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Posted by Chester Morton / Sunday 13 May 2018 / No comments
The social benefits of tourism
THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF
TOURISM
Definition of tourism
One of the most used definitions for tourism is the one by
the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO defines tourism as “…the activities
of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment
for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes
not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place
visited.”
Another definition by Mathieson and Wall, 1982, is also worth
nothing. They wrote in 1982 that tourism is “The temporary movement of people
to destinations outside their normal places of work and residence, the
activities undertaken during their stay in those destinations, and the
facilities created to cater to their needs.”
From the above, one can define tourism as the non-permanent
movement of a person from his or her place of abode to another place for
purposes not limited to business, leisure and pleasure but not receiving any
monetary compensation for it. It includes staying in places provided by others
for free or paid for and using facilities created for the benefit of making
life easy during their stay.
SOCIAL BENEFITS OF
TOURISM
Cultural understanding
One of the social benefits of tourism is the understanding it
engenders between tourists and hosts. It is understandable that there are
differences between the cultures of various countries. Even within countries,
there are differences between the cultures of one part of the country and
another part of the same country. As tourists and hosts interact, they are able
to understand each other culturally. Understanding the cultural norms of host
countries forms the bedrock in the flourishing of the tourism industry.
Job creation
Another social benefit of tourism is that it allows for the
creation of additional jobs in the host country. The tourism sector is
undoubtedly a very labour intensive sector. Any increase in visitation must
necessarily correspond to the number of people needed to cater for the needs of
the visitors. More hands mean more jobs are created.
Increase in employment
After jobs are created, the positions created must be filled
by qualified people. In addition to the creation of jobs therefore, it must be
added that people get employed, so another social benefit of tourism is that
there is increase in the number of people who get employed.
Alleviation of poverty
Another positive social benefit of tourism is that it helps
to alleviate poverty. When jobs are created and such jobs are taken up, people
earn money and are able to put food on the table for their families. Parents
and guardians are able to put their wards through school and are also able to
pay other bills. Poverty generally is reduced, to a certain extent, where
tourism flourishes.
Preservation of local culture
Tourism is socially beneficial because it helps to preserve
the indigenous culture of the local people. This is so because as visitors
throng in to watch annual festivals and appreciate it, the locals take a closer
look at their culture and view it as a cultural heritage. They are encouraged
to develop their own cultural identity and sell its attraction to the world.
International co-operation
Also, tourism is socially beneficial to a country because it
helps to promote cooperation among nations. International cooperation is
usually handled by the International Cooperation Division or any analogous
division within the Ministry of Tourism in a particular country. The division
mentioned earlier holds consultations with other international organizations
such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization, organizes cultural
exchanges with other countries and sends representatives to international
events and conferences. All these activities help to promote international
cooperation among nations.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a. Define tourism.
b. What are the
social benefits of tourism?
2. In what six ways does tourism benefit your country?
3. Highlight six importance of tourism to a nation.
ALSO READ:
The economic benefits of tourism
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