Tourism Does Not Help to Increase the Understanding Between Nations

Tourism does not help to increase the understanding between nations. Do you agree with this statement?

Tourism is now thought to be one of the largest industries in the world and is still growing at a fast rate. More and more people make use of the opportunity to travel around and spend their vacation in a different part of the world, and one would expect that international tourism promotes the understanding between the nations of the world. However, this assumption is far from the truth.

To begin with, mass tourism leads to the sad fact that tourists travel in a bubble and do not get to experience the authentic traditions, culture or life of locals. As soon as the travelers arrive, they are immediately taken to their international hotels. Their meals, souvenir shopping and ever so traditional entertainment take place in areas where local people never go. Therefore, the tourist is only able to catch a glimpse of the natives from a distance, because apart from the tour guide, waiters or salespeople he barely talks to local people. All of these facts are part of their long-awaited package tour.  

Another important approach to me is the local people. Countries and societies have their own beliefs, traditions and culture, which have to be respected, but tourism can lead to conflicts or stress between tourists and locals. For instance, tourists may act inappropriate or offensive according to local standards of dress code or manners. While a kiss in public might be a common greeting in Europe, it is prosecutable in Arabic countries and considered disrespectful to local beliefs. Also, the language barrier can result in misunderstandings.

Thus, based on my arguments, it is clear that the limited time of travel, the difference in culture and the stereotype bubble do not help to increase the understanding between nations. However, tourism is not the same as tourism. If someone really wants to travel to understand a different culture, he has to be flexible, adventurous and leave the bubble at home.