After watching a
documentary, two points become relevant for establishing sustainable tourism
which benefits both the visitors and the hosts. In the first place, protecting
local culture is considered a multidisciplinary issue, hence must not be out of
any touristic planning. Furthermore, the preservation of the environment is equally
as important as the cultural heritage.
To advocate the
importance of cultural protection we must analyze its roots. Why is a place
relevant for tourists? Often, visitors look for either curious, pleasurable, or
trendy places. Whatever the reason, if a place offers safety, considerable infra-structure
(e.g. transport facilities), and good life to their inhabitants, it means,
there is a potential place to be visited. Despite that, the local culture,
which includes culinary traditions, music, dance and other folkloric manifestations,
is a crucial point when assessing possible tourist numbers.
In respect to the
environment, usually traditional societies have been looking after it for
generations. Therefore, any modification of it such as wrong waste disposal,
abuse of water supplies, or even simply listening to loud music, might bring
arguments between locals and visitors.
In conclusion,
although these two factors are closely connected, what is the most relevant is
the culture. It is because environmental preservation is, normally, closely
related to local culture (as said above). Moreover, to maintain this high level, visitors must
respect the local habits, mostly when they are visiting very traditional
cultures. It is pointless whether any holiday package has been bought, it does
not allow anyone to consider travel as a simple product. Respect is the first
word to be on the mind of a conscious traveller.
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