Pondering ‘Tourism’s Withering Impact’ in Asia
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 03.27.08 | 3:39 PM ET
Denis D. Gray looks at the rise of travel to “places once isolated by conflicts, hostile regimes and ‘off-road’ geography to which only the more intrepid travelers had earlier ventured.”
He continues: “And as Asia’s last little gems, one after another, succumb to tourism’s withering impact, there are truly pangs in my heart—together with a dose of selfish jealousy as for a love one must now share with many.” Among the places he’s talking about: Luang Prabang, Laos; Siem Reap, Cambodia; and Pai, Thailand.
It’s an interesting piece, but here’s another on the subject I liked more: Peter Delevett’s The (Full Moon) Party’s Over.
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Michael Yessis is the cofounder and coeditor-in-chief of World Hum.
Ling 03.28.08 | 12:46 AM ET
You know, its not that so many tourists are visiting these secluded places. It’s the arrogant insensitivity that is so appalling. If the tourists could just show a bit of restraint and acquaint themselves with local customs beforehand, it would be a lot easier for everyone.
Matt 03.28.08 | 10:23 AM ET
What I love here is that everyone is to blame: mindless tourists, idealistic backpackers, corrupt governments, greedy entrepreneurs, Westerners, Easterners, and, of course, the press. In the face of such hopelessness, what can you do?
Or rather: If going to a “new” destination inevitably leads to its destruction (provided it’s cool enough for other people to visit), where the hell are you supposed to go?
HS 03.29.08 | 8:07 PM ET
Actually, the locals are just as much to blame for ruining such historic sites as the wester tourists, bums though many of them are. From what I have seen of the “development” of a number of sacred mountains in China, neither the Chinese tourist authorities nor the Chinese tourists have much taste for the original meaning of these places. It’s a kind of Hello Kitty meets Disney, dotted with a few shrines! Mass travel and tourism definitely have a flip side, if you consider the understanding levels of visitors of all nationalities.
Lauren Nicole 05.09.08 | 4:36 AM ET
People lament the cultural damages that occur with increased tourism but in Alaska we have a very different experience—Americans come up here in hoards just to KILL things ! We call it ‘blood-sport tourism’. It’s not pretty. Anyone considering becoming a professional guide has to choose: Cater to Muscle Heads or Motor Heads. Both vastly different career choices in the field.
Personally I’m an Air Head— just love touring Southeast on my fusion powered sailboat !
Mike Pink 11.05.08 | 7:29 AM ET
It’s a double edged sword, on one side the extra income brought in by tourists/backpackers etc will provide new opportunities for countries/cultures, but the other side will no doubt see the diluting of their culture with the spread of global consumerism, which creates a market for travellers who like the comforts of home while being abroad - e.g. western fastfood, starbucks, and KFC!