SHOULD VISITORS FOLLOW LOCAL CUSTOMS AND BEHAVIOR? AN OPEN DEBATE

What is right or wrong depends on the way of thinking of the people of any nation. Photo: LB Thapa

 By SANDHYA POKHREL 

Nowadays the tourism industry is growing at a tremendous speed. Due to the boom in transport industries and holiday packages, people often travel to other countries for various reasons. With such a development, there is an ongoing debate whether visitors from other countries should follow local customs and behavior during their stay in host countries or not. 

Many countries believe in cultural differences. Therefore, they welcome international tourists to follow their mannerisms and enjoy their visit to host nations. It will give an opportunity to the host nations to learn cultural differences. Otherwise, it was impossible for the host nations to learn anything about the Visitors and their behaviors. 

Similarly, natives of the host country will also have the opportunity to learn new skills, songs, arts, and so on from international visitors. Sometimes this practice does help the host country to identify the negative aspects of their culture and guide them to correct them. This will certainly elevate the image of the host country in the eyes of the international community. 

However, there are some countries that are highly possessive and conservative to accept cultural differences. They strongly believe that international visitors to their countries must follow the host country's popular customs and cultures. 

Such countries strictly want international visitors to pay due respect to their culture and tradition as long as they stay in their countries. 

For instance, many Islamic countries around the world are strictly conservative about their cultures, traditions, and religion. Islam does not allow foreigners to live a free life in Islamic countries. All international visitors, irrespective of their casts, cultures, and traditions must follow moral decorum as per the Islamic system.     

Islamic custom does not allow women to expose their heads or exposing any other body parts.  In some Islamic countries, women have to don burkhas and scanty dresses are strictly prohibited. Even men have to follow many strict social rules and regulations. 

What is right or wrong depends on the way of thinking of the people of any nation. I think cultural differences are the best way to learn and grow. This will certainly benefit the people to learn from each other. The benefit from cultural differences will not only boost national tourism but also educate people from each other. In brief, I should say that accepting cultural differences will provide an excellent opportunity to learn new social traditions and customs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandhya Pokhrel had her schooling at St. Mary’s school, Pokhara. She has recently completed her +2 from Bal Mandir Higher secondary school, Pokhara. Now she wants to fulfill her dream of studying abroad. 

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