The native tourist: mass tourism within developing countries by KRISHNA G. GHIMIRE (ed.). (London: Earthscan, for United Nation's Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), 2001, pp. xi+234)

✍ Scribed by Josaphat P. Kweka

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 31 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0954-1748
• DOI: 10.1002/jid.894

✦ Synopsis

Tourism is fast becoming a vehicle for social and economic development in developing countries (LDCs). Much empirical literature on the developmental role of tourism and evidence for governments' support for its development has focused exclusively on international tourism, thus limiting knowledge on the contribution of domestic tourism in LDCs. This is because of increasing recognition of international tourism as a quick (and seemingly cheap) source of the foreign exchange in these economies. However, domestic tourism (hereinafter DT) has a role in the process of social and economic development, not only because of its potential to generate income/employment and enhance income distribution, but also it is instrumental in building national cohesion and social harmony. DT has unique characteristics compared to international tourism. It is less detrimental to the balance of payments (BOP) as demand for imported goods (e.g. in hotels and restaurants) is lower, and it is less susceptible to international political and economic instability. The ensuing question is whether LDCs have developed a sizeable DT market to be able to tap its advantages.

In this book, Krishna Ghimire brings together a number of important issues underpinning the development and importance of DT in developing countries. The chief aim of the book is to increase knowledge and debate about the socio-economic, cultural, political and economic implications of the rise in DT in developing countries. The book is organised in eight chapters each detailing various dimensions and case studies of DT in seven developing countries. Issues raised include the evolution of DT, its growth, impacts and supportive public policies.

Chapter one provides a broad overview to place DT in context. Chapter two provides evidence for, and limitations of, the growth of DT in Mexico. It is observed that DT has grown substantially, but its neglect by government is likely to exacerbate its potential negative consequences (such as environmental and cultural degradation) and calls for a more sustainable social and communitybased tourism. Chapter three focuses on the integration of local communities with high involvement of government institutions in ameliorating the negative impacts of domestic and regional tourism in Brazil. Chapter 4 analyses the economic role of DT whose growth in China is attributed to the introduction of workers rights. It is rightly noted that DT is individual and seldom organised, attributes that limit accurate measurement of the size and impact of DT. Economic impact of DT is admittedly rooted in the linkage between tourism and other mainstream sectors of the Chinese economy. Chapter 5 points at inconsistencies in national tourism policies in Thailand and its exclusive focus on the demand at the expense of supply side of DT.

Chapter six addresses the booming DT in the post-Apartheid South Africa and its role in the reconciliation process by exposing people to different regions or cultures in the country. Finally, Chapter 8 raises the issue of cultural impact of domestic and regional tourism, particularly the vulnerability and trade-off between urban and rural traditions in India. The major motivations for DT are enumerated as being religious pilgrimages, festivals and commercial activities, and that tourism significantly enhanced national integration and economic development.

As the book demonstrates, domestic tourists outnumber international tourists in most developing countries. Such a conclusion is, however, subject to the particular definition and methods used to measure DT. Statistical inaccuracy may arise depending on where and how one collects information. If data are collected at the arrival point (in this case, hotels and other accommodations), one is likely to miss tourists staying with relatives and friends. Data collected using household surveys are likely to be more accurate. The analysis of the magnitude of DT should be guided by a definitive conceptual framework that takes into account the specific socio-economic circumstances of LDCs.