Positive social impacts of tourism
Cultural preservation
Enhancing cultural ecosystem services
Negative social impacts of tourism
Commodification of cultural practices and art forms
Cultural clashes
Rise in crimes
Cultural preservation
Tourists are interested in visiting places with rich culture and are keen to learn more or participate in events, activities, and festivals which lead to increased interest among tourists and local communities in preserving traditional cultural practices and art forms.
Incentive for cultural preservation because tourism revenues help to boost the local economy, which further helps to protect traditional cultural practices, artefacts, and art forms.
Planning authorities may also invest money to encourage such traditional practices, such as through the building of museums, or grants for art forms. In doing so, tourist destinations not only increase their appeal to tourists, but also help to protect traditional heritage, as well as build locals’ sense of belonging to their community.
Preserving culture ensures the passing down of knowledge and cultural practices from generation to generation as well as ensures the protection of cultural diversity for the local communities.
One example is shadow puppetry in China, an ancient art form which has gained interest due to tourism. In 2011, Chinese shadow puppetry was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
2. Enhancing cultural ecosystem services
Sanjiangyuan National Park provides the following cultural ecosystem services:
Aesthetic benefits - Locals and tourists get to appreciate the beauty and scenery of the protected National Park.
Educational benefits - Tourists get to learn about the conservation of snow leopards and experience the traditional culture of the villagers.
Recreational benefits - Locals and tourists get to engage in recreational activities that may offer relaxation such as snow leopard viewing, as well as other activities such as hiking or camping.
Spiritual benefits - Buddhist locals get to connect spiritually as tourism provides an incentive to continue protecting the mountains and snow leopards which are sacred to them.
Negative social impacts
Commodification of cultural practices and art forms
As the demand for heritage tourism increases, traditions may undergo commodification and lose their authenticity.
This weakens their cultural value for both the local community and tourists.
Cultural rituals may be exaggerated, staged, or condensed to suit the needs and requests of tourists.
Art forms may be mass-produced for tourists.
Cultural clashes
Tourism may also bring conflicts to the indigenous culture.
The younger generation in particular are susceptible to the attractions of western lifestyle brought by tourism and this may lead to out-migration and change in the age structure of local populations.
In Turkey, the traditional and conservative nature of society is changing in the new tourist resorts, as young people come in contact with radically different attitudes to women, nudity and religious observance. This can cause friction between the generation.
The designation of protected sites for ecotourism may force local people off lands to which they traditionally had open access. In turn, this may mean agricultural land and sources of firewood are lost and this may disastrously affect the ability of local people to develop a sustainable economy.
In Acapulco, Mexico, the people living by the magnificent bay were forced out as the resort grew. Many now live on the dangerous and infertile slopes above - miles from sources of work and food. Tribespeople who have lived for centuries on the Thai-Burmese border, within an area of tropical rainforest now designated as a World Heritage Site, have been moved out of its boundaries for reasons of strict conservation. However, tourists are being allowed in, and lodges for them have been built.
Crimes associated with tourism
Destination regions may experience a rise in crime rates, such as pick-pocketing, as tourists often carry large sums of money and other valuables, making them lucrative targets.
Tourists are more likely to be relaxed and off guard, making them easier targets.
Tourists may also find themselves being targeted, if negative sentiments from some locals towards them continue to build up.
The increased crime rates may make locals feel less safe