Tourism is an industry that has been growing at a rapid pace in recent years. It has become a major source of revenue for many countries and regions around the world. However, there is a debate among experts on whether tourism should be considered a commodity.
What is a commodity?
A commodity can be defined as a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold. Some examples of commodities include gold, coffee, oil, and wheat. Commodities are generally traded on stock exchanges and their prices fluctuate based on supply and demand.
Is tourism a commodity?
Tourism can be seen as a commodity in some ways. It is an industry that produces goods and services that can be bought and sold. Tourists pay for transportation, lodging, food, entertainment, souvenirs, and other goods and services during their travels.
Moreover, the tourism industry operates in a market-driven economy where prices are determined by supply and demand. The prices of flights, hotels, tours, and other travel-related expenses fluctuate based on various factors such as seasonality, holidays, events, exchange rates, competition, etc.
Furthermore, tourism products are often standardized to meet the needs of mass markets. For example, hotels offer similar amenities such as beds, bathrooms, Wi-Fi access, TV channels etc., regardless of their location or brand.
Arguments against tourism being considered a commodity
While there are arguments that support tourism being considered a commodity there are also arguments against it being one.
Firstly some people argue that it is not ethical to treat travel experiences like commodities because it reduces the cultural value of travel destinations to mere products to be consumed rather than unique cultural experiences to be appreciated.
Secondly many people argue that treating tourism like any other product could lead to over-tourism which could have detrimental effects on the environment as well as the local communities who live in those destinations.
Lastly some argue that tourism is a service industry and not a commodity industry. Services are not tangible and are often customized to meet the needs of individual customers, unlike commodities which are standardized.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are arguments both for and against tourism being considered a commodity, it is clear that tourism shares many characteristics with commodities such as being traded on stock exchanges and being subject to market-driven economics. Whether or not tourism should be considered a commodity ultimately depends on one’s perspective on the value of travel experiences and the impact of mass tourism on local communities and destinations.