Commodification of Culture & Tradtion

Comment on whether tourism has been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions

I strongly believe that tourism is a culprit in commodification of culture and tradition. Although commodification is not something new but it is increasingly exploiting culture and tradition. In addition, globalisation has everything to do with the rise in commodification. With the spaces between countries reduced, it has led to tourism being a booming industry.

I feel that commodification has exploit the culture and tradition of a particular destination. It is undenial that commodities are some of the ways in which local communities earn their living from and may even depend on it for survival. To these craftmen, they may think that creating small handcrafts or souvenir such as key chains, t-shirts and many more are merely a remembrance of the destination for tourists to bring home. However, it is causing tourists to think that these commodities are the experience they had in the particular destination. The entire experience is much more valuable than that. They have significance value and should not be commodified. If this continues, tourists may start to depreciate cultures and traditions and commodification may become a norm. 

An example of commodification is street markets and flea market in Madrid,Spain. They have  many for such markets. A famous market called El Rastro sell handicrafts and other products such as antique products which maybe both authentic and inauthentic. Over at this market, bargain hunters can do their best to get the lowest price. Some of this crafts are already made  to associate with their culture and tradition and instead of appreciating them, tourists are being allowed to bargain for lower prices. This creates a perception to tourists that it is cheap so as is the destination and experience.