CABI Book Chapter
Understanding western tourists in developing countries.
Description
This book provides an analysis of Western tourists who travel in developing countries for holiday purposes, enabling suppliers to be aware of and help meet their demands while maximizing economic benefits, minimizing undesired social and cultural impacts, and developing sustainable products and practices. The book is intended for students and researchers in leisure, recreation and tourism, and to ...
Chapter 5 (Page no: 144)
Planning for the 'right' tourists.
This chapter presents strategic and practical conclusions concerning the process of tourism planning in developing countries that want to maximize the desired benefits from tourism and minimize the undesired impacts. First, however, the chapter argues that the dominant concepts used in international tourism discourse (such as ecotourism, sustainable tourism, 'dark green' environmentalism, ethnic tourism, and search for authenticity) are actually Western Protestant middle-class concepts. The question arises whether or not developing countries can implement these Western concepts and Western tourist practices without reserve. It is suggested that rather than aiming at 'standard' or 'alternative' tourism, destination areas should exert themselves to specify what types of tourism and tourism impacts are desired and develop products and management systems accordingly. Further, it is argued that the broad range of interests, preferences and behaviour that Western tourists exhibit requires an 'orchestrated approach' on behalf of destination managers in terms of offering a spectrum of contact opportunities and themes, ranging from a 'pleasure periphery' or specific tourism circuit ('frontage') to daily local life that is less suitable for public access ('backstage'). Which elements of the spectrum are actually exposed to tourists is for destination authorities and communities to decide.
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