tourism: an industry?

Somehow the idea of Tourism managed to transform itself into an industry.

Compared to any product I can think of this so called industry is filled with more shonky operators and rip-off merchants than anything I've ever encountered (and that includes the "ingurishu" {that's English if you didn't recognise it} schools in Japan or Korea)

Reading this article about a new campaign "There's Nothing Like Australia" just causes me to cringe.

As someone who has lived on the Gold Coast for many years (isn't that enough to put you off) I have witnessed rip off after rip off of tourists. It seems that the underlying philosophy is:

"because you won't get repeat business just maul their wallet"

I have been stunned at the treatment some of my Asian colleagues and friends have received in package tours.

I have sat stunned at the rubbish served to poor bastards hauled around in buses through the hinterland on "tours" getting their "Auzzie experience"

I've watched as world heritage areas like Fraser Island are turned into some never ending beach volleyball BBQ for backpackers (who don't give a flying fck about the pristine conditions and drop cigarette buts and feed the dingo's). Not that the locals or other Australians are any better ... walk in the dunes for 100meters and see how many tooth brushes, meters of fishing line, disposable nappies ... you find.

Just ask the police about the amount of accidents that unskilled in-experienced 4WD drivers have in their rented 4WD's going up and down the beach in a hurry. They are on pressing tight tour schedules so can't wait for the tide or anything like the environment.

When you consider that Tourism and National parks have a common history (why else do you think Yellow Stone was created?), it seems almost predictable that another Colony (recalling that USA was a Colony of England) would find yet another way to exploit the natural resources.


Now, before anyone cries JOBS JOBS JOBS ... its all good for us, let me ask "do you work in tourism?" I bet you don't because if you did you'd be likely to be more cynical than me.

And really ... what kind of jobs does it generate?

• servants for "hospitality"
• supply chain for the goods and services in hospitality
• bend over backwards for "the always right" customer

its interesting that when "guests" are staying in the hotels long showers and excessive use behavior are the norm, I mean after all, they're paying for it ... right?


Sustainable tourism ... hmm ... Sustainable Forestry anyone?