Is Jordanian
hospitality purely a deeply manifested Jordanian attribute or the result of a
development towards a deeply embedded tourist industry? This must not be
mutually exclusive, yet, designated research could assess to what extent the
tourist business influences local culture.
An intriguing
research approach to tourism study is the investigation of impacts that
tourists and locals have on one another. I mentioned the demonstration effect
that describes the phenomenon of disclosing an unfamiliar lifestyle, culture or
value system and attempting to adapt to it. Besides my previous example,[1]
this effect may also describe locals in the tourist business adapting to
Western (or other) customs.[2]
While this is a one-way phenomenon, the acculturation effect marks a reciprocal
effect:
a demonstration from
the local on the tourist and from the tourist on the local. This means that a
tourist-local encounter is rich of cultural exchange and adaption.[3]
The resulting acculturation
impacts are part of a greater range of forces that foster socio-cultural
changes more generally. Tourism thus is one of many independent variables that
generate socio-cultural change.[4]
Reflecting upon
this, I wonder if Jordan’s reputation as a modern-western country is related to
its tourist experience. As one independent variable, the significance of (‘Western’)
tourism for the country probably influences its attitude and relation to ‘the
West.’ At the same time, (‘western-’ and ‘non-western’) tourists visiting
Jordan – like myself – may increase their understanding of and may alter their
attitude towards the Middle Eastern (Islamic) culture. This indicates a
positive impact for the country’s reputation in the world community, and it
fosters cultural understanding.[5]
I believe a longer
stay abroad and more intercultural conversations generate positive
acculturation effects. Despite our tourist bubble, I had memorable encounters
with local Jordanians. My cultural horizon was broadened even more through my
fellow international tourists company.
[5] Ibid., p. 146.
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| 'Westerners' enter the Islamic museum |
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| Barbie doll meets Arabic culture |
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| Meeting of the cultures: Beibei was trying on souvenir clothing when a Jordanian entered and said: "Look, we are wearing the same dress" |
I remember my first night waking up by the call for the Fajr prayer. After the first moment of surprise I thought to myself, how cool: I am in an Islamic country now.
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