Traveling exposes us to different ways of life and gives us countless opportunities to learn about other cultures. But are some experiences manufactured purely for tourism? And, if so, is that ok?
Photo © Ingolfur Bjargmundsson
Getting under the skin of the places we visit is an essential part of a rewarding travel experience. But how do you know when you are experiencing the real thing or something put on for tourists? And, does that matter?
With more of us traveling than ever before, the “Disneyfication" of tourism means we inevitably tread the same paths, go on the same tours and take a selfie in front of the same view. As a result, the quest for the authentic, the unique and the original is in demand.
So, while returning home with a tale no one else can match is important to us, what this means for a community should also be a consideration. As a responsible traveler, you need to ask yourself, is this cultural experience – the traditional dance, the coming of age ceremony, the cooking demonstration – helping to keep cultures alive or are the customs of the local people being treated like inauthentic but entertaining Disney experiences?
What is a manufactured cultural experience?
A manufactured cultural experience is one that only exists for tourists, rather than reflecting the way a community or culture really live or have lived. Christian Wolters from TourRadar recalls a show that had authentic origins but was ruined by artificiality. "I experienced a desert belly dance show outside Dubai, which felt more like a Disney resort show,” he explains. “The majority of visitors were happy as the lack of authenticity escaped them. Clearly this activity only existed for the tourists."
To learn about the relevance of a cultural experience, do your research. Read reviews and customer comments, ask the tour operator questions; is it run by locals, where do the profits from the experience go, have the local people been consulted in the creation of this activity, and is the experience respectful?
Helen Abramson from Rough Guides has other suggestions: "Ask yourself what you want to get out of the experience – is it just to see people, or to meet them? To take something from them, or to share something with them?
“Find out about the community you are visiting; who are they, what is their history as well as their current situation? Will visiting them be safe and enjoyable for both them and you?"
Would it be this way without tourists?
It’s a question for the tour operator, but you also have to consider if this matters. Ana Ines Figueroa of Adventure & Landscapes says it depends on the nature of the experience. "If a ritual is sacred, it should be private," she says, "and if it’s public, it should be performed only on the proper date, circumstance or place. What is sacred should not be on sale, or expected to be, simply because it is interesting."
Rituals and other cultural experiences offered as entertainment, or as a snapshot of a culture’s history, still have their place. Cultures aren’t static and to expect a group to keep dressing in a certain way or performing traditional songs to suit the expectation of travelers is wrong; all cultures need to evolve. The Maori people of New Zealand don’t customarily perform the haka, which was traditionally used by warriors before a battle, but it has become commonplace at rugby games.
Obviously, any experiences that are exploiting or abusing people and animals should be avoided and reported.
Watching vs. participating
Are you observing or taking part? Most commonly, you’ll be a spectator at local events; a dance, a race, a performance, but there may opportunities to participate, too. If such opportunities do present themselves, make sure you are invited by a local community member, and act respectfully, in accordance with social rules and traditions.
"Guests will always be guests," says Bannikin’s Natasha Martin. "Travelers are, for the most part, watching another culture, though they may have the chance to participate in a ritual."
"I would encourage tourists to consider leaving the camera behind. Sometimes capturing the experience also acts as a way of putting a wall between the visitor and the host/guide."
Keeping the culture alive or just for display?
As cultures evolve, languages, customs and rituals can become a thing of the past. Being able to preserve these, even if only for visitors, is important. "If visits from tourists are handled sensitively, in places where traditions are dwindling and in danger of dying out," says Abramson, "real engagement and sharing of knowledge enable locals to play an active role in maintaining their heritage."
Do you want to experience a culture as it is now, or as it was? Because a ritual or tradition is old, does that make it more important than the way people live today? Natasha Martin from Bannikin prefers to live in the now. "I’ve often found that experiencing ‘modern culture’ to be a much more interesting experience than what has been referred to as ‘frozen culture’ – cultural experiences that tourism boards and operators promote, but may not actually exist anymore."
Being invited to join in vs. paying for the experience
Joining in a game of football with a group of locals or being invited to a local wedding are fantastic ways to meet people and experience their culture, while experiences you pay for might be less authentic but still worthwhile. Figueroa asks a good question: "Would you act differently when you invite friends for dinner versus having paying guests you don’t know come for a meal at your home?"
Who is benefitting?
"Cultural experiences are educational (as is all travel!)," says Martin. "I believe that if the exchange is genuine, both sides stand to benefit and learn."
If you do the right research and find travel with a reputable company and guide, the right tour or walk will benefit both you as the traveler and the local providing the service, through an exchange of ideas, customs and social interaction.
What would happen if the cultural tours stopped?
The biggest impact to communities who rely on tourists would be financial. Did they turn to tourism in the first place due a change in circumstances – a natural disaster, the end of a traditional industry – and will they be able to replace the income generated by tourism? A lesser impact would also be felt by visitors who could no longer learn about the culture and people of the place. Knowing your money is helping a community is a rewarding part of travel, especially if the experience is a financial imperative for that community.
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