How Significant is any Process of Cultural Homogenization - Essay Example

Introduction Globalization can be defined as the act of selling goods and services without any restrictions. It is a form of free trade whereby countries have been confined in a village market whereby trade takes place without any restrictions. It is the issue of globalization which has led to the issue of cultural homogenization. Due to the advantages with globalization, it has led to countries to propose cultural homogeneity so that trade in this case can be made easy. So, through ought the paper, am going to talk about the concept of cultural homogenization, its positive and negative impacts in the tourism and the hospitable industries, the extend at which cultural homogenization exists and also comparing and contrasting the extend at which cultural homogenization is said to exist. (Cooper, 1989). Concept of cultural homogenization Cultural homogenization can be defined as the domination of a particular culture over the other cultures. Culture in this case means shared believes, values, attitudes, languages among others. This is the situation whereby you find that there is only one culture which is used by so many people. So due to globalization, it has led most of the economies in a village market whereby there is free trade of goods and services and you also find that there is no restrictions on this trade. (Hall, 2000). Arguments for cultural homogeneity Globalization has come up with so many things. It is due to this that you find that homogenization of culture can be termed as important in most of the sectors and a good example is the hospitality and the tourism sector. These sectors are said to be much important since they provide services to majority of the individuals and hence the need of cultural homogeneity. Cultural homogeneity may include speaking of a common language to ensure that there are no barriers to communication and hence leading to effective provision of these services. It has impacted the tourism and hospitality industries in all dimensions. The oldest situation of cultural diversity was of more importance to the tourism and hospitality industries. During the early days when there were ethnic, communality and nation’s cultural variations, this formed a chief source for tourist attraction. The capacities to perform their own way were a defined way of identity to the whole state and the entire world. People’s feelings of happiness were being aroused by watching the fascinating performances of music and dances from their neighboring community. The industries would then make arrangements from different community’s leaders for their groups to come and perform for their guests. The integration of the local communities was viewed as a means of advancing one’s community uniqueness and therefore the communities could fervently work towards preserving and improving their cultural dances or performances. So, in the global market, you find that this could provide attractive sites for the tourists as a result of integration of these communities. (Hall, 2000). Global tourism in this case means that in the tourism and the hospitable industries, it means that there will be a common culture for the whole global process. It will mean that there will be a common culture and the common culture in this case may mean a common language which will be used in the provision of these services. So, many argue that Cultural homogenization is seen to have positive impacts in the global market. Global market in the tourism and the hospitable industries means that we will have the same culture in this industry. So, this is important in the sense that when we have culture homogeneity in the global market, it means that trade in this case will be made easy. A good example is in the common language. If we have a common language which is been spoken in the provision of these services, then you will find that there will be no language barriers when delivering these services. One of the major barriers to trade is language barrier. So, if a common language is established to be used by all countries when providing these services, then it will mean that people will be in a position to communicate with each other effectively. All people from every region of the country will be in a position to get these services effectively hence leading to a greater importance to those people who trade in this businesses. You will also find that the economic growth of these countries who deal with the tourism industries will be in a position to grow. (Wlodkowski, 2000). Also you find that most countries have different believes and attitudes towards the provision of these services. So, when people have a common believe, it means that more services will be provided to the people and no issue of discrimination of services simply because of the varied believes and attitudes which are found in most of the communities. A good example is found in the hotel industries whereby when providing these services, there are no certain believe associated with a particular food. As a result, you find that these companies which provide these services will be in a position to grow. Homogeneity of culture has also the impact of reducing costs. You find that in most of the developing countries, in the tourism sectors, they are supposed to employ people who are supposed to interpret these languages to the tourists who do not understand these languages. As a result, you find that they incur a lot of expenses employing these people. So, it will mean that with culture homogeneity, then it will mean that there will only be only one language to be used during the global trade. So, it will mean that when providing these services, one language will be used hence the many costs which are involved in employing the language translators will be reduced. As a result, the economic growth of these countries will tend to increase since they won’t incur all these expenses. (Wlodkowski, 2000). Arguments against Cultural homogeneity is said to have a negative impact in to these industries. This is because most of the tourisms industries usually rely on the cultural diversities. A good example in this case is found in the developing countries. These are the countries which are thought to have a diversified attraction sites for most of the developed countries. It is out of the different languages, dressing styles, traditional foods among other cultural aspects which are thought to attract many tourists in the developing countries. So, it means that when globalization comes up with the homogeneity of culture, then you find that the less developed countries will be at a disadvantage. This is because they will not be in a position to compete with the other countries that have good attractive sceneries for the tourists to visit. So, it means that with globalization, it will have culture homogeneity hence meaning that there will be a common culture for these industries in the global market. Meaning that then the hospitable and tourisms industries in the developing countries will have no place in the global market since most of the tourisms sectors basically rely on the varied cultures. A good example is the hotel industries which usually serve those traditional foods. The negative impact with this is that it will mean that those countries which rely mostly on the tourism industries will have poor economic growth since you will find that they will face a stiff competition from the developed countries. This is because the developed countries have a highly sophisticated culture and also most of their industries are usually not based on culture but on beautiful sites in that countries say their museums, national parks among others. As a result, their economic growth will be affected hence leading to a slow growth in these countries which are not industrialized. (Real, 1996). Depending on some other factors, there are other several ways in which the homogenization of culture affects the destinations of tourisms. Certain risks are attached in the areas of destinations. The standardization process to satisfying tourists desires pose an enormous risk in the tourism industry. While trying to achieve the global standards, there are paramount facilities which are required. In order to satisfy these facilities certain traditional community familiar facilities are put at the stake. The accommodation, food and beverages of are some of facilities which form tourist’s attraction points. However, the homogenization of culture concerning these facilities may require acquisition of brand equipments which actually polishes away that indigenous ones. Such hospitality and tourism centers which may be used to rely on these may lose market for this reason. (Condon, 2005). Homogenization of culture furthermore leads to lose of stage authenticity of communities. The adaptation of one cultural way of life is a detrimental act which should be sternly condemned. Cultural diversity creates a room for individual cultural authenticity as well as stage authenticity. The expression of unanimous tastes of one cultural way chases away the act of tourism. Many tourists travel to abroad country to learn and watch authentic cultural activities which are dissimilar from one another. As long as communities embrace homogeneous culture type, then the hospitality and tourism industries will be in dismal operations. The loss of authenticity has been evident in numerous countries in which locals have showed and manifested the tourists’ cultures. In addition, there are inevitable parts of homogenization of culture which are more demanding than all the others. The demands of tourist to have souvenirs, arts crafts, cultural manifestation, and many craftsmen change their products to bring them to be in compliance with the new client’s tastes. The influences of homogenization occur when the contributions of the guest are conserved. In most cases, the host develops the interests of the tourist as these contribute to the sense of self worthiness of artists. This process if handled lightly is precarious to the community. It automatically and freely causes the erosion of traditions and cultural goods and well being. (Gee, 1997). Extend at which cultural homogenization exists To some extend, cultural homogenization is said to exist in some countries. A good example is in Somali who are said to have a common culture. They have only one tribe and they only speak one language. So, in this case, it means that cultural homogeneity is evident in some countries although not many of them, As a result, then you will find that in the global market, the tourism and the hospitable industries will be affected so much. This is because if they have a common culture, it will mean that not many people will be attracted to visit those places since most of the tourists to the developing countries are basically attracted by the diversified cultures found with these people. They like so much visiting the African hotels because of the setting which is found in these hotels. They usually serve the African and the traditional food which are found here hence leading to attraction sites for these people. Another example is the cultural dances which are performed at the national museums of so many countries. It is evident that in Somalia, these museums are non existence since most of the cultural activities especially the cultural dances are not there. But now with the common culture with Somalia, then these industries will be affected so much since you will find that no cultural factors to attract these people. (Fieg, 1989). Comparing and contrasting cultural homogeneity evidence In comparison, there is small evidence in the existence of the cultural homogeneity. This is found in a few countries and a good example is in Somalia where we have a common culture. In contrast, cultural homogeneity does not exist. This is because of the many countries and the different cultures are supposed to identify these people. So, generally cultural homogeneity is not there, since even in Somalia, you find that there are other people from other countries are who are living there and are not supposed to abide in to that culture. So, cultural homogeneity does not exist since most people have immigrated to other countries hence making these countries to have different cultural believes and backgrounds. (Fieg, 1989). Conclusion The fact that tourisms industry involves the participation of people from various communities creates an intimate relation between tourism and culture. Hospitality industry is key contributor to the progressiveness of the tourism industries. Despite much efforts put towards homogenization of culture, little of importance has been achieved in most parts of the world. Although, it has impacted greatly socio-cultural ways in some communities, it has fewer impacts on the tourism and hospitality industries in all dimensions. But it is noted that the oldest ways of cultural diversity was of more importance to the tourism and hospitality industries. Another argument in this case is that most of these industries in the less developed countries will be affected so much. This is due to the impact these sectors have to most of these countries. A good example in this case is Kenya. Hotels and the tourism industries are said to attract so many people from so many countries. So with the introduction of a cultural homogeneity, it will definitely mean that most of these industries will automatically die hence leading to slow growth since they will not be in a position to compete with the industries in the developed countries say in the United states. Reference Neumann, T and Robert, M 2001, Cultural resources archaeology, AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, CA. Cooper, C 1989, Progress in Tourism, Recreation and Hospitality Management Belhaven Press. Gee, C 1997, International Tourism: A global perspective, World Tourism Organization, Spain Amin, H 1996, Egypt and the Arab world in the satellite age, New York, Oxford University Press. Althen, G 2001, American ways: A guide for foreigners in the United States, Intercultural Press. 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