Tourism impacts can be seen in three sectors, economic, social and environmental. Generally, economic, social and environmental. Generally, economic impacts are regarded as positive, i.e. broadening and diversifying the economic base, providing tax revenues, providing employment etc. social and environment impacts are considered negative, i.e. degradation, congestion, over crowding, pollution etc. including residents tolerance levels.1 True benefits of tourism can only be appreciated on a broad basis which include not only economic aspects but also social and cultural aspects. A major phenomenon of this nature has far-reaching implications both in the short term and in the long run.
Tamil Nadu is a unique state in several aspects and more specially from the tourism point of view. Tamil Nadu has to offer something for all types of tourists viz. literate, illiterate, haves and have-nots. Tourists belong to both the gender, different age groups and all fragments of society, In view of this fascination, tourists visit
Tamil Nadu throughout the year. The domestic tourists show keen interest in the beaches, waterfalls, temples, temple festivals etc and they usually wind up their tour on a single day or draw up their itinerary to cover the weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
The National tourists i.e. tourists drawn from all other states (except Tamil Nadu) especially from North India would like to explore Tamil Nadu in a more detailed manner and they usually visit the Zoological parks, Wild life sanctuaries, Pilgrimage centres, Amusement parks, Shopping centres etc. Their visit to Tamil Nadu lasts for a week as they combine two weekends. The tourists from abroad, on the other hand are interested in visiting Historical monuments, Heritage sites, Ecological sites, Rural tourist centres etc. the foreign tourists spend 15 to 30 days in India. Out of this, they do not hesitate to spend even upto a week in Tamil Nadu.3
The immense tourist wealth of Tamil Nadu as explained above is undoubtedly the greatest asset of Tamil Nadu. The tourist wealth, be it natural or Man made alone cannot be considered as a complete product to attract tourists.4 Tourism development at both the national and international levels can make positive contributions to a nation provided the supply is well planned and of high standard, protects the cultural heritage, values of the place and people simultaneously with natural, social and human development. It indirectly indicates that in no way the carrying capacity of a particular tourist site / place should be over utilized and over stressed.
Socio-Cultural Impacts
Tourist can bring benefits as wall as problems to the local society thereby affecting the cultural pattern. The socio-cultural impacts are major considerations in developing tourism in many places. These impacts can prove to be critical in countries like India and states such as Tamil Nadu that have long and established social and cultural traditions.5
Socio-Cultural Benefits
Tourism can yield positive results provided it satisfies the requirements of sustainable eco-development and is managed scientifically and gainfully. Socio-cultural benefits include the following:6
(i) Cross-cultural interactions resulting from tourism catalyze and improve the living standards of people by way of improved provisions and / or access to facilities and infrastructure. Tourism helps provide gainful employment and value addition thereby enhancing the living standard of people.7
(ii) The historical and cultural patterns of Carnatic music, dance, drama, dress, art and craft, customs, ceremonies, life styles traditional economic activities and architectural styles of the state are important attractions to tourists. Tourism helps no only continue with age – old cultural and traditions but also provides local inhabitants with increased options and means for earning their livelihood and value addition by way of exhibiting their culture, art and craft etc., and performing dance, drama and other arts.8
(iii) Historical monuments and buildings of excellence including religious buildings – museums, courts, cathedral, forts etc: have been a big tourist attraction. Tourism helps develop and maintain such monuments from the entry fee, camera fee, parking fee, and so on.
(iv) Tourism renews the sense of pride for local inhabitants in their culture when it is appreciated by outsiders and foreigners.9
Socio-Cultural Problems
Tourism, simultaneously with offering benefits, poses socio-cultural problems if environmental, ecological, and sustainability aspects of development are not attended to some of the problems are10
(i) Overcrowding by tourists and loss of convenience for residents leads to resentment and sense of hostility toward tourism. During the peak seasons, physical and social infrastructure including restaurants, shopping, shipping and transportation facilities become overcrowded and the local inhabitants are left to face with the inconvenience.
(ii) Cultural degradation an lessening of a sense of cultural identity – Deterioration of important heritage and historical monuments and beaches as a result of overuse by tourists.11
(iii) Demonstration effect on residents, especially young people imitating the tourists in terms of behaviour and dressing that will adversely affect the culture of the state. Misunderstanding and conflicts between tourists and the local people may arise out of language, culture and custom clashes.
(iv) Social problems of drug abuse, excessive alcoholism, crime and prostitution may increase by increase in tourist flow.12
Prevention of Problems
As a matter of policy, tourism should be developed gradually over time so that the society can adapt it, get educated, participate and enjoy the change. Local people should be made to participate in planning and development of tourism so that they can bring new ideas, support and influence the decisions, and in turn be a part of it. Following are some of the measures for control of socio-economic impacts.13
(i) conserve the art and culture of the state including dance, music, drama, craft, and dress. These should not be allowed to deteriorate by way of presentation and commercialisation.
(ii) Preserving the existing distinctive local architectural styles should be the focus, simultaneously with encouraging the development of modern tourist facilities and infrastructure.14
(iii) Ensure a convenient access of local inhabitants to places of tourist attractions, amenities and facilities without bias.
(iv) Provide inexpensive or subsidized facilities for local residents to use. Residents may be allowed to pay lower admission fees to attraction features than those paid by foreign tourists.15
(v) Public awareness programmes about tourism may be organised, utilising radio, television, newspapers, magazines and public meetings to compact agitation by NGOs against tourism.
(vi) Inform tourists about the local society – its customs, dress codes, acceptable behaviour in religious and other places, courtesies to observe in taking photographs, tipping policies, and any local problems.
(vii) Train employees to work in tourism effectively, including, language and social sensitivity training where needed.
(viii) Apply strict control on drugs, crime and prostitution.16
Tours both short and long are an integral part of modern living. With their beneficial contributions, tours and tourism have strengthened the popular proverb, “Man does not live with bread alone”. Tourism provides a lot of economic benefits through employment opportunities and earning foreign enchange. Further the benefits include social, cultural, historical and even political gains. They have a high rate of proliferation. The present condition and environment have changed largely to facilitate tourism. Tourism is the only industry having many matchless benefits at comparatively low costs with minimum human extortion.
– D. GAYATHRI, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of History, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar – 608 002.
Endnotes
- Kunal Chattopadhyay, Economic Impact of Tourism Development (An Indian Experience), Delhi, 1995, p.3.
- J.K. Sharma, Tourism and Development (Design for Ecological Sustainbility) New Delhi, 2000, p. 40.
- Lavkush Mishra, Cultural Tourism in India, New Delhi, 1999, p. 182.
- D.S. Bhardwaj, Manjula Chaudhary, Contemporary Issues in Tourism, Mumbai, 1997, p. 5.
- S.P. Gupta and Krishna Lal, Tourism Museums and Monuments in India, New Delhi, 1973, p. 6.
- Nirmal Kumar, Tourism and Economic Development, New Delhi, 1996, pp. 11-16.
- P.S. Gill, Tourism Economic and Social Development, New Delhi, 1996, p. 30.
- W.C. Gartner and D.W. Lime, Trends in Outdoor Recreation, Leisure and Tourism, London, 2000, pp. 265-268.
- C. Robert, The Economic and Social Impacts of International Tourism on Developing Countries, London, 1979, pp. 3-7.
- Report on 20 Years Perspective Tourism Plan for the State of Tamil Nadu, Department of Tourism, Government of India, New Delhi, March, 2003.
- Praveen Sethi, Tourism, the Next Generation, New Delhi, 1999, p. 28.
- Yashodhara Jain, Tourism Development (Problems and Prospects), New Delhi, 1998, pp. 91-93.
- Manual Under Right to Information Act 2005, Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 2006.
- B.S. Badan, Impact of Tourism in South India, New Delhi, 1997, p. 72.
- Ram Acharya, Tourism and Cultural Heritage of India, Jaipur, 1980, pp. 1-3.
- M. Shanthakumari, “Tourism its Plight and Pangs in Tamil Nadu”, Proceeding of 20th Annual Session, South Indian History Congress, Warangal, 2000, p. 349.