When Cultures Meet

There are many unintended consequence when two cultures meet. In the case of tourism, the interaction can be either positive or negative. Although it is known to help economically, that is not always the case. Countries like the bahamas earn fifty percent of their gross national product through tourism, but larger industrialized countries depend on tourism much less. Tourism is a low-wage industry that exploits poor native people for the benefit of a small wealthy population who actually have the means to travel.

When cultures meet may also have a positive cost benefit. Historic monuments, homes and gardens do well with more visitors. Organizations like Wildlife foundation have helped to save animals and lifestyles all over the world. Also, international travelers can take interest and expose injustices in countries that do not have freedom of speech and access to the world media, allowing informed people to make changes to help the indigenous people of a specific area.

When both sides of the, "when cultures meet" issue are reviewed, we are able to make a wiser decision on the effects of tourism and choices on the value of our own desire to travel to new places. But ultimately, the effects of tourism are summed up by Dr. Koson Srisang, former executive secretary of the coalition, tourism as currently practiced, when he stated "does not benefit the majority of people. Instead it exploits them, pollutes the environment, destroys the ecosystem, bastardises the culture, robs people of their traditional values and ways of life and subjugates women and children in the abject slavery of prostitution.... [It] epitomizes the present unjust world economic order where the few who control wealth and power dictate the terms."