Tourism Perspectives - Essay Example

 Tourism Perspectives In the chapter under examination, Ritzer & Liska have elucidated two divergent tourism perspectives, i.e. modern and post-modern one, have been in vogue in the contemporary era. The modern approach can be stated as the projector and motivator of uniformity and similarity in respect of offering one and the same recreational and food facilities; while the post-modern approach looks for novelty and difference in ideas, facilities and activities in order to provide a unique and wonderful environment to the tourists outside their home, city and state. Since post-modern era has also offered multiple recreational facilities in the form of TV, internet and CD players etc, the people can make amusements without leaving their homes even. Hence, the sense of entertainment under multiple choices at home has given birth to new leisure time consumption trends in its scope. Although, both the perspectives contain positive and negative aspects in their nature and scope, though the second one creating uniqueness and differentiation in it look far more fascinating one than the one projecting similarity in the form of McDonaldization. The authors submit to state that the latest trends have been introduced in the aftermath of the penetration of two worldwide public entertainment business chains i.e. the recreational Disney Parks, and the food-chain McDonald (Ritzer & Liska, 1997: 98). McDonaldization and Disneyization, according to the authors, appear to be determining new boundaries of tourism with reference to modernity and post-modernity. The authors lay stress upon looking into the tourism phenomenon within the purview of modernity and post-modernity, where instead of taking both these aspects as two different epochs, they look for taking these ages as two different perspectives and approaches actually. Ritzer & Liska have declared tourism as one of the most dominating factors that paves the way towards bringing social change in the wake of it (97). However, inclusion of McDonaldization and Disneyization have established new dimensions in the tourist industry, where people have become familiar with the food and entertainment they would obtain by visiting any recreational place or sight of their choice in any region of the globe they proceed to during vacations (100). Consequently, the fears and perils regarding the uncertainty about the edibles they would take and the entertainments they obtain during their tour to some foreign land appear to be fast diminishing in the modern era, and people feel themselves a bit secure regarding their edibles and diets during tours. Hence, since the people do not look ready to experience new, queer or unpredictable situations, things, or states of affairs, the presence, projection and expansion of the recreational and food chains have turned out to be supportive in respect of providing the tourists with complete safety and shelter from the unpredictable events and situations (99). In addition to this, the people are in a position to communicate with the indigenous population of any country in one language i.e. English. It is because of the very fact that the promotion of multinational companies and news channels at global scale, English has got the status of an international language, which is at least comprehensible for the people belonging to divergent cultures, areas and regions of the world (Macionis & Plummer, 2008). The credit also goes to McDonald and Disney Parks, as both these companies are the product of the English speaking nation i.e. the USA. Both these multinational chains have introduced the self-supporting and self-serving systems in the contemporary hotel industry. Consequently, the tourists have learnt to serve themselves after paying their bills at the food-chain on the one hand, and can cruise on the ships of their choice at their own on the other. It has not only increased their efficiency level, but also nothing appears to be unpredictable or uncertain for them during their vacations and visits in various parts of the globe (101). In addition, people feel themselves secure and protected from any threat of crime, assault or harassment at the hands of some unwanted strangers or offenders. The authors have elucidated the alterations being observed in tourism sector, and their implications on the changes within the social establishments, to which they stated as the features attributed to the post-modern era. Ritzer & Liska cite Feifer’s (1985) views regarding the swift and marvelous alterations being introduced in the tourist industry after the inclusion of several technological equipments in the form of computer sciences, CD- Rom, the internet and multiple entertaining Cable TV channels, music channels and websites; all these facilities have ensured the entertainment activities at home, and subsequently confined the people to their homes, from where they can witness every development being made in politics, social life, sports and games, leisure and recreation and latest fashion designs, styles and brands. People can also purchase the books, CDs, clothes and cuisine of their choice by staying at their residences or any specific recreational corner in general. Although the Cable TV and internet are frequently blamed for destroying social network, as Nie & Hillygus (2002) state that from a social perspective, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Internet use takes time away from traditional social behavior, prompting concerns about the lack of face-to-face interaction, increasing isolation and loss of community fabric, yet it is these marvelous inventions of contemporary times, which have provided very simple, unstinting and highly economical entertainment opportunities at their doorstep during the contemporary era. It has also introduced new avenues and dimensions to the tourism perspective, where people just set out to long journeys on religious and spiritual purposes on the one hand, and to explore the tremendous beauties Nature offers to man on the other (Ritzer & Liska, 102-3). Consequently, in post-modern era, people visit the sacred places, holy shrines for religious purposes, and the hilly and mountainous zones and beaches and resorts in order to pay their homage to the bounties of Nature. In addition, people also include the famous and historical places for information purposes, which could increase their knowledge and wisdom subsequently. Furthermore, shopping has also become a fascination for the tourists in the post modern era, where millions of people visit Europe, the USA, the Middle East and China for trade, business and shopping purposes (104). The locations associated with both the religious places and beauties of Nature seldom contain either or both of the above-discussed multinational chains; as a result, uniformity of amusement or food could be escaped to some extent by visiting these venues. Somehow, the greatest shopping zones of the globe certainly contain McDonald and Disney Parks in their premises, and are always ready to provide full-time and exuberant amusement opportunities to the tourists belonging to the divergent cultures and civilizations of the world. By critically applying the modern and post-modern perspectives, discussed in the chapter under examination, on the United Arab Emirates, it becomes evident that they maintain some applications on this highly entertaining Gulf Zone. Since its unabated developments in all fields of life, the UAE has obtained the status of a astonishing and magnificent region for the tourists. The people all over the globe proceed to the magnificent cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Ras El Khaima and other beautiful locations of the Emirates for complete and perfect recreation. The chapter under investigation submits to state that people go out for recreational purposes in order to have superlative entertainment opportunities under an environment that could provide them with the food and amusement of their choice, and there could be the possibility of the availability of the activities they like. In addition, they could escape any unpleasant situation during the visit to a foreign land. The UAE provides the foreigner tourists a vast choice of foods and beverages on the one hand, and of cruising, boating and shipping on the other. In addition, the gorgeous shopping malls of Dubai and Ajman offer the customers the availability of almost every item under one roof. The sky scrapping buildings, lavish and luxurious hotels and restaurants, lush green parks, vast beeches and fastest possible navigation and communication facilities make the UAE the tourists’ heaven and dreamland in the real sense of the words. The indigenous Arabic cuisine including tabbouleh, falafel balls, shawarma, qehwah and other traditional dishes are revered by the foreigners. However, it does not mean that the UAE denies the availability of the international fast food chains including McDonald, Fri Chicks and others. Moreover, since the theorists state that accessibility to the internet and other communication and entertainment devices confine the humans to their homes. Nevertheless, the UAE have developed the Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and other stupendous entertainment centers, presence of which is sufficient to dazzle the eyes of the viewers. Furthermore, luxurious and speedy road, marine and air traveling also invite the people from all corners of the globe to visit this beautiful jewel of the globe for every type of entertainment and information. There are only few things that cannot come under the parameters defined and determined by Ritzer & Liska (1998). These include the absence of any religious place especially captivating and bewitching for the pilgrims. Somehow, because of the religious liberty and freedom of thought and action, mosques, churches and temples have been constructed by the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Hindus in order to perform their religious practices at there. Another dimension that discourages the international tourists includes the strict prohibition of homosexual activities all over the UAE. Although the Emirates is abundant with dance clubs, theatres, cinema halls and other entertainment opportunities, where the local and foreigner communities could make enjoyments of various kinds, yet when it comes the matter of same-sex relationships, they start taking the support of religion just to escape the defamation at the hands of the rest of Muslim countries. However, secret homosexual activities are at their climax in the entire country. According to the Global AIDS Response Progress Report (2012), despite the fact that homosexual acts are illegal in UAE, men who have sex with men exist, but little is known about the exact scope and nature of the phenomenon, as it is largely hidden from the public sphere. Consequently, the UAE is a place of less attraction for the homosexual couples. However, it becomes evident that the UAE fulfills almost all the requirements necessary or mandatory for a successful and profitable tourist junction. It is therefore millions of the tourists, from the USA, Europe, Africa, Canada, Australia and various parts of Asia visit the UAE and spend their quality time during vacations in the region. References Macionis, John J. & Plummer, Kenneth (2008) Sociology: A Global Introduction. Eleventh Edition Prentice-Hall Nie, Norman H. and D. Sunshine Hillygus. (2002) The impact of Internet use on sociability: Time-diary findings IT and Society. 1(1) Quoted in Veenhof, B. (2004) The Internet: Is It Changing the Way Canadians Spend Their Time? Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division (SIEID) 7-A, R.H. Coats, Ottawa, K1A 0T6 Retrieved from http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/Statcan/56F0004MIE/56F0004MIE2006013.pdf Ritzer, George & Liska, Allan (1998) McDisneyization and Post Tourism Complementary Perspectives on Contemporary Tourism United Arab Emirates – Global AIDS Response Progress Report (2012) Country Progress Report United Arab Emirates Reporting period: January 2010-December 2011 Retrieved from http://www.unaids.org/en/dataanalysis/monitoringcountryprogress/progressreports/2012countries/ce_AE_Narrative_Report%5B1%5D.pdf Read More