Abstract
This paper re-evaluates the significance of history and culture in tourism studies. As a multi-disciplinary stream in postmodern globalized times it is debatable whether commerce- and management-based themes are more important than history in tourism studies. There is a general recede of historic and culture themes from tourism curricula. Teaching the historicity of tourism is vital to the discipline, at multiple levels viz. acceptance of travel as a basic human necessity for migration, war, religion, culture, medical, trade, etc., as well as cultural dynamism, local cultures and small social practices, and growth of tourism as an academic humanities subject. The evolution of tourism in academics and practice remains incomplete and undefined in the absence of the study of social formations, systems, cultural patterns, and heritage. In all developing societies, especially where the process of nation making is still continuing, it is imperative for tourism students to learn the concepts of identity, unity, culture, national, public, and private domains in their own diverse historical contexts as well not only according to western European models. If “history” is withdrawn from the practice and teaching of tourism, the entire phenomenon of tourism becomes soulless. It is merely a commercial activity sans subtle socio-cultural values.
Digital Media
This presenter hasn’t added media.
Request media and follow this presentation.
