Tourism and the globalization of a Canary Island

MacLeod, D.V. (1999) Tourism and the globalization of a Canary Island. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 5(3), pp. 443-456. (doi: 10.2307/2661277)

Abstract

This article argues that contemporary tourism should be seen as part of the globalization process, which is itself embedded in the world-system historical pattern of events. Tourism as a topic within anthropology is reviewed initially and is seen to be currently over-emphasizing symbolic issues at the expense of socioeconomic ones. A case study focuses on the globalization process as experienced by the Canary Islanders, for whom tourism is the latest in a long line of export services. It includes an examination of the influence of tourism on the local community, dealing with private accommodation, local businesses, employment patterns, gender roles and centralized development programmes. The tourists as a group are also examined and the intricate relationship between the type of tourism and the development of a resort is described. Throughout the article the potential of tourism for illuminating networks within global processes is made clear.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacLeod, Dr Donald
• Authors: MacLeod, D.V.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
• Journal Name: Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute
• ISSN: 1359-0987
• ISSN (Online): 1467-9655