Does tourism undermine indigenous cultures or break down barriers?
Our pursuit of the exotic, some say, is turning other cultures into consumer goods. Even independent travel is not immune from criticism, as it brings package tourists in its wake. Sex tourism is seen as indicative of rampant exploitation. Counter arguments say tourism promotes cultural understanding, even supposedly superficial package holidays. Trying to protect indigenous cultures, it’s argued, denies them the benefits of development, treating them as museum pieces to be admired rather than active cultures to be engaged with. Should we travel less? There are few voices making a positive case for travel. Previously, travel was associated with the way social progress afforded free time for individual leisure and even self-improvement. Travel was held to ‘broaden the mind’ and being ‘well travelled’ commanded respect. Now many people present a negative view: we’re ‘addicted to oil’ and our disruptive restlessness undermines community life and threatens the planet. While some commentato
