International Tourism - Cultural Perspective - Essay Example

RUNNING HEAD: INTERNATIONAL TOURISM-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE International Tourism-Cultural Perspective Name Institution Date Introduction Tourism has for many decades been regarded as among the most valuable sectors within many economies globally. Besides being a fast growing and highly beneficial industry, the growing mutual relationship between tourism and culture has not passed the global attention, with this relationship argued to be able to strengthen not only attractiveness but also competitiveness of destination-states. As stated by OECD (2008), culture of a particular destination is increasingly becoming a vital element within tourism while it creates a destination-state’s distinctiveness within the over-crowded global marketplace. This is especially true for Australia and Saudi Arabia as destination states when their cultural aspects are clearly examined. This research paper therefore closely examines the cultural aspects of Australia and Saudi Arabia. A brief historical background is discussed including religious wars and invasion of other cultures. Also political stability of the two countries is taken into consideration. Equally a vivid description and comparison of the countries’ cultures is analyzed. Finally the topic of examination is narrowed down by critically analyzing the implications of international tourism on the host countries. The culture of Saudi Arabia and Australia is basically a western culture followed by the influence of the various multi-ethnic migrations. Essentially it is because the two countries were under the colony of Britons. Anglo-Celtic heritage in Australia is evidenced by lots of considerations, that is, predominance of English language, western art and music, dominancy of Judeo-Christian ethics and an existence of democratic system of governance. All these were introduced by the arrival of Britons in the year 1978 and massively invaded the Australians’ long serving culture. Despite this, Colson (2013) highlights that Australia still entails the oldest surviving cultural traditions based on Torres Strait islander and Aboriginal persons. Most aboriginal people cherish a belief system based on dreamtime. This period refers to a time when spirits created culture and land. It also gives a clear cut on identity and responsibilities of these people. The culture of the origin countries, however, has significantly diverged forming a distinct culture. According to Daher (2007), Saudi Arabia is widely known for its unique lifestyle. Its culture is purely Islam and Arab-based. Lots of elements are put under control given that the Muslim religion does not permit some elements. By so doing, the old serving heritage is preserved whereby cultures and traditional values are adapted into legal prohibitions. For instance, it will be almost impossible to find advertisements on Christmas parties but Christmas decorations are sold in shopping malls. In other words, the cultural aspects to some points limit the non believers on cultural issues. Basically, the following are some of the cultural aspects based on the host countries and their implications on the international tourism. A keen interest has been made on some of these factors and how they influence tourism, whereby their effects are also deeply analyzed based on various forms of cultures. Normally, culture is a people’s way of life and there is need for foreigners to embrace it fully. For example the dress code in Saudi Arabia dictates on what is to be worn especially in the public. Dress code The customs and religion Saudi Arabia gives out a conservative dress for both men and women. Some leeway is given to foreigners on matters of dress. The fashion guide line is to conceal not reveal. Men are supposed to wear long trousers and modestly shirts while women are expected to wear loose fitting skirts going below the knees (Xie, 2011). Such norms impact heavily on international tourism, especially where people from western countries tend to dress up decently at will, with a good number wearing light and revealing clothes. For example, hot pants and bras for women and shorts and vests for men. Equally, the fitting jeans-wear, which is not allowed in Saudi Arabia, is most worn by international tourists. This will bar many from touring in the origin countries, hence low income generation and the consequent poor economic growth within the destination country. Australians are not limited to any formal dress code like in Saudi Arabia. It has got no single national uniform. The local dress code is based on people’s lifestyle, identity and response to climate. Swim wear and bush wear, along with indigenous and Australian designs clearly show the Australian dress code. This gives the country an upper hand to compete favorably in the international tourism industry. Many international tourists are given freedom of dressing. They are not restricted to any dress code as in Saudi Arabia where citizens and all residents are entitled to some specifications of national attires (Abdalla, 2013). It even creates good international relations as the Australian government does not prohibit anyone from their own wear. This sends a signal of a democratic republic that allows freedom of all it takes to be in a foreign land. Most foreigners enjoy the stay in Australia as the country entails some of the most beautiful sceneries to see too. It builds the element of competitiveness and attractiveness thus making it able to maximize on advantages associated with tourism development. Literature Literary works tend to explain deeply on a country’s past historical records in all disciplines. It gives a clear cut of how things were done there before as compared to the current and modernized way. Through it international tourists are capable of learning and knowing all about the host country. The two destination countries have got different literature based on their cultures and beliefs. Saudi Arabia’s literary authors have their work published in Yemen and Aden because of censorship. In fact most of these literary works are done in Arabic language. This entails a negative attitude on international tourists who do not know the Arabic language whereby communication also becomes problematic hence creating poor international relations (Samovar et.al, 1998). English, being the international language and widely spoken in the world, should be used in most fields especially literature. Tourists will like to read on some cultural aspects of the origin countries but in vain since almost all is done in the local language. For example Saudi Arabia Bedouin poetry is alien to western culture. Australia encourages creation, publication and promotion of its literary works. The entire work is done in English contrary to the Saudi Arabian literature that is done in either Arabic or Islamic (Allen,2006). This makes it easier for foreigners to understand the Australian cultural aspects and their impacts on international tourism. Visitors tend to shy away from local languages that they do not understand and this earns Australia lots of privileges from the international communities within the country. It also creates conducive and enjoyable environment for its international tourists. In return, there are lots of benefits including high foreign exchange, job creations, increase in advanced technologies, improved living standards among many more. Religion Religion is one of the most fundamental cultural aspects of any state. For instance, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Islamic monarchy in which Islam is the official and legal religion. The Saudi Arabia’s government does not protect nor recognize non believers. There is no freedom of worship. It only limits her citizens to one formal religion, which is Islam. Moreover, the practice of non Muslim cultures in public is highly prohibited (Trompenaars, 1993). Definitely, this will translate to less number of foreigners in these host countries. A large number of international tourists have differing religions since they come from different parts of the world. Every of these individuals have their religions and customs to adhere to but unfortunately the host country does not allow it. It will be a bit tougher to handle such kind of souls hence making their stay in the host country much imposible. Basically, tourists need some piece of mind and a shred of peace wherever they are. This will make their movement within the host country easier and friendly. But, in a situation whereby the state does not care for non religious members then it becomes difficulty for survival. In contrary to Saudi Arabia’s religion, the Australian religion is predominantly Christianity. As per 2011 census, the higher percentage of 67 was recorded as Christians while the remaining percentage was for Islamic, Buddhist and Hinduism communities. Equally, the Australian constitution prohibits the government from interfering with people’s freedom of worship. In other words it recognizes other religions regardless of the predominant religion being Christianity (Colson, 2013). This in return impacts heavily on the international tourism. Definitely, foreigners are attracted with such system of governance where the state gives them freedom of worship. This will continuously draw many international foreigners from all spheres of the world, thus creating high income generation as the nation competes favorably in the world tourism industry. There is also likely to be high demand for Australian cultural aspects as foreigners will feel free to move up and down of the country. While Australia has got a strong secular government, Colson (2013) argues that Christian churches have played a vital role in provision of lots of services. They even recognize the non-Christian believers. This gives a clear cut on how foreigners will be handled while in the host country. Multiculturalism Due to mixed cultures in Australia, the country enjoys a variety of foods, faiths and festivals. Since the year 1945 Australia has received more than twenty million people. Special meals based on different traditions and beliefs are prepared in many street stalls and star hotels. For example European flavors are easily available in big hotels. According to OECD (2008), this will attract most people based on their customs. It also strengthens international relations between the host country and the foreigners. It earns a lot for a country to be self sustained in terms of various forms of customs and beliefs. This in effect steams up international relations and as a result positive return is experienced within the tourism industry. Cultural aspects have been beefed up to gain advantage over the growing tourism Industry. Always these will promote positive competition and attraction of tourists into the country. Culture is a major tool for tourism development and the most beneficially of this movement. However, tourism has just assumed the role of developing the destination countries. This follows what is termed as cultural aspects of the host countries (Colson, 2013). Basically, the two need to have the best relationships that will drive the regional attractiveness and competitiveness. This encourages inward investment and promotion of foreigners’ attitude. While in Australia culture is considered in many forms, creative industries have positive relationships with tourism. Tourists have become more involved in sensory consumption of ideologies of some images in particular destinations. This brings along higher revenues for the host countries (Lindberg, 2010). Architecture Australian architecture reveals the English ideas since the first colonies were from England. Since the indigenous building structures were not recognized by the colonies, this translates to negative perception of local Australians and foreigners especially from its colonies. At some point however, it creates positive relationships with international foreigners by drawing them nearer (Pearce, 2011). Building structures are part of people’s way of life though this erodes as time goes by. Following the Australian climate-necessitated adaptation however, American designs have also come into play. In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s architecture actually reveals the Islamic ideologies and concepts for inspiration. It entails a variety of architectural designs than any other country in the Australian peninsula. It also follows the climatic conditions of the country, geography and available resources. That is why most of these building structures appear unique. But above all the architecture of the two destinations has effects on international tourism based on their revelations (Pablos et.al, 2011).For example King Khalid international airport and King Saud University are two striking structures that show how well past and modern Islamic architecture can be combined. Implications culture on International tourism Culture goes along with lots of implications especially on tourism industry. It is one of the most leading income generators and economic developers of various countries. This has been realized through Australia and Saudi Arabia as the destinations of study in this case. The relationship between the country’s culture and tourism dictates its competitiveness and attractiveness. The following are some of the implications of cultural diversity on international tourism. International Relations Most states are able to develop and strengthen their international relations due to the touring persons. This steams up the perception of international communities on the destination states. For example foreigners from the Great Britain enjoy their stay in Australia because of well connected multiculturalism. This fosters good understanding between foreigners and local citizens. However, to some states the situation is different. This is because some countries are confined to strong local cultural aspects that do not allow foreigners to mingle around, hence experiencing difficulties in their international promotions. A case in point is Saudi Arabia whose tough religion does not recognize non-believers. Foreign exchange Tourism’s impact on international tourism is checked via foreign exchange. This involves the capacity at which foreign affiliations are growing in the international communities. For states like Australia, foreigners are given freedom of moving up and down thus encourages higher foreign currencies as opposed to countries like Saudi Arabia which limits foreigners from lots of things based on local cultural diversity. Definitely, those states that are easily accessible will end up growing economically than the otherwise. Tourism as a field has been a major income generator for most countries including Australia and Saudi Arabia (Heath & Wall, 1992). This has always been based on how good culture relates with international communities. The tougher the cultural practice is, the lesser the international tourists. This translates to development based on how culture dictates on tourism, with the presented case study of Australia and Saudi Arabia serving as an example (Sigh et.al, 2003). Infrastructural development In order for tourists to mingle up and down there must be good and passable links to connect one point to the next. Culture has high impacts on development of roads and other forms of infrastructure in destination countries. This is evidenced in most attraction centers like techno-park in Australia. The host countries always strife their best to establish and develop good roads especially to tourist sites to promote accessibility. According to Sharma (2005), where there are more of tourists’ arrivals due to favorable culture within the destination country state, such infrastructure is always very expansive to facilitate movement of the massive tourist number. This is the case with Australia that embraces diverse multicultural aspects as opposed to Saudi Arabia which restricts it culture to the Islam religion. On the other hand, international tourism has got its negative effects on the host states. These may include; Crime is one of deadly challenges brought by tourism sector (Horner & Swarbrooke, 2004).Foreigners seem not to understand the destination country well hence end up being in taters of criminology. It is also steamed up by insecurity cases in the country. For instance there have been heard a lot of murder cases in the Middle East especially Saudi Arabia. Conclusion From the above analysis, it is clearly evident that culture and tourism are the major drivers of competitiveness and attractiveness. Culture in all its forms is likely to feature in the tourism promotion of most destinations. However, other regions have relied on their tradition assets like beach and sun for their income generation and attraction. Destinations are also trying to enhance their attraction centers by building new museums among many others. Australia and Saudi Arabia have been the countries of study hence giving a clear cut of the relationship between international tourism and culture. The dynamic trends of cultural aspects have heavily contributed to economic development of various nations. However, the destination governments should be able to create and implement attractive policies to cater for foreigners and allow them enjoy their stay in the host countries. This will boost the economies of scale. References Allen, R. (2006). The Arabic Literary Heritage: the Development of its Genres and Criticism. Cambridge University Press Abdalla, M. (2013).Islamic Australia? What place is there for Sacred Law in a Secular Land? Colson, M. (2013). Indigenous Australian cultures. Chicago: Heinemann Library. Daher, R. (2007). Tourism in the Middle East: Continuity, change and transformation. Clevedon: Channel View. Heath, E & Wall, G. (1992).Marketing Tourism Destinations. New York: Wiley. Horner, S & Swarbrooke, J. (2004) International Cases in Tourism Management. Boston: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. Lennon, J. J. (2001). 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