Changes brought about by tourism growth
Economy
Revenue from tourism are significant as this type of revenue and its economic spin-offs are often considered desirable by both politicians and voters, as they can create benefits such as tax revenue generation, financing of infrastructure, job creation, and capital outlays in the region, without increasing the tax burden on local citizens themselves.
Tourism typically has other benefits as well, including being a “non-polluting” industry, one that can be relatively labor intensive, and one that provides a variety of private sector and public sector infrastructure which can be utilized by domestic citizens as well as by tourists. On a global scale, tourism has been one of the more rapidly growing industries for many countries in the past few decades. As affluence and real economic growth continue in Southeast Asia as is expected, there is good reason to believe that growth in tourism will continue into the future and exceed the rate of growth for the overall economies in that region, with Taiwan as no exception.
Social
Communication
Taiwan badly needs tourism talent, particularly tour guides versed in Mandarin and various foreign languages, as more Chinese citizens and international tourists visit the country. With China expected to replace Japan as Taiwan's largest source of foreign tourists, many people are preparing for Mandarin tour guide accreditation tests. In 2009, Taiwan had only 14,000 accredited Mandarin tour guides. To address the problem, the Tourism Bureau recruited 9,000 candidates in May 2010 through accreditation tests.
With the arrival of tourists, Taiwanese were able to improve their communication and language skills as they upgrade themselves by learning foreign languages to meet the needs of the tourists. As indirect influences of tourism, the local people’s image of foreign culture and language skills have improved.
Improvement in infrastructure, education and natural conservation
To enhance the growth of tourism industry, the government carried out infrastructural investments, e.g. transportation facilities, airports, highways, railways, resort, national parks and tourist facilities etc. For the private corporations such as airlines, buses, hotels, tourist restaurants, playgrounds, souvenir shops, shopping malls, etc., they also improved on the infrastructure so as to meet the needs of the tourists. The tourism sector produces returns to public sector investments in natural conservation, education and infrastructure development
Among the tourism bureau's other responsibilities are the development and management of national scenic areas and the construction of parking lots, pavilions, beach facilities, hiking trails, toilets, marinas, food and beverage outlets, visitor centers, and display halls. Once the infrastructure has been completed, the private sector is then encouraged to invest in hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities in the national scenic areas.
Environmental awareness
When developing tourism and trying to promote ecotourism, environmental awareness would be created. Environmental policies are being implemented so as to protect the environment such as the National Scenic Areas, which would contribute to places tourists visit.
Culture
Preservation of culture
Throughout the process, there might be culture lost to tourism, however, one cannot deny that tourism also helped in preserving the cultures, which might otherwise been lost if the government do not interfere to preserve them, for both the locals and the tourists. An example would be the Lantern Festival, in which the Tourism Bureau has been holding for 20 years to attract visitors and raise the international profile of the cultural charms of Taiwan. Traditionally, the festival has been celebrated by carrying hand lanterns. The Taiwan Lantern Festival adds a high-tech to this traditional custom and brings the event to the international stage. This is an opportunity to attract tourists, while teaching traditions of the festival to the young, and hence preserving it.
Modification to festivals
The Tourism Bureau has been holding the Taiwan Lantern Festival for 20 years to attract visitors and raise the international profile of the cultural charms of Taiwan. Traditionally, the festival has been celebrated by carrying hand lanterns. The Taiwan Lantern Festival adds a high-tech to this traditional custom and brings the event to the international stage. From to the theme lantern displays to folk arts and performances, the festival has become a perennial favorite of locals and foreign visitors alike.
Staged Authenticity
In order to appeal to tourists, indigenous groups have been “performing”; wearing traditional costumes, doing aboriginal dance and songs, performing rituals and ceremonies. The cultures are authentic, however before tourism seeps into their lives, they do it only during festivals and occasions, meaning that all these are staged, just for the sake of letting tourists see and experience their cultures.
Information Sources:
http://www.taiwanholidays.com.au/taiwan-tourism-talent-in-great-demand
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