Money is not
everything.
Another power
differential between actors in tourism appears to the advantage of the local
population. They have the home game advantage – ‘cultural power’. Locals are experts on matters of language,
infrastructure, customs; they are indispensable help for tourists.[1]
We as foreign students certainly were inferior in the cultural-power-relation,
not least in our complete reliance and therefore dependency on our tour guide,
Omar. Cohen rightly defines the tour guide as “‘the pathfinder.’”[2]
While we were all busy taking pictures, applying sun-cream and gazing upon
touristic sights, Omar led the way through Jordanian traffic, gave us an
immense amount of historic, archeological and cultural insights, and organized
our meeting points. He told us where to get the best price-quality bargain – Frankly,
from my ‘inferior’ position I simply trusted him on that. Side note: the market
of souvenirs may foster a revitalization of traditional crafts – beneficial to
the local economy and the sustainability of local culture.[3]
[3] Stephen Williams, Tourism Geography (London: Routledge, 2009),
146.
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| Our competent tour guide Omar |
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| Gathered around Omar, we are busy with our cameras, our gazing or with listening to our tour guides' stories |
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| Omar, the pathfinder, leads the way |
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