Impact of Globalization on International Tourism - Literature review Example

Impact of Globalization on International Tourism Section A: Current Reality Past History of Globalization’s Impact on International Tourism Globalization can be simply referred as a style of international integration, which evolved from the interchange of products, ideas and various aspects of culture all across the globe. This expansion of peripheral over the larger domain has encouraged international tourism, as it has similarly influenced the multiple dimensions of modern society. Notably, the curiosity to explore the different parts of the globe has encouraged the importance of the tourism in the international domain. However, tourism across international borders can be recognized as long as people have started travelling. The effect of globalization has periodically increased the impetus of international travel in a larger extent than it was actually witnessed in the past. It can be noted that the curiosity to explore the unknown has constantly been the main motive of travellers even in the older times. This curiosity, when backed by globalization, has opened-up doors for the travelers to cross miles in search of the unknown; thus, facilitating international tourism (Antonescu & Stock, 2012; Gyr, 2010). The 19th century witnessed an upsurge of the middleclass cultural travels. This introduced a new trend of mass travels; and subsequently, the era of the modernized travel for leisure time outings came into the domain of international tourism. This era of tourism modernization also injected the need to revive the traditional mechanisms, widen the innovation scopes and fuel modern forms of holidays. However, this system of group travels impounded the requirement for innovative skills to reduce the cost of the travelers, making the system more flexible to adjust with the new and continually evolving economic systems. These travel requirements went on with the increase of the intercontinental travels during war and the post war phases. However, the noteworthy boom in tourism sector came with the rising trend of globalization. This phase changed the complete concept of the international tourism and took it to the next level. This new phase of tourism injected the requirement of the post-modern pseudo-events, which the tourists internalize as fun and adventure (Gyr, 2010). 2. The Current Form of Globalization’s Impact on International Tourism The current form of globalization has served as a catalyst for tourism to grow at an extensive rate. Economic development of a country is widely visible from the development of international trade wherein the influence of globalization can be broadly observed as the positive effect of cultural and political developments. This development also fascinated the interests of tourism and increased the curiosity of the people to travel to new countries. However, a parallel observation may apparently reveal that development in the tourism sector, at the international level, could only be possible due to the development of the transport facilities. These developments of the transport facilities at the international domain helped in establishing the success of international tourism simultaneously (Deligny, 2013). To be precise, the positive growth of economy that has been prominent with the development of international tourism has also imposed substantial effects on the resources of the countries. Considering the fact that the countries can earn huge benefits from international tourism, promoting international tourism has certainly emerged as a major area of concern for nations from around the world, irrespective of their size or global ranking. It is noteworthy in this context that both negative and positive effects have been apparent in the current day phenomenon of international tourism. For instance, nations focusing on the development of more and more tourist attraction witness rising risks for financial crisis being depended on international trade and foreign funds to an extent. Such risks impose considerable effects on the financial development and in turn, dampen the economic growth of the country, creating an obstruction for the promotion of international tourism (Lew et al., 2014). However, concerning the contrary, irrespective of all the negative effects it has been observed that international tourism has evolved due to the effects of globalization and have boosted international trade thereon. International tourism has also encouraged the mobilizing labor globally and has contributed towards creating maximum employment opportunities as well, illustrating one of its major positive impressions on modern economies (Dwyer, 2013). Section B: Defining the Challenge 1. Challenges Facing International Tourism from Globalization Even though globalization has brought massive diversification to the tourism industry, it is obviously not free from challenges. Differences between the economies of the countries may pose a threat that some countries will not be able to compete at the global domain. This may also envisage that the international companies involved in trade in the developing or the underdeveloped countries could stress major impacts on the policies of the government of the country. Notably, the fact that the countries have varied legal framework could also pretense a threat on the international trade and development (Brooks et al., n.d.). Apparently, international tourism has served as a major source of economic development for the developing countries, which has utilized this era of globalization in international tourism to eradicate their major economic problems. However, this development also poses a major threat that the resources of the developing countries could be utilized to the maximum extent to rejuvenate their tourist attractiveness (Nkurayija, 2011). Another challenge majorly posed by the environmental concerns prevailing at different extents between nations engaged with each other through international tourism. Illustratively, challenges ignited due to the environmental concerns that are not predictive, imposes severe adverse effects on international tourism (OECD, 2008). International tourism has always patronized the cross-cultural religion, culture and art but challenges faced in regards of religious fundamentalism can also be observed in the modern phenomenon. It is in this context that the mass migration trend of national culture and dynamic international cultures as well as religions may give rise to religious turbulence and intolerance. The threat that may cause national security breach may also involve spread of nuclear weapon capabilities and international terrorism posing challenges for the global economy overall and therefore, demanding intervention from international organizations, making the entire system a complex one (Brooks et al., n.d.). The other challenges facing international tourism involve risks associated with political turmoil that the country faces. Since, international tourism earns a huge amount of the foreign exchange, the main focus of the country shifts to the promotion of international tourism, and as a consequence, the domestic tourism sector dampens gradually. Suggestively, cost-benefit analysis should be conducted to mitigate the negative impacts laid by international tourism on the economic development of the country. The issues and challenges mainly observed can however be mitigated efficiently through proper observation and better understanding (Theobald, 2005). Section C: The Current Situation 1. Advantages and Disadvantages Reaped by International Tourism From Globalization Impact Globalization has become an umbrella term when referring to the interchange and intervention taking place between the economic, socio- cultural, political and technological changes geared by the interdependence and integration among nations. However, this intervention can be broadly observed studying the international business and tourism, which has actually changed the rigidity and had precipitated the national boundaries. Through the process of international tourism, the long established linkage between the distant areas of the globe has also developed as well as promoted international trade in the national dimensions. This shrinkage of the global world into a common society through international tourism evolved fundamentally due to the fact that globalization has eradicated distances of the pleasure periphery. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the international tourism has removed trade barriers between nations and promoted businesses as well (Mpofu, 2009). It can thus be asserted that in the modern phenomenon, globalization and international tourism are strongly interrelated. Stating precisely, globalization contributes to the progression of the tourism sector and tourism in turn can foster and spread the movement of globalization. This can be illustrated with examples from the spread of technology and knowledge fostering growth of international tourism that has become prominent through globalization. Undoubtedly, one of the key essences of international tourism is technology. Again, the impact of globalization has positively affected the infrastructural growth of the nation through the development of technologies to promote international tourism. Another benefit that can be observed in this regard is the generation of employment at the local markets. Notably, with the promotion of international tourism in the global market, chances of investment increases in manifold, which in turn generates trade and increases scope for capital investments (Puthikar, n.d.). However, parallel observation to the phenomenon would reveal that the local investor of developing countries usually has limited resources, which act as a backlog when competing at the global domain. The disadvantages that the developing countries face exhibit their limited resources, which block their growth at the global market and limit the promotion of international trade substantially. It can also be observed that the migration of diverse culture into the nation can instigate conflicts. Even though with scarce resources, developing countries it can be observed to make maximum utilization of those available to promote and attract international tourism that can in turn lead to a financial crisis of the country at the international level. Again, for countries depending on agriculture and other small scale industries, dissemination to promote international tourism at the global arena becomes a challenge due to the lack of resources to meet the international market demands. Considering the development of the international tourism industry it can be argued that in-spite of having several disadvantages, this sector has been one of the major contributors to economic development of many nations (Moekotte & Freye, 2008; Vaugeois, n.d.). 2. Future Implications of Globalization on International Tourism The international tourism sector exhibits an ever expanding industry assuring wider scopes of development. However, due to the larger domain of activities, the impacts caused by international tourism can be categorized under both positive and negative sections. To be noted in this regards, globalization of international trade serves as the catalyst for job creation. In future, the implication of tourism has been witnessed to boost the necessity of service providers, which would in future continue generating jobs for people having superior skill sets. The increase in international tourism would further open doors for international trade and commerce as well, facilitating innovation and overall development within the global economy. This linkage with the global domain will ensure better economic development and growth. Furthermore, the tourism industry in the global arena has huge technicalities involved. Thus, it can be forecasted that in order to promote international trade, participant countries would need to develop their technical knowhow, which would in turn enhance the growth of knowledge management in the nation (Dwyer, n.d.; Sugiyarto et al., n.d.). However, it could be counter argued that the increase in international trade could lead to a major threat to the non-renewable resources wherein the increased number of transportation could be a reason for environmental degradation. It is worth mentioning in this context that social effects predict the possible breakdown of values and degradation of cultural sites. Illustratively, in various continents, indigenous people have to face major challenges due to international tourism. On a brighter note, the responses of the population towards globalization are mostly positive. Considering the fact that positive and negative impacts of globalization will be persistent in future, the prosperity of international tourism may continue steadily. Thus, observing the impending effects of globalization it can be summed up that international tourism will have a positive growth in the future also (Dwyer, n.d.). References Antonescu, A. & Stock, M. (2012). Reconstructing the globalisation of tourism: a geo-historical perspective. Retrieved from http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/71/68/24/PDF/Stock_Antonescu_tourism_history_2012.pdf Brooks, I., Weatherston, J., & Wilkinson, G. (n.d.). Globalisation, challenges and changes. Retrieved from http://catalogue.pearsoned.co.uk/assets/hip/gb/hip_gb_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/Brooksch9.pdf Deligny, M. U. (2013). Globalization and tourism sector. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/meltemlaleunal/globalization-and-tourism-sector Dwyer, M. L., 2013. Globalization of tourism: drivers and outcomes. L’Institut de Recherche et d’Etudes Supérieures du Tourisme (IREST), 3-22. Dwyer, L. (n.d.). Globalization of tourism: drivers and outcomes. 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National University of Rwanda, pp. 1-17 OECD. (2008). The tourism economy and globalisation: strategic issues and policies. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/site/cfehltc2008/41373942.pdf Theobald, W. F. (2005). Global Tourism. USA: Elsevier Inc. Puthikar, K. (n.d.). Globalization, tourism and Cambodia: the domino effects. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCIQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ajol.info%2Findex.php%2Fjbas%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F57346%2F45727&ei=7aeeU6G5N8yyuATiloB4&usg=AFQjCNGiWN96MwJqb19FmaLPbzJqoKxHfg&sig2=WDuuDO94SIKL_YrtpwWAhA&bvm=bv.68911936,d.c2E Sugiyarto, G., Blake, A. & Sinclair, M. T. (n.d.). Tourism and trade liberalisation in the Indonesian economy. Economic Impact of Tourism and Globalisation in Indonesia, 5-10. Vaugeois, N. (n.d.). Tourism in developing countries: refining a useful tool for economic development. 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