Should cultural tourism be limited to luxury tourists?

It is indeed a provocative question with uncomfortable answers. By its very nature, cultural tourism is potentially the most beneficial form of tourism toward understanding cultural differences and consequently promote social harmony. So it should be encouraged and facilitated to reach the largest audience. That is the bright side of the idea. The downside of cultural tourism is the “observer effect” where the subjects are affected by the mere presence of the observers. As cultural tourism become increasingly popular so does the increasing effect on the culture being observed altering its nature and diminishing its value.

The price of cultural tourism

Angkor Wat 1880.

The attraction of cultural tourism is its uniqueness and, most often, its scarcity. It is precisely because a historical monument or a cultural tradition is unique and only found in one place that cultural tourism exist: one must go there to experience the culture. Unlike attraction parks that can be replicated anywhere to meet market demand and spread the traffic, cultural destinations cannot duplicate themselves and cannot expand without compromising or diluting some aspects of their cultural value. Where is the fair and ethical line between preserving virgin state and meeting demand?

The price of cultural tourism

Angkor Wat 1880.

The attraction of cultural tourism is its uniqueness and, most often, its scarcity. It is precisely because a historical monument or a cultural tradition is unique and only found in one place that cultural tourism exist: one must go there to experience the culture. Unlike attraction parks that can be replicated anywhere to meet market demand and spread the traffic, cultural destinations cannot duplicate themselves and cannot expand without compromising or diluting some aspects of their cultural value. Where is the fair and ethical line between preserving virgin state and meeting demand?