Abstract
This paper examines the issues involved in the current debate on the effect that tourism is having on indigenous cultures, especially in the Third World. The paper presents arguments on both sides of the debate and offers some suggestions for a resolution. It concludes that if cultural commoditization is used wisely, it can in fact be a contributor to cultural development.

Outline:
Introduction
Commoditization
Cultural Development
Recommendations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"On the negative side of the debate, the general view is that tourism turns local culture into a commodity, and this changes the meaning of cultural products, eventually rendering them meaningless, while at the same time exploiting local communities both culturally and financially (Cohen, 1988, p. 372, 381). Koster (2009) found evidence of such economic exploitation in her field research among the weavers of Chiapas, Mexico. For example, she discovered that they are often forced to sell their products at one-fifth of their real value, since tourists are not willing to pay high prices (p. 26, 41) and middlemen (who take a sizeable cut of the profits) are often involved in the exchange (p. 16). The commoditization process can be understood in terms of four basic premises: (1) "local culture is capitalized as an asset"; (2) "traditional mechanisms of accumulation, transmission and reproduction of culture give way to new modes [of production]"; (3) "fundamental social and cultural changes take place"; and (4) "a radical shift in community ideology occurs" (George, 2005, p. 2). These changes and shifts in community ideology include cultural dilution and eventually "cultural homogenization" (Greenwood, 1989, pp. 173, 184), as cultural objects and practices are modified to suit "the tastes of the tourists" (Cohen, 1988, p. 381). For example, Koster (2009) found that the weavers of Chiapas began altering their products and designs to meet the demands of tourists (p. 41)."

Tags:Tourism, commoditization, cultural development, indigenous cultures, sustainability homogenization

Abstract
This paper is a case study of tourism in Guatemala. It begins with a brief overview of the history of tourism and examines the current status of the country's geography, economy, and infrastructure as it impacts tourism in the 21st century. This is followed by an analysis of planning, development, and management of tourism in Guatemala under the auspices of the Instituto Guatemalteco de Tourismo (INGUAT), Guatemala's official tourism agency, with special reference to the policy of community-based tourism. The paper concludes with an emphasis on the need for collaboration among all the key stakeholders, the building of partnerships, and the need for the empowerment of the local Mayan communities.

Outline:
Introduction
Overview of the Country
Planning, development, and management of tourism in Guatemala
Stakeholder involvement
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Community-based tourism projects in Guatemala are generally sponsored, designed, and managed by NGOs. Ideally, the NGO should train members of the local community to take charge of the project and then pass control of it over to them when they are ready to run the project on their own. However, in most cases in Guatemala, the NGOs do not hand control over to the communities, but maintain a tight hold on the projects for as long as possible, arguing that if they give up control too quickly the project is likely to fail. The NGO employees tend to live at some distance from the projects that they are working on and they are predominantly ladinos, that is, Guatemalans of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent. They also tend to be better educated than the members of the local community, and are thus not seen as part of the local community that they serve (Miller, 2008). Under this sort of NGO control, community-based projects may get little cooperation from local residents. As Reid (2003) notes, "Communities will contribute and take charge of their development if it is clear that the ownership of the eventual tourism project will remain in their hands, and that they will benefit from it" (p. 135)."

Tags:Guatemala, tourism, community-based projects, INGUAT, NGO, ecotourism

Abstract
Scuba diving is a rapidly growing sport, and one that is beginning to involve the entire family. Coral Divers Resort had a comfortable niche in that industry, one that had been enhanced by its owner, Jonathan Greywell's promotional strategy. According to the case study, "over the years, Greywell had established a solid reputation for the Coral Divers Resort as a safe and knowledgeable scuba diving resort. It offered not only diving, but a beachfront location.

From the Paper
"CORAL DIVERS RESORT

Introduction
Scuba diving is a rapidly growing sport, and one that is beginning to involve the entire family. Coral Divers Resort had a comfortable niche in that industry, one that had been enhanced by its owner, Jonathan Greywell's promotional strategy. According to the case study, "over the years, Greywell had established a solid reputation for the Coral Divers Resort as a safe and knowledgeable scuba diving resort. It offered not only diving, but a beachfront location. As a small but well-regarded all-around dive resort in the Bahamas, many divers had come to prefer his resort to other, crowded tourists resorts in the Caribbean."

Greywell found this niche by creating short weekend and midweek diving ventures ..."

Abstract
This paper will explain how Jevons skillfully blends his plot and his various characters' personal quirks and obsessions to reveal some of the basic concepts that form the cornerstones of basic economic theory and practice.

From the Paper
"The story begins in a place known as Cinnamon Bay Plantation located on the Caribbean Island of St. John. Immediately, the reader is alerted to the role economics will play by the author choosing this location. It may seem that a vacation island is the very antithesis of economic work in practice. Yet once the location was also a plantation, forming the basis of its own, self-enclosed economic structure. It was once a structure that produced goods to be consumed and sold at a profit, now it will produce the necessary setting for a murder, by bringing those who wish to kill certain individuals into contact with those individuals, much as a marker brings suppliers and consumers into contact."

Tags:outset, author, Marshall, Jevons, professor, economics, lacks, sense, humor, profession

Abstract
This paper explains that Canada is a very popular tourist destination which offers something to offer everyone from family vacationers to rugged outdoor enthusiasts. The paper relates some of the key elements anyone should be aware of when planning a trip to Canada. The paper also points out the incredible diversity of Canada's geography and people. The paper frequently compares the similarities of Canada to the U.S. yet underscores the differences.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
History
Food
Lodging
Monetary System
Expenses
Geography
Language

From the Paper
"Canada is home to more than 20% of the world's entire supply of fresh water, much of which is found in the Great Lakes and the northern glaciers (freshwater.com). Although Canada has the second largest landmass in the world, its population is relatively small. In fact, the entire population of Canada is equal to the population of the State of New York, or roughly 30 million. The majority of Canadians live in urban settings, including the major cities of Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, and Halifax."

Tags:loonie, hostels, train, bilingualism, spelling

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts tourism in France from just before the French Revolution to the present. It argues that the evolution of tourism traces the transformation in national identity, changes in French society itself and the cultural transformation the country underwent from the early 19th century, through the colonial age of empire and to the present. It applies socio-cultural theory in order to understand these long-range effects.

From the Paper
"A study of tourists and their correspondence reveals as much about the character of French society as it does about the travelers themselves. Although they frequently look at the land and people they are visiting with some degree of ethnocentricity their perceptions are nonetheless valuable in tracing the evolution of French society. The records kept by tourists before the advent of mass tourism in the twentieth century observe primarily high-class society; since only the wealthy could afford the Grand Tour in France, the company they kept and the activities they pursued kept them among French elites. Before the 1900s, the majority of travelers were diplomats or wealthy men touring France for pleasure or cultural betterment . Although not stating it plainly, the company they kept with aristocrats and the bourgeoisie suggest a highly divisive class structure."

Tags:revolution, national, identity, society, travel

Abstract
The vast numbers of tourists concentrated in particular regions across the world that have had an increasingly negative effect of destruction on the natural environment. This paper depicts the harmful effects of tourism in the regions of Prince Edward Island, Jamaica, and Kenya.

From the Paper
"Prince Edward Island is one of the major tourist destinations in Canada. Tourists are attracted to the small province because of its numerous white sand beaches, its rolling pastoral landscape, and many tiny villages. Perhaps the reason it is best known is due to the stories by Lucy Maud Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables. Few of the tourists who grace the island every year realize the damages that they are having both directly and indirectly on the environment. The most visible sign of environmental and ecological changes are towards the many sand dunes on the island, among others environmental factors."

Tags:africa, air, america, animal, anne, assets, beach, canada, caribbean, central, coral, countries, country, damage, destination, destruction, developing, dunes, earth, ecological, economic, edward, effect

Abstract
Ireland's culture is diverse and extensive. This paper sheds light on many aspects that make Ireland a unique country. A heavily-sourced essay that covers the geography, culture, history, and economy of Ireland.

From the Paper
"Due to rising tension and resentment of British rule over Ireland an uprising of Irish citizens began on Easter Monday April 24, 1916. Patrick Pearse read a proclamation announcing the establishment of the Irish republic under an interim government. Elsewhere in Dublin, armed men of the Irish Citizens Army took control of four key points in Dublin. The Irish Citizens Army received assistance from Germany, which was a key factor in them obtaining supplies to aid the revolution against Britain. This particular revolt was unsuccessful, yet it led the way for further revolts (Irelandseye, 2002)."

Tags:belfast, catholicism, cromwell, dublin

Abstract
This paper examines how during 2003, Toronto's tourism and hospitality industry was significantly hampered by four major crises: An outbreak of SARS, West Nile Virus, Mad Cow disease and an electrical blackout. It discusses how although every individual within the Greater Toronto area (GTA) was affected in some manner, the tourism industry was the most radically influenced and how the cumulative onslaught of the aforementioned events drastically reduced the number of visitors to the once thriving metropolis and threatened the livelihood of the city. It details the issues encountered by Toronto's tourism industry during 2003 and the recovery methods that were instituted in order to endorse the city as an attractive tourism destination.

From the Paper
"In order to regain the trust of travelers, positive advertising campaigns were initiated through mass mediums to the general public to highlight the positive elements that Toronto had to offer. The majority of the campaigns launched throughout the city were aimed at promoting Toronto through two key marketing concepts. These included (1) product bundling - offering a complete package to consumers at a reduced rate, and (2) reduced pricing - discounts placed upon specific offerings of the tourism sector. These concepts were based upon a loss-leader marketing strategy, whereby a very low price is charged for a product or service to entice customers into subsequently purchasing higher cost items. Mirvish Productions initiated one of the first examples of product bundling."

Tags:blackout, mad, cow, sars, west, nile, virus

Abstract
The report focuses on three items and their impact on the tourism industry. First, how database and loyalty marketing has helped relationship marketing. Second, how Internet and email has affected how customers search for information and purchase. Third, best practices and trends used by companies to gain a competitive advantage in their industry.

From the Paper
"Information systems are helping businesses better target their marketing efforts by storing information from customers received from surveys, invoice information, forms and contest giveaways. This allows Managers to execute complex communications programs that reinforce their name and build brand loyalty. Business owners know that to stay in business, some customers have to become repeat and loyal customers. According to an article in Ecom World (Shelton, 1999), customer loyalty is critical for three reasons:
1. Loyal, repeat customers cost less in marketing, support and advertising
2. Positive word-of-mouth from loyal customers brings new customers
3. Customers that have a poor experience will tell others."

Tags:computer, hotel, information, loyalty, management, systems