At first sight, tourism appears to be a prime mechanism by which cultural influences are diffused and assimilated as it involves the large scale movement of people from place to place, often involving the crossing of national boundaries. It also involves people consuming narratives of place, which encapsulate certain cultural values. Tourism always involves some form of   ‘cultural contact’.

When a person goes to a place, whether just nearby or halfway across the world, he finds himself in a different environment from that that of his own. As tourists cross border in the literal sense, they also cross cultural barriers. They have preconceived ideas about a place, formed from a variety of means be it books, media or just hearsay.  Tourists bring with them not only a set of expectations and perceptions about their destination, but also their own cultural preferences and forms of behavior, their own forms of indigenous knowledge. Such cross border movements are by nature temporary, and contacts between hosts and guests are transitory. Each side views the other as a generalized type, as the opportunities to develop for social interaction are generally limited.

For a long time, in absence of much inter-people interaction, the West and the East had such impressions of each other. The West saw the other as not so developed but being magical and mystical. Their ‘other worldly’ charm had a certain appeal and the East was termed as the Orient. For example India was known as ‘the land of snake charmers’ in the ancient times, but that image has changed for real now with the increasing globalization. On the other hand, the East too had a certain image of the developed world as being overly materialistic with lack of traditional values.

We all have our individual geographical imaginations and these are formed from a variety of factors – sex, age, class, ethnicity, culture, the media and many others. These differing geographical imaginations emphasize that representations are socially constructed and that there is an array of factors contributing to our understanding of the world.

How do the hosts and guests interact and react?? Tourists interpret and represent their experiences in ways that may be fundamentally opposed to the experience of those being visited. Also the way the hosts see the whole tourism experience can be either good or bad. It differs depending on the individual and who the stakeholder is.

Although guest-host interactions can unfold in a variety of contexts, the most common encounters occur when the tourists purchase goods or services from the host community. The tourists rarely get to know the native culture due to many factors. In absence of sufficient time at hand or maybe even unwillingness at times, the visitors may just indulge in sightseeing , shopping etc. and not involve themselves with the native people and culture. More common is the case of the language being a barrier. Inability to communicate with each other, the visitors and those visited fail to develop understanding towards each other’s cultures. In such cases, the tourists see the destination being visited through the meanings provided to them by the middlemen like the tour operators and guides etc. It is they who represent the local places and traditions, and shape the tourist gaze.

Many tourists are interested in the cultural heritage but most have minimal knowledge about the past. As such, they may be travelling to have their stereotypical images of a destination reinforced or possibly challenged.

Contacts between hosts and guests can result in friction because of differences in lifestyle and belief systems. What is normal in one society may be taboo in another. The definition of what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’ is very much contextual.  Often, inappropriate behavior of tourists is a major issue and there is an impact if the tourists are not aware of, or choose to ignore visitor etiquette or fail to show sensitivity to local customs.

The traditional societies, generally the Eastern countries, see tourism activities as somehow contaminating themselves by contact with what is invariably seen as the West or the developed world. The openness of the developed world is not welcomed there, with protests over the tourist’s way of dressing, defiling sacred places,  public display of affection etc. being much common. 

Clashes between the two can result in misunderstandings, and may serve to reinforce stereotypes rather than mitigate them.

One great paradox that comes with tourism is that whether it leads to the heterogeneity or homogeneity of society?? One of the consequences of globalization and tourism is the increasing homogenization and westernization of culture. But at the same time a counterargument exists that it leads to the increasing differentiation of cultures and the reassertion of cultural identity at a localized level.

 Food is a very vital aspect of culture. Changes that have come about from tourism in food habits are the most visible.

Foreign foods are increasingly available for the comforts of the incoming visitors with tourism becoming a major activity in many areas,. This, in turn, has exposed the local communities to their food and culture. A large number of restaurants and food establishments have begun to appear at most tourist destinations, offering numerous styles of food to satisfy every kind of consumer, leading to a gradual change in local food habits. Today, we can find eating outlets for major cuisines like Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Continental etc. in addition to authentic food joints in almost every tourist place. With exposure to new foreign foods, the host communities may gradually develop taste for new foods. We can say that this has led to a kind of global food culture with many multinational joints like Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Café Coffee Day and many more open up in several nations. In Such fast food joints are much more in vogue today than ever before, especially welcomed by the younger generations. But at the same time, not to be outdone by these innovations, there is often an increase in traditional eating places for both the locals and foreigners. Hence providing more authentic food tastes as well.

For the visitors, they willingly indulge in local foods and delicacies, which is seen as part of the overall travel experience but may like or dislike accordingly. It may so happen that the tourists may take this new found love for this food to their homes and continue their association. The word of mouth from the tourists in their native places about the different food forms perceptions of others. It can lead to others, who have never been to the actual tourist destination, trying out the traditional foods. The host culture thus travels far and wide.

“Cultures travel as well as people…. what is involved in the movement of culture is the migration of objects and people” as described in the theory given by Clifford. What can initially be foreign and imported can become indigenized and accepted as an integral and natural part of a culture. It seems that changes brought about by tourist contact are leading to the eradication of cultural differences and the replacement of cultural heterogeneity with a global culture characterized by homogeneity.

The argument for homogeneity is often cast in terms of commodification, seen to be the processes through which cultures are reduced to inauthentic shadows for sale to the masses. Commodifying  culture has become a significant factor in tourism, and one that is increasingly bound up in the development of a global tourist system. With tourism playing a very significant role in the economy, more and more efforts and resources are being put into attracting travelers to a destination with the result that the host culture and place becomes a commodity for the tourist consumption. Thorough advertising and marketing are clearly evident of this fact with the success of some recent tourism campaigns as examples.

New Zealand’s ‘100% Pure’ campaign sought to present that everything is fresh and unspoilt about the country and its people through the portrayal of it being ‘the youngest country on the earth’. ‘Malaysia: Truly Asia’ tourist campaign has resulted in more than a tripling of visitors to the nation to about more than 25 million through showcasing itself as a destination rich in history, culture in addition to great infrastructure and economic climate. ‘Incredible India’ campaign too has become a wonderful success with creating India as an exotic and exciting brand destination with a variety of heritage sites, beautiful landscapes and natural environment, rich in diversity, culture and spirituality. Closer at home, the ‘God’s own country’ tourism campaign by Kerala and ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ also attempt to showcase themselves as being ‘different and unique’ to the travelers with much success.

We have people attempting to define their place in the global system by asserting essential characteristics, often bound to place, as the basis for their cultural identities.

Now it has become a norm for destinations to organize some fair or event during the tourist season. Presenting these as their high points so as to attract tourists, the real meanings may be lost. Many traditional events are staged in a sanitized way to cater to the needs of the international visitors who often merely want a superficial, quick demonstration and a photo opportunity of ceremonies that might take hours or days to present authentically. Similarly, tourist demands on arts can distort the production and display of indigenous art forms, leading to increased fake mass reproduction of souvenirs, handicrafts etc.

This makes us ask- how much commodification can occur before an asset ceases to be authentic?? The notion of inauthenticity coming from commoditisation is very vague.

Cultures are not bounded entities, are not composed of unchanging essential elements, and are more mobile than before. So assuming that it is static is completely wrong and assigning a point of reference to judge the real authenticity is not possible.

Even if one accepts that there might be ‘authenticity’ of single objects such as a costume or a building in reference to a certain time or place – the selective portrayal of these components will always be based on the taste and perception of a modern biased society. The question arises- Who defines what is ‘authentic’?? The older generations are stricter in their views of what they think as the real authentic culture but the younger ones are more accommodating in this sense. Authentic culture has different meaning for different people.

It is hence hard to define what is actually authentic. 

To see the local people as merely the recipients of an external world which impinges upon them is like assigning them only the role of objects in the formation of tourist gaze. Using a commodified format to do so does not necessarily mean abandoning local notions of heritage and identity and may, moreover help establish the significance of local experience. The heritage centres and tourism more generally can be a way of telling the people’s story, and of helping to make sure that it will be heard

Local forms of knowledge are not necessarily corrupted by tourism, rather tourism is one element that needs to be dealt with, perhaps to be resisted, perhaps to be incorporated, perhaps to be changed and modified in the process.

Tourism thought of as a having a changing influence on the local culture can, at the same time, emerge as a means of recovering or rediscovering, aspects of history that may otherwise have been neglected.  In the process of promoting tourism, ancient heritage sites, art work, traditions etc. are glorified. These may be infused with new energy and attention is drawn to them from the local crowds, which may otherwise have been ignorant about its deep cultural roots. Examples are the many sacred rituals and events being regularly organized for tourists, events celebrating the history and culture of a place in addition to intense marketing etc. to promote awareness about its rich culture. The local residents are not left untouched by it and in fact, develop a new found sense of pride.

Tourism may itself become a part of an integral part of a process of cultural invention. Also, it is possible to visualize global tourism resulting in further differentiation through the instrumental use of places, people and activities as commodities for the tourist consumption.

Cultures are best conceptualized as dynamic systems containing both material and symbolic elements which cut across accepted notions of boundedness, and which also have the capacity within a global market.

Tourism and increased contact leads inexorably to homogeneity is not definite and in fact, a counter- movement towards heterogeneity always exists. It is not that greater contact will lead to greater understanding of one another, but can simply reinforce stereotypical attitudes of both hosts and guests rather than diminish them.

While tourism is globalised in terms of the movement of people and capital, it is also leading to the reassertion of more localized forms of culture, and the emergence of new hybrid forms created for both domestic purposes as much as tourist consumption. Hannerz sums it up well – “culture is fitted to circumstances”.

• Try to keep a smiling face as it has been seen to heal from within. Even when you fake a smile consciously, it relaxes your entire mind mechanism.

• Develop a habit of eating fresh food. Always eat little less than being completely full. Try and avoid excessive spicy and oily preparations. The kind of energy that is generated by the food you eat has vast effect on the quality of thoughts that your mind processes. Spiritual wellness is highly interlined with your food habits and consumption of quality food.

• Maintain a routine of early sleeping and early rising as the age-old saying goes “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, spiritually well and wise.”

• Contemplate on your reality, yourself as a cosmic part and on your connection with the universal self. Read something beautiful either from your religious scriptures or from any book written by noble men for at least 10 minutes in the morning.

• Introspect everyday all your deeds throughout the entire day as you wind up your activities at night. Weigh it in the backdrop of righteous and virtuous living.

• Connect yourself with nature by spending some time everyday in natural surroundings.

• A very quick and effective method of de-stressing yourself is sitting in silence with your eyes closed for two minutes. If you practice this everyday for 20 minutes, it’ll surely help you to achieve a composed personality.

• Give a second thought before reacting to any situation. You can do this by taking a pause before you react. You will see a lot of difference in the outcome.

• Choose your company carefully and consciously. Acquaintances who give noble thoughts and awareness can help to develop our spiritual wellness, which will increase our qualities of patience, tolerance, assurance and perseverance.

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Why is it that some people become non-vegetarian while others remain vegetarian?

One line is not sufficient to answer this question. It needs space for its explanation. There is not one reason but several reasons behind it.

Henceforth, I am mentioning the reasons, which are responsible for making of vegetarians. They are as follows:

• First and the foremost reason is that vegetarians do not dehumanize the animals. They think that animals are like us who need love and affection. Although, they might become aggressive and dehumanize animals, the period is very short for which they show aggression.
• It also depends on the religious beliefs of the person. For example, Hinduism and Jainism forbid meat consumption.

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• The surroundings in which they grow up also affect them. It is because if they grow in a vegetarian environment they will have a lesser tendency to become non-vegetarian.
• It also depends on the open mindedness of person. It is important because more open a person is to the different food habits more chances are there that he/she will alter his/her food habits.
• They are generally non-violent in nature.
• They generally love nature. They believe in preserving the biodiversity.
• It depends on the scientific approach of the person. It is because many scientific papers and articles claims that vegetarian diet is good.
• Health consciousness of the person also determines the food habit it takes. For example, to loose weight quickly a person might become vegetarian.
• It also depends on physical condition of the person. For example, a person with the danger of heart attack advised to avoid meat.
• Finally, they are sensitive to blood.

So, above mentioned are the main reasons why a person can become vegetarian. However, for the person to remain vegetarian forever, he/she has to stop dehumanizing animals. Otherwise, somewhere down the line a person will become non-vegetarian.

Becoming vegetarian has many advantages, which I have mentioned in many of my previous articles. These articles are as follows:

• Vegetarianism: an Elixir for Life 1: This article tells about the ways of saving greenhouse gases.
• Vegetarianism: An Elixir for Life 2: Proof that a non-vegetarian diet is posing a risk to the whole world.
• Vegetarianism: Elixir of Life 3: Enter to know how the world is getting into the grip of violence, hatred and negativity.
• Vegetarian Diet Can Only Solve Food Problem: With, increasing food prices and population the danger of worldwide food war is increasing. However, I feel that the solution of problem is very simple.

For more articles that are similar, refer:

1. Non Violence vs. Terrorism: Which is the best way to voice your views?
2. Why People Fight?: A question whose real reason takes different forms in different conditions.
3. 10 Reasons Why a Person Become Vegetarian: A real concept behind the making of vegetarian is given.
4. Why Good People Always Suffer: Why is it that all of God’s havoc is borne by good people? A mentality which is normally seen among good people need to be changed for good. Here, I give some very strong reasons of why to change this attitude.
5. Corporal Punishment: Good or Bad: Societal changes have occurred.

Articles on vegetarian diet advantages written by other authors are:

1)      Five Good Reasons to Be Vegetarian by Lucy Lockett

2)      Advantage Vegetarianism by dolli

3)      Global Warming and Vegetarianism by Rakshana Das

4)      People’s Knowledge and Acceptance of the Vegetarian Lifestyle by Jennifer Kirkwood

5)      The Ethics of Vegetarianism by Sarah Afshar

6)      Veggies Rule, Meat Eaters Drool by Benjamin Hartzfeld

7)      The Benefits of Vegetarianism by fornls

8)      Vegetarian Diet by Sugar Cane

9)      Why Many People Become Vegetarian by Tere

10)  Why Should Someone Become a Vegan? by Adam Sugden

11)  Meat Eaters Vs. Vegetarians by mrbliss1977

12)  Being a Vegetarian by Katien

13)  Vegetarianism: Change Your Plate, Change the World! by Holly Miles