and how they’re made create a great impression on tourists.

History

• The success of tourism relies on a country's historical sites revealing cultural heritage.
• Preserving history and having quality museum management are critical.
• Tourists should be familiar with the history and archeology of a region as an important travel motivator.
• Supplying tourists with literature outlining points of interest, admission costs, hours of operation, notable events, and other important info to help them visit historical landmarks.