City of Angels...or is it?

Just to sort of continue from my previous blog. So there were 2 presentations today on international tourism and socio-cultural impacts. The last group presented on some very interesting countries. They talked about how tourism has negative impacts on many developing countries. Even looking at my own presentation(which is next week), i've found a common theme..how tourism is having more of a negative impact on developing countries than a positive one.

Yes, there are positive aspects such as income generation, money coming into the country, better standards of living(not all cases). However, the negatives outweigh more. I've found that due to money woes and people wanting to be more like the "westerners", they've started depending too much on the western region. Something that horrified me was sex tourism and how the government as well as World Bank and US. military(only durin the vietnam war) actually promoted sex tourism in Thailand. Bangkok means "city of angels", but in reality, it isn't. Bangkok(according to the presenter,who visited there) is full of prostitutes and "lady boys". They even have travel agencies that have sex tourism packages for that region. It is disgusting to think that anyone could even think of such extremes...but I guess that's the nature of human beings. We will do anything to get what we want. I mentioned the US military. They infact had asked the locals to provide for the "comfort and relaxation" of the soldiers. And to think back here in the Western society, they condemn those same actions and you get arrested for prostitution. How is it ok for you to have prostitution in the developing countries but not ok for the western countries(altho' there are a few areas that prostitution is permitted). It's unthinkable,as to how standards are so different, even tho' we are all humans and are "supposed" to be equal.

When I first started my degree in tourism...I never imagined that I would learn about all of this. I've always had the picture of how tourism is a must to many developing countries, because that's pretty much all they have to offer(other than cheap labour..but that's another topic). But having said all that...I think its the responsibilty of the nations to ensure that they encourage tourism that is not disruptive to the people, economy or the environment. Don't get me wrong. Tourism is very beneficial in the long run. It's just that we have to learn how to use it in a way that is ethical and morally sound.

I find my International Tourism course to be quite interesting. It deals with views on globalization, the South vs. North, etc. We've been having presentations since last week, and most of the topics that we cover are quite thought provoking.

My group's topic is on South vs. North. It's about the developed/powerful countries vs. the developing/weaker countries. (I'm not goin to talk about my topic exactly) It seems in this day and age, every country wants to feel as powerful as the developed countries...but the steps they take can be questionable. For instance, we've talked about how many of the developing countries want to have the same standards as the developed countries (ie. infrastructure, tech.,etc), BUT they do not have the necessary resources or monetary funds..so then they would turn to the IMF to borrow money. However, borrowing money isn't easy..there are certain things that need to be done(which might go against the country's wishes) before they would give the money. So right from the beginning, they'd have to give up some thing to gain the necessary monetary funds. However, if they cannot receive it, many turn to unconventional methods to gain access to wealth. This includes, sex tourism, drug trafficking n so forth. They do all this, just so they can be upto par(or even close to) the standards of the developed countries. But yet, they are infact lowering their standards, are they not...atleast in the ethical sense.

And when we talk about international tourists entering the developing countries..it seems they have a big impact on the locals. Whenever I visit Sri Lanka, I find myself amazed at how the locals there almost seem like foreigners themselves. Many of the people(particularly in urban areas) have all adopted the western culture (ie. music, language, clothing,technology) and this is due to the demonstration effect(or so it would seem). Demonstration effect is when locals(especially young people) see tourists' behaviour and dress and want to emulate that. But I don't think that's the only reason. I think it's also the media that shows what people do around the world. Sri Lanka's technology is increasing and with that, so is the intake of foreign info. This can be a good thing..but it can also be bad too. As said before, the western culture is pretty much taking over..and altho' it may include some good things, it can also bring about the bad side. More n more, I've seen stories on how there are tons of illegal ops, increased violence among the "elite" and such. Maybe it's me, but I never pictured Sri Lanka like that before. I honestly never even knew that underage kids went bar hopping or did drugs!! Maybe I was being ignorant or just blind. :(

Hmm..so I don't know what I was trying to prove..but I guess what I'm trying to say is that many of the developing countries are putting too much reliance on developed countries. When I was talking to a friend about the movie Hotel Rwanda..He(Adrian) asked me..if Sri Lanka was in need of assistance during the war..would they help? Would the developed countries help other developing nations, eventhough they have nothing to offer them? You give everything you've got to these developed nations..thinking that in your time of need, they will come..but do you really think so? That's something to think about...

For once I have NO homework to do during the weekend..so found myself doing quizilla's quizzes. :)


Dominant Personality: Understanding
Good Traits: You gravitate towards people,
and are a shoulder to lean on. You give advice
at any given time.
Bad Traits: You aren't close with any one
person. You immerse yourself in other people's
problems and forget your own.
People see you as: Friendly, secretive, and
popular. People envy you, and may try and use
you as a tool
You're most like: Grace. You both have
positive relationships with people. Neither of
you have close friends, but unlike graceful
people, you try to help people out and aren't
as arrogant.
You need more: Solitude. You hardly get the
chance to breathe when you take on the world's
problems. You can't take other's
responsibilities or put them before your own.
Be selfish once in a while and discover who you
really are.

What's your dominant trait? (10 unique results)
brought to you by

So it's the night before Ramadhan starts. I can't believe it's here already and I'm glad. :) InshAllah, I'll be able to fast most of the days. The times are pretty good here...since it's Autumn right now. I don't have to wake up too early. Sometimes I do complain, but then I think back to my Saudi days. Now that was a trying time. I always wonder how we ever managed to fast in that heat. I guess the good thing about fasting there was, we hardly had any school! :) But I'm ever so greatful to God Almighty for bringing me thus far. Normally I would not have as much patience, but during Ramadhan, I think that's the time I have the MOST patience. :) So, it's all good!

Anways, I got my volunteer placement for my field work course. I'll be working at a travel agency in a department store. Lucky for me, it's in the mall that's located right by my house. So, I can just walk right over. I'm looking forward to working there. I only wish I was getting paid for it. O well, InshAllah once the placement is over, they'll offer me a job! :D

So, we finally moved most of our stuff into the new house. We ourselves haven't moved in. The beds and drapes that we ordered won't be in till next week. InshAllah, we'll move in by the end of the month. The house is beautiful, although a bit cramped with all the furniture. Most of the previous houses we've owned, they were much larger than this one. Therefore, most of our furniture is a bit too bulky. :p But we've managed to fit most of them into the house, so it's not too bad.

Anyways, I'm off to bed. Will try to update often..."try"being the operative word here. hehe.