Dilemmas Posed by Implementing Tourism in Samoa, Case Study Example

Tourism has the potential of being a critical strategy in Samoa economic development. To gain a clear insight to the economical and social dilemmas posed by implementing tourism in the traditional community of America Samoa, is imperative that the interactions between development of tourism and the cultural values of the people of Samoa is critically analyzed. It is important to note that the way of life of Samoa people is significantly distinct from capitalist culture in other Western communities.

A contentious and undeniable force has been a remarkable characteristic feature in the tourism industry for the last five decades in Samoa. Being one the Small Island Developing States, the SIDS, the traditional community of America Samoa, has experienced exceptional challenges in upgrading its economic as well as social status. The challenges are attributed to the small size of this community, its remoteness as well as high profile vulnerability to natural shocks as well as economic upheaval that have been beyond the control of the members of this community. Consequently, the community has been predisposed to marginalization from international economy as compared to the rest of the developing countries. The limitations for economic growth prospects in Samoa have been a driving force for embracing tourism with the aim of boosting its economy (Williams, 2008).

The government has been enthusiastic in promoting and developing tourism activities in this area but the capacity of the tourism industry in advancing the developments has been inadequate. The potential of tourism has been perceived from the viewpoint of reinforcing the Western domination at the expense of the developing nations in addition to the generation of and enhancement of unfavorable social, environmental as well as economic impacts to the host communities. Additionally, some adverse consequences are evident with respect to environment in addition to the local community that cannot be immediately observed in comparison to the valuable economic impacts and hence making their quantification rather complicated. A clear knowledge of the phenomenon of tourism coupled with some specified marketing tools is imperative if tourism in Samoa and other developing countries is to be advanced.

In Samoa, there is a laxity of the planners along with implementers in grounding of development in the perspective of national as well as local destinations. The importance of this aspect is hinged to the fact that tourists hardly involve homogenous travelers and consequently, their interaction with the host community is highly varied depending on the specific category of the tourism in consideration. The implication of this fact therefore is that, the development of tourism is determined by the desires as well as the needs of the host community in maximization of benefits and at the same time, minimization of the adverse effects that are posed to the local communities (Thornton, Kerslake & Binns, 2010).

In Samoa therefore, a special consideration of cultural values, the desires as well as the needs of the community which are required to be given a pivotal consideration in the process of development planning in as far as advancement of tourism is concerned. This is taken on par with the considerations of the economic, political as well as environmental concerns of the host community.

It is important to appreciate the potential for tourism that lies at the hands of the Samoa community and consequently take in to account their cultural lives which significantly impact on the industry.

References

Williams, S. (2008). ‘A Theoretical Trip through Cultural Encounters in Tourism’ The International Journal of Humanities. Vol.6, No.3, pp.99?105.

Thornton, A., Kerslake, M.T. & Binns, T., (2010). ‘Alienation & Obligation: Religion & Social Change in Samoa’ Asia Pacific Viewpoint. Vol.51, No.1, pp.1?16.