Unpopular Opinion
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Yeah, I'm not sure there is an ethical tourism. Being a tourist means being an outside viewer of another culture. Even without the financial and environmental costs, it's still treating these people and places like zoo attractions. Of course I don't think it's unethical to travel and experience a culture different than your own, I don't even think I'm against the idea of vacation. I just think that you have to be willing to be immersed in where you're visiting. Not keeping it at arms length and behind a lens, but where it has the ability to change you and teach you something real.
I feel like you've redefined tourist. You can visit another culture and still participate in it respectfully with an intent to learn and be part of the cultural exchange. That's still tourism. Why does tourism mean specifically commodifying another culture?
Yes and no. You're right in that the dictionary definition of tourism is basically just visiting another place, no matter what you're doing. And your second sentence I was definitely trying to allude to. But colloquially, (and maybe this is just my experience) we talk about touristy things to do and touristy attractions and tourist season and building economies around tourism. It really feels like tourism is something that is outside invading into a community and often either setting aside or commodifying the culture of the destination. Maybe there's a different word that I can't think of that would be more accurate to use instead of tourism, but I don't think I'm using it in a way that's contradictory to how I usually hear the word used. I also say all this as someone from and living in an area that attracts a lot of tourists.
I like the term "cultural voyeurism."
Right? I don't want people to be hermits. If I were a dictator king, everyone would get two tourism passes. Once in their 20's, and again in their 50s. Take 6 months/a year, learn the language, and live in the community.
Only problem is in the United States to get anywhere you have to use air travel. Do you wanna go from New York to Los Angeles? Yeah, you’re flying it. Otherwise you’re taking a lot of time off from work just for the travel even by car would take you a long time.
So basically, either you’re a hermit stuck in your small section of your country or you fly.