Title: A Study of the Gendered Perception of Tourism in Coastal Goa (India)
Abstract: ABSTRACTThis paper examines the impact of tourism on the moral and family values, culture, crime levels, benefits and the adverse effects of tourism and tourism related businesses on the locals in the coastal village of Cavelossim, Goa (India). The study involved a sample of 232 households. Using Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis H test, it was found that across gender there was a significant difference in the perceived impact of tourism on family values. Male and female household heads collectively believed that the most popular benefit of tourism was an increase in income and the most severe adverse effect was rise in the prices of food. However, as compared to females, more male household heads perceived that the local economy was not stimulated by tourism and that the government was the major beneficiary of tourism activity. The most popular tourism related business was renting of rooms. The paper concludes with the plea that since it is the locals who are primarily affected by tourism activities, stakeholders need to consider their views and perceptions such that while accommodating and entertaining tourists, there is minimal intrusion and destruction to the host community.Keywords: culture, economic, family, moral, psycho-social, tourism.INTRODUCTION:International tourism is one of the most rapidly expanding links between the advanced nations and the underdeveloped world (Wood, 1980). The World Tourism Organization defines tourism as 'activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited' (Dutta, 2011, 3). Though the popular global activity is not only associated with trans-national travel, it involves travel within the same country as well.The stay of tourists in a destination area is often only for a short period of time. However, their interaction with the host communities can considerably impact the psychological, social and economic lives of the people therein. Tourists leave their imprint either inadvertently or intentionally, and to differing degrees, not only on the physical and cultural landscape, but also on the social and cultural life of the inhabitants of many of the world's communities they visit (Kariel and Kariel, 1982).Over the years tourism researchers have documented positive as well as negative outcomes of tourism on a host community, some of which are as follows:A] Positive Impact of Tourism: Tourism can bring many social and economic benefits, particularly to developing countries. The development of tourism promotes cultural activities and brings about improvements in community services including recreation. Inskeep (1991) and Liu & Var (1986) noted that tourism promotes restoration and protection of architectural and historical sites in the host community (in Tatoglu et al. n.d., 747). The interest of tourists in the traditional ceremonies of the local people helps renew and revive the host culture. According to Driver et al (1991) some positive socio-cultural impacts of tourism include the development of stronger family bonds, the appreciation for ones cultural identity, a firmer sense of ethnic identity and an increased understanding and tolerance of others. According to Makan (2006, 58), through the encounters promoted by tourism locals meet people with different beliefs and perspectives. These encounters can awaken the senses and heighten awareness of one's milieu. Often it is due to tourism people develop a higher tolerance for cultures apart from their own.The tourism industry generates substantial economic benefits to both, the host country as well as the tourists' home country. Especially in developing countries, one of the primary motivations for a region to promote itself as a tourist destination is the expected economic improvement and regional development. …
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 4
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