The negative cultural impact of tourism and its implication on sustainable development in Amhara Regional State

Tourism is a modern and growing industry that has a high impact on human life. The interface between culture and tourism is immense, and they have both negative and positive outcomes for one another. Studying the impact of tourism on culture has become a hot topic of discussion among concerned scholars. If it is managed properly, it contributes to the preservation and enhancement of cultural diversity and sensitivity. Otherwise, it can destroy the cultures of destination communities. The Amhara region is known for both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, which has been the source of tourists' attractions. The purpose of this research is to assess communities' perceptions of the negative cultural impact of tourism on destinations. A mixed-methods research approach, predominantly qualitative research, was used. The findings indicate that tourism has contributed to the commoditization of the culture of society, the erosion of the local communities' socio-cultural assets, and the production of inauthentic products. Even importing alien cultural products from abroad in mass and presenting them to tourists were identified as negative outcomes. Thus, it informs us that the concerned stakeholders have to take responsibility to minimise its negative impact, which in turn enhances the positive outcome.

Automated summary

Tourism is a significant industry that impacts human life, where the interaction between culture and tourism can have both positive and negative outcomes. The impact of tourism on culture has become a popular topic among scholars, as it can either enhance cultural diversity or lead to the destruction of destination communities' cultures. This study focuses on understanding communities' perceptions of the negative cultural impact of tourism. The findings indicate that tourism has led to the commoditization of society's culture, erosion of local communities' socio-cultural assets, and the production of inauthentic products, emphasizing the need for responsible stakeholders to minimize negative impacts.