Chapter 14. Back to the Big Picture: Globalization and Trends
Chapter 14. Back to the Big Picture: Globalization and Trends
Geoffrey Bird and Eugene Thomlinson
Learning Objectives
- Identify the impacts and benefits globalization has on the tourism industry, as well as tourism’s influence on globalization
- Use the PEEST model to describe political, economic, environmental, social, and technological trends affecting global tourism and travel
- Define key terms related to globalization
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the interplay of globalization and tourism
Overview
In today’s integrated and interdependent world, multiple forces represent both opportunities and threats to tourism. This chapter explores the topic of globalization and how it relates to tourism, and then examines trends (political, economic, environmental, societal, and technological influences). The chapter closes with a reflection on what all this means for tourism in British Columbia.
Globalization and the Tourism Industry
Depending on the focus of the discussion, globalization can be defined in several ways. One broad definition is:
A complex web of social processes that intensify and expand worldwide economic, cultural, political and technological exchanges and connections. (Campbell, MacKinnon, & Stevens, 2011, p.4)
Globalization can also be simply described as the movement of goods, ideas, values, and people around the world. The term was first used in the early 1950s to recognize the increasing interdependence of economies and societies around the world. Globalization, however, has existed for centuries by way of evolving trade routes, including the slave trade, colonization, and immigration.
Today, we are divided into separate countries, each looking out for its own national self-interest. At the same time, other entities such as multinational corporations cross borders, which leads to global economic and political integration. Many benefits can result from global integration and interdependence, but we also need to heed its negative effects.
We can look at the relationship between globalization and tourism in several ways. For the purposes of this chapter, we will consider the impact of tourism and travel on globalization, and the impact of globalization on tourism. But first, let’s keep in mind why it is important for a local tour operator, general manager, or tourism business owner to think about globalization. More importantly, let’s consider where we should be looking to understand globalization and future trends. The rest of this chapter will address these topics.
The Impact of Globalization on Tourism
We can assess the impact of globalization on tourism from a number of perspectives. Here, we will discuss five examples: global mobility and ease of travel; population and demographic trends; terrorism, safety, and security; increased awareness of new destinations; and poverty.
Global Mobility and Ease of Travel
The advances made in transportation that have enabled global mobility are particularly significant. Moder