Valene L. Smith

Tourism alternatives: potentials and problems in the development of tourism.

INTRODUCTION: The Emergence of Alternative Forms of Tourism PART 1 - THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES: Alternative Tourism: Concepts, Classifications and Questions Making the Alternative Sustainable: Lessons from Development for Tourism PART 2 - CASE STUDIES: Tourism as an Element in Sustainable Development Tourism by Train: Its Role in Alternative Tourism Tourism Alternatives in an Era of Global Climatic Change.

War and tourism: An American ethnography.

Abstract War is a major modern security issue, distinguished from crime and terrorism by its deep societal penetration and long-term consequences. As an important cultural time-marker, populations segment their history in three phases, “before the war”, “during the war” and “after the war”. The interrelationships between war and tourism have been minimally investigated, but the literature to date indicates that war negatively affects tourism. This ethnography examines the sequential development of the United States tourism from World War I to the present, and the impact of World War II in laying the foundations for modern mass and charter tourism. The data suggest that war stimulates promotional, emotional, military and political tourism, and that war-related tourism attractions are the largest single category known.

Tourism as an Anthropological Subject [and Comments and Reply]

This paper provides a critical evaluationof the growing number of anthropologically oriented studies of tourism and proposes a conceptual framework for future studies. A cross-culturally viable definition of tourism is offered. This definition, which conceives of the tourist as a person at leisure who travels and of tourism as a variety of leisure activity, suggest a transactional view of tourism that involves an encounter between tourist-generating and host societies. Such an encounter may be conceived of as a process or a system. Following this definition, it is possible ot identify tourism at all levels of sociocultural complexity. At present it does not seem possible to discover the causes of tourism, but one can begin to account for intra-or intersocietal touristic variability. Anthropological consideration of this latter is not well developed. Rather, interest has been centered on the consequences of tourism for host societies, particularly in the developing world. So far, thought, these studies have not demonstrated much methodological or theoretical sophistication. Though some variety of exchange theory may ultimately prove the best way of organizing an overview of the touristic process or system, less ambitious perspectives would seem to be, for the moment, indicated.

Polish pilgrim-tourists.

Abstract Pilgrimage traditions probably predate Christianity in Poland (966 A.D.), and have been shaped by prevailing political, social, and economic conditions, as well as religious belief. International shrines, such as Czestochowa, now attract four to five million visitors per year and are unique even to Christianity; visits to them are primarily undertaken on foot by parish youths and may involve hundreds of kilometers of travel. Because of World War II damage and subsequent Soviet repression, virtually no tourist infrastructure exists. Local residents are, thus, deprived the opportunity of economically benefiting from the pilgrimage tourist phenomenon.

Women the taste-makers in tourism

Abstract Using data derived from a statistical sample as well as interviews, women are the taste-makers of American tourism because they dominate in the decision-making process. Culturally-specific motivations, generated within a narrowly-defined home community, prompt travel to “in” destinations and the traveler later gains social approval at home for having been to a currently-popular vacation center. The implications for market research suggest that to attract American tourism, the destination must be appealing to American women, and it must be marketed through, channels that American women see and/or read.

Anthropology and tourism: A science-industry evaluation

Abstract The anthropological contribution to touristic study derives from this disciplines holistic perception of human culture and its comparative methodology. Renewed use of the “national character” approach, applying traditional field methods to industrial societies, would serve to identify elements stimulating tourism in the donor area and the needs within the recipient region. A tourist region is defined as a marketable destination with the surrounding support zones to supply requisite visitor services. The relationship between tourism and regional development needs to be assessed in terms of the economy theory of multiplier effect, as money, goods, services and people flow between the regional core and its support zones. Models illustrate internal development as well as donor-recipient relations. Science and industry share common goals in development and management of tourism, noted by efforts to educate the decision-makers as well as the tourist.

California's highway 89: A regional tourism model

Abstract This paper documents the process used to develop a marketing plan for a number of small rural communities in Northeastern California. Individually each town lacked sufficient financial resources to reach urban tourism markets but by unifying with the theme Highway 89: Californias scenic mountain route, the area could be promoted as a regional tourism destination. Applying anthropological field methods to analyze “power,” “pay-offs,” and “trade-offs” provided early clues to community structure. The formation of a regional Tourism Council proved effective in the development of local leadership and on-going community participation. Sustained effort provided by a grant-funded clearinghouse produced measurable results in attracting new tourism to the area.

Tourism and culture change: A symposium

Abstract The paper summarizes seven articles presented at the 1975 meetings of the American Anthropological Association in San Francisco, in a symposium entitled Tourism and Culture Change. Three main foci of research are discussed: The Traveler per se; the diverse impacts of tourism upon cultures in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), the island of Myconos (Greece) and among the Mamainde Indians (Mato Grosso, Brazil); and the role and administration of the Polynesian Cultural Center (Hawaii) as an “ethnic model” and as a laboratory of cultural conservation.

Geographical implications of 'drifter' tourism, Boracay, Philippines.

Modern “drifter” tourism was first identified in the 1960s with the drug-cult “hippies” whose overland travels to Nepal left a socially disruptive trail. In the 1980s an affluent itinerant young population from industrialized countries moves from one tropical beach to the next-Ceylon, Pattaya (Thailand), Mombasa, Boracay-leaving behind prostitution, alcoholism, juvenile crime and narcotics. The geographical consequences of their presence in Boracay-in terms of pollution of the groundwater table, endemic disease, unplanned resort construction and inadequate waste disposal-are examined. Unless politically controlled, it is predictable these “drifters”, having ruined one island, will move on to another, perpetuating future land use problems.

`Branding´Branson (Missouri, USA) World´s Largest Live Indoor Entertainment Centre

Branson, a community of 8,000 permanent inhabitants, situated on the hilly Ozark Plateau of southwestern Missouri, in southerly mid-central USA, is an anomaly. Most world-famous music centres develop in cities with large government- supported venues. In Branson, with 60,000 seats and over 70 live shows per day, most theatres are performer-owned. In the past half century Branson has evolved from an early hunting-fishing tourism area into its acknowledged role as the capital of Country music. Confronted with changing tourist ages and interests, from Depression-Era senior citizens to middle-aged baby boomers, Branson is developing a new upscale image and, by ‘branding’ their name, seeks to maintain their product: good, clean fun.