Has tourism been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions?

Commodification locally?

Has tourism been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions? My answer is yes. Tourism has been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions. Tourism brings about tourists. Whenever you are on an overseas trip, do most of your friends or relatives ask you to get them a souvenir? I'm quite sure the answer is yes.

The definition of commodification according to www.dictionary.com is to turn into a commodity; make commercial. Thus, by commodifying a culture, means making it commercial. Examples are souvenirs being sold as part of a cultural tour. Using Brazil's Rio Carnival as an example, the tradition and culture such as the samba dance and the carnival balls are being commercialised and sold off as an event - Rio Carnival. This is an example of commodification.

Tourism, like globalisation is inevitable, you can control it but you are not able to stop it. Hence, there will be commodification occuring all the time. However, it is up to the nation's government to prevent the commodification from occuring as the government is able to control the impact tourism has on the country.