What is culture? Lederach (1995) defines culture as "the distributed knowledge and strategies created by the set of folks for perceiving, interpreting, expressing, and giving an answer to the sociable realities around them. " Whenever we think of culture, commonly we think customs, food, dialect, clothes, religious beliefs and habit. These traits can change as time passes if and when a particular place adapts or includes the culture of another. This may either have an optimistic or negative influence on the culture of that place.
Mumbai is located on the Salsette Island which is situated at the mouth area of Ulhas River off the western coastline of Maharashtra India in the coastal region known as the Konkan. Mumbai is categorised as a metropolis of India, under the jurisdiction of the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation. It involves two distinct regions, the Mumbai City Region and Mumbai Suburban Area. The town region is also commonly referred to as the Island City by most mass media publications.
There are numerous kinds of food that are indigenous to the talk about of Maharashtra. Many of which are available in roadside fast food. Other popular cuisines include Lebanese, Korean, Thai, Italian, Mexican and Chinese language. Mumbai is one of the most liberal towns in India, embracing ideas that might be considered taboo in other areas of the country. Mumbai's culture has been greatly influenced by european culture which gives many holidaymakers familiarity. Some could claim that Mumbai has already lost a whole lot of its culture to cosmopolitan culture.
Climate in Mumbai is warm and humid. You will find four seasons metropolis experiences. Through the months of Dec to Feb, cool weather prevails from December to Feb and warm weather from March to May. The monsoon season endures from June to Sept and is followed by the post-monsoon season, which continues through October and November, when the weather is again hot. Monthly temperatures vary from 91 degrees in May to 67 levels Fahrenheit in January. Total annual rainfall is approximately 70 ins with typically 24 occurring in July alone.
Before tourism development, Mumbai (formerly Bombay) was actually several seven islands on the Konkan coastline, occupied by Koli anglers. It wasn't until Sultan Muhamed Begada overran the islands, where Mumbai was colonized by the Hindus. A Portuguese traveller named Vasco da Gama was the first person to explore the route to Mumbai which led to the finding of the hawaiian islands and the episode by the Portuguese to capture the islands in 1534.
The Portuguese built a parish, several forts and churches, but noticed there is no value in them. In 1661, Catherine of Braganza, sister of the Portuguese Ruler, offered these islands as a surprise to Charles II of Great britain. Having no use for the hawaiian islands, Charles II leased them to the English East India Company in 1661. This is the beginning of British guideline. This trading company built docks, trading content, and forts because of its proper location.
Mumbai developed into an important trading post. Governer Gerald Aungier persuaded entrepreneurs from all over the country to come and settle in Mumbai. Mumbai developed into a major commercial center. Within the 18th century, human population increased significantly and by the 19th century there is construction of structures, monuments, railway channels, offices, banks. With all the introduction of the Great Indian Peninsular Railways, the city received a better means of travelling.
After India's independence from British rule in 1947, India was restructured into Bombay status. In 1960 when, Maharashtra condition arrived to existence, Bombay, now Mumbai became the capital.
There are positive effects tourism can have over a destination. One of these is the host areas' residents posting their culture in addition to those browsing the communities. Other benefits can include the host may include community delight, tolerance and a stronger sense of cultural personality (Velachis, 2010). The other results of tourism will be the social exchange, the resurgence of local practices, and an improved image for the city.
The conception of India to westerners is of an incredible destination. Then there negative images still associated with it such as poverty, poor health, sanitation, and poor infrastructure (Jafari, 2000). Tourism in Mumbai could have a positive effect on the city as it could break the stereotypical conception of India. Mumbai is the definition of metropolitan India. It could be said that Mumbai the brand new York of India, as it is the location that never sleeps using its residents leading a fast-paced life and high climb structures.
The involvement of the neighborhood communities can be an essential aspect for visitor satisfaction. The hosts for tourism will be the local community plus they participate immediately in the travel and leisure experience, helping to establish the sense of place and atmosphere of locations (Arzeni, 2009). The support of the neighborhood community is essential in developing social experiences for tourists. Since the success of the film, Slumdog Millionaire, slum travel and leisure has been a growing fascination in India. The Dharavi slum, positioned in Mumbai, is the most significant slum in Asia. This Slumdog setting up is exactly what grew people's curiosity. Slum travel and leisure can have a positive impact by bringing out the positive part of the slums and dispelling the negative. Besides the obvious economic benefits it brings, it can provide tourists some perception to their lives and create awareness of the situation. Despite the poverty and its bleak appearance, folks moving into these slums are hard working with a strong heart and sense of community (Ward, 2010). It can change the preconceived notion they may have had about these slums.
It can be seen as a confident that there surely is a blend of Mumbai culture as well as Western culture. Many local people in Mumbai enjoy both these culture. Many celebrations placed in Mumbai allow vacationers to truly have a look into the Mumbai culture because they're able to remember along with the locals while at exactly the same time interacting with them. This mutual relation stimulates a cross-cultural communication that can support understanding between your host and friends (Valachis, 2009). Residents alike are informed about the entire world outside without going out of their homes, while tourists learn considerably in regards to a unique culture.
Another positive results that tourism brings is to Mumbai's market. The complete country of India is dependent on travel and leisure, as travel and leisure is its largest service industry. Tourism in Mumbai has offered as a tool for income and occupation era, lessoning poverty and lasting human being development. It contributes 6. 23% to the national GDP and 8. 78% of the total occupation in India (Travel and leisure Figures, 2008). Business tourism is quickly growing and based on the World Travel and Tourism Council, an international tourism trade firm, Indian business tourism will add over $14. 2 billion to the current economic climate in 2011. Not merely does this advantage the economy, it'll allow business traveller a glimpse of Mumbai's culture and present the possibility to explore diverse activities in juxtaposition to their business agendas.
The common effects in the vacation spot happen from the visitor activities. These effects include the revitalization or commoditization, the commercialization of traditional ethnicities, the increased loss of ethnical authenticity, the devastation of the history and historical sites by the swarming of visitors.
It can be argued the particular one of the strongest symptoms of such influences is the increased loss of native language therefore associated with an invasion of holiday dialects (Velachis, 2009). The official language of the city of Mumbai is Marathi with only 42% of the population who are fluent. Apart from Hindi being one of the major languages in Mumbai, British in prevalent. As business travel and leisure in India boosts, English is widely spoken in commercial communication and the professional labor force (Fulton, 2009). Along with the major dialects of Hindi and British, Bombay Hindi was developed, a pidgin that is widely spoken in Mumbai incorporating Marathi, Hindi and British. The changes in words, has been associated in addition to changes in behaviour and behavior.
Other harmful influences travel and leisure can create are to its visitors attractions. The central aspect as to the reasons people travel. The Girgaum Chowpatty is one of the most famous public beach locations and one of the oldest beach locations in Mumbai. With the many hotels nearby, Chowpatty draws a lot of tourists. Residents of Babulnath which faces Chowpatty, dread that the traditions, sanctity and looks of the area will be flawed (Thanawala, 2006). Another appeal that is in danger is the Elephanta Caves, which was declared a global History Site by UNESCO. Elephanta's close proximity to Mumbai and international reputation as a masterpiece has come at an unsustainable degree of travel and leisure (Mink, 2009). There's been little effort at preserving the statues and poor audience control conducted by the government bodies. Because of this, the already harmed sculptures are at risk of further degradation.
According to Mathieson and Wall structure (1982), one of the major effects on culture vacation spot is the alteration of the material and non-material structures of local culture, which can be called revitalization or commoditization. The Mumbai Travel and leisure Development Corporation has generated numerous levels of festivals specifically to market tourism in the town. A number of ethnical activities including, boogie and music recitals are kept of these festivities in order for tourists to have the ability to take notice of the culture of Mumbai. Travel and leisure can change local cultures into commodities when spiritual rituals, traditional cultural rites and festivals are reduced and also to match to vacationer expectations.
When tourists get a holiday as a deal, in addition they purchase culture as a program. Despite how traditional or amalgamated the vacation spot culture is, it is lessoned to some recognizable distinctiveness. Samples such as arts and crafts, party, music, properties and celebrations or ceremonies are promoted as a product (Mathieson and Wall structure, 1982). The Elephanta Happening in Mumbai is a ethnic festival intended to honor and commemorate Indian dance, sculpture and art. It is a major attraction for locals as well as the neighboring city. What's suppose to a be tribute to traditional performers and an initiative to popularize Indian traditional dance and traditions art form found its main goal in trying to market tourism in the state, as it was prepared by the Maharashtra Travel and leisure Development Firm.
Another negative impact that tourism creates in the culture of the destination is usually that the put the wishes and interest of the vacationer without regard to the locals who may have had family members and friends that were killed. This was another way for the location to make profit. A tragic event took place on November 26, 2008 when the terrorist problems demolished monuments and wounded and killed hundreds of people. This event struck a new found "terror travel and leisure. " (Shatterjee, 2008). Travelers congregate to the monuments of the Taj hotel, Gateway of India, Cama hospital and Nariman house, which were under terror attacks. Visible bullet marks on walls, windows and roofs, broken regions and reinstated buildings. There's been an increase of local travellers and foreign travelers to Mumbai due to this terror travel and leisure. There are even tour guides and companies that will give detailed descriptions on the occurrences and show the many places that were under the siege.
Although this terror tourism helped bring the in a couple of tourist, it can't be rejected the impact it got on India's travel and leisure industry. Not only did the strike affect leisure travel to Mumbai, it rippled through the complete country with cancellations of hotel bookings. Business travel has also affected the business enterprise tourism as many companies have asked employees to restrict happen to be India. The wake of this attack has absolutely impacted this vacation spot negatively.
While retaining the traditional image of ethnic tourism in India, diversification of the travel and leisure product would continue, mainly in the domains of leisure, trip and convention, thus responding to the changing consumer needs (Menon, 1993). Mumbai blends old traditions with new and modern culture. Mumbai is recognized as the business enterprise and entertainment capital and known for the enjoyable nightlife one can experience, but not for the historic monuments. Little effort was made in protecting the few monuments they already got. If tourists were looking for the old India, it could deter tourists to visit other areas of India, that could injured the image of Mumbai for being too commercialized. Mumbai is at the point of standardization. This implies the process of fulfilling visitors needs (Arzeni, 2009). The landscape, accommodation, food and refreshments, etc. , must meet the tourists' desire for the new and new, they must at the same time not be too new or strange because very little tourists actually want to see completely new things.
Aurangabad, another city in the point out of Maharashtra was known as the Tourism capital of Maharashtra. Like a great many other locations in Maharashtra, it is part of the urban sprawl that includes, Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur. Unlike Mumbai which has few historical sites, Aurangabad has is vacationer hub ornamented by many historical monuments and caves some of which can be UNESCO traditions sites. This may create competition for Mumbai who is constantly finding ways to improve tourism in the city. Recently, Mumbai has created 'fort travel and leisure' (Buch, 2011). These forts can attract more travelers, but have been poorly preserved and alternatively than being restored have been tampered with. Holidaymakers desire to be released to new culture. The culture of Aurangabad continues to be very much intact, contrast Mumbai who culture is deeply combined with western culture.
The city of Mumbai did a poor job at looking to maintain the few monuments they curently have. These monuments are a part of their heritage, nevertheless they make it appear they no longer have any pleasure in their own culture. This may also be said about the meals in Mumbai. As stated earlier, Mumbai offers cuisines from all around the globe, with Chinese language being most common. Based on the Travel Industry Relationship of America and the Country wide Restaurant Connection (2008), food is central to deciding holiday areas for at least 25% of leisure travelers. Mumbai has not made any work to market their food, which can be an aspect of their culture.
The status of Kerala, located in southwestern India could also create competition. Traveler looking for sunshine, sea, and sand can find it in this point out. Kerala was known as by National Geographic Traveler among the Ten Paradises of the World. Mumbai does offer sunlight, sea and fine sand from its famous Juhu Beach and Chowpatty. Regrettably, because of the severely polluted normal water, it is advised never to swim. Apart from being a paradise, why is Kerala unique is its ecotourism incentives, which it is well known for. Eco-friendly places can be considered a deciding factor as to the reasons people would choose one place over another. Mumbai is just about the new air pollution capital with the fast population growth and increase in number of automobiles. What could make Kerala more desired is its unique culture, as it were able to remain organic and natural and abundant with its heritage.
In many spots, the 'social industries' have been recognized as having an important relationship with travel and leisure. As tourism gradually shifts from its prior interest of landscapes and natural resources, vacationers have become more interested with the symbolic and sensory utilization of images and ideas associated with particular vacation spots (Arzeni, 2009). A good example would be Bollywood, or the Hindi theatre. It has turned into a major part of Mumbai culture. Like Hollywood is associated with L. A. , Bollywood is associated with Mumbai. Mumbai is the greatest film producer of Hindi film. Tour companies now offer Bollywood tour packages, which offer trips around Film City and in the studios, as well as the residents of Bollywood celebrities. It isn't a ancient site, neither is it monumental, but it is one of the very most popular attractions in Mumbai.
People want to go to places that are linked with particular celebrities, events, and they want to see the places and does sound. (Arzeni, 2009). Though not usually part of Indian culture and not found in other areas of India, Mumbai is well known for its exciting nightlife. An average particular date would be exploring one of the many bars and clubs the city provides. This is merely another example of how a coordinator community satisfied the traveler desire of familiar facilities. The fact that visitors just want a quick glance of the neighborhood atmosphere, a brief take a look at local life, and no awareness or even interest creates a reduction in authenticity which means adapting to the taste to the travelers needs rather than taking the time to seriously understand the local people and their culture.
Culture has been identified in several ways, but to to put it simply it, it is the learned and shared behavior of the community of interacting humans. When tourists occur to a destination, they bring their culture which is then learned and distributed by the host communities. Though there is absolutely no question that culture and tourism are related, it can strengthen the elegance and competitiveness of a place and once injure it. Mumbai is regularly finding ways to promote tourism to their city although they have already established themselves as a popular tourist vacation spot for both leisure and business travelers. What began as seven islands occupied by Koli fisherman, is rolling out into the one of the greatest and richest metropolitans on the globe. Travel and leisure is one of the major and fastest growing global travel and leisure market segments and countries that are dependent upon it will find ways to entice holidaymakers, even if it means modifying their culture to match the needs of the tourist. We see how negatively tourism make a difference the culture of one's community, but it addittionally has its positive aspect. Conversation with the neighborhood community can transform their notion about the place that they had before, dispel any negative stereotypes and are able to learn something about another culture.
