1. How is tourism a cultural product? In other words, what beliefs do you think
ID: 81733 • Letter: 1
Question
1. How is tourism a cultural product? In other words, what beliefs do you think provide motivation for tourism and for particular touristic experiences?
2. What do the tourists think about their hosts? Would you say that the tourists make an attempt to understand the traditions of the Mursi that lead to this sort of body modification? Why or why not?
3. What do the Mursi women think about the tourists?
4. Can you describe any of the cultural impacts of tourism? What happens when: a) the traditions of the Mursi women are made a tourist commodity (i.e. charges are made per photo taken?); b) competition for earnings affects the way in which the women decorate themselves; c) do you think that what the tourists are recording is an “authentic” representation of culture such as an anthropologist would seek to witness/record? Why or why not
Explanation / Answer
(1) How is tourism a cultural product?
Tourism is a cultural product because the movement of persons to a certain cultural attraction away from their normal place of residence will help them gather new information and experiences to satisfy their cultural needs. Cultural tourism motivates people to identify the lifestyle of the people in various geographical areas, the history of people, their art, architecture, religion, and other elements that helped shape their culture.
(2) What do the tourists think about their hosts? Would you say that the tourists make an attempt to understand the traditions of the Mursi that lead to this sort of body modification? Why or why not?
Certain tourists think well about their hosts when they extend good hospitality and ambience during their tour. The Mursi women, from Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia are known for placing large plates in their lower lips and wearing enormous, richly decorated earrings and they are the spots for tourist attraction. However, certain exagerations are done by these women to attract more visitors or tourists for making money.
(3) What do the Mursi women think about the tourists?
The Mursi women intend to make more money from the visitors so they start embellishing their costumes and to exaggerate their adornments.
(4) Can you describe any of the cultural impacts of tourism?
Just for the sake of money, the Mursi women started making decorations for the touristic show, without any meaning related to their original habits, cultures, or lifestyle. This made a huge impact on their culture and makes their originality in vain.
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