Should Tourism be considered a Human Right?
Author: Sandisiwe Mguni
2 Commentries
Should people be given the right to travel without the use of visas etc...?We now have what is called acceptable tourists and those seen as dodgy.
Human rights where adopted in 1948 by the UN General Assembly (Cole and Morgan, 2011). By law people are given the rights to equality, well being, health, as well as rights to privacy. People are able to take part in various cultures, religion and education. It is also in people's rights to move freely to travel (Cole and Morgan, 2011).
However ,In the last decade there has been a distinction between the way in which immigrants, 'asylum seekers, refugees and tourists serves as an introduction to the tensions, contradictions and debates surrounding the freedom of movement, the right to travel and the permeability of borders (Bianchi, 2009).
Tourism undermines the rights of the people when it comes to 'tourists' visiting a destination (Cole and Ericksson, 2011). According to Picket et al., (2010) we now have what is called a good citizen who is 'framed', or set up, by political and academic observers.
Ever-since 9/11 their attitude towards tourists visiting a country has led to tight visa restrictions. According to Neiman and Swagel (2009), the US government enhances a range of border security policies that affect visitors who require a visa to enter the country. All travellers are security checked. This includes an examination of their passports; luggage on their arrival into the United States.
Furthermore, security checks not only affect those with visas but everyone as a whole. For instance visitors to America who do not need a visa will now need to be registered with the government online. This is a security regulation that has been put into place (BBC, 2008). This can make travel less pleasant and raises the question on our human rights are being violated. It has come to a point were we can all be accused of being suspects without having done anything.
Other instances involve countries with a less favorable view of the United States who entered with a lower frequency following the 9/11 attacks, compared with before the attacks (Neiman and Swagel, 2009). Many articles suggest that the view of the 9/11 attacks worsened with Muslim communities in that, there have been large decline in entries opposed to other countries that also require visas (Neiman and Swagel, 2009).
This has led to a continuation of racism and the discrimination against the 'minority' communities within the 'West'. It also brings attention to the often complex and contradictory relationship between mobility, leisure travel and the citizenship in the contemporary globalizing order (Bianchi, 2009).
Moreover, tourism can be favorable; If visa restrictions or barriers are removed it will ease accessibility and give access to refugees who have feelings of alienation and are often harassed by the receiving state (Nawyn, 2008). This can have a huge impact on promoting cultural exchange amongst people of different nations. This will enhance a greater understanding between people of different races (Satani, 2003-2004).
Further more it can increase accessibility for students traveling on the basis of education. Tourism access will allow visitors the right to establish themselves with better positions abroad. It will also help eliminate random checks on non-white and ethnic minority.
In contrast to issuing of visas and having a tight security system, will help ensure safety of tourists. According to Vishnevskii (2010), "People are very worried about unlawfulness and disorderliness, but at the same time living according to the law is not attractive to them" (p.68). Therefore if people were give the right to travel without acquiring a visa. It would attract more criminals, terrorists, and all kinds of people. This could maximize potential risk of visitors and increase suspicion (Simpson, 2011). Moreover, if a lot of people go to one place it may cause an influx of people. The country becomes over populated with people using up all its resources.
Furthermore the use of issuing a visa can be of favor to the locals. This helps reduce the number of visitors to a country. According to George and Varghese (2007) "Tourism becomes the gratification of "self "at the expense of "other" (p.41) .For instance local residents at a destination may find that their human rights are being violated by visitors i.e. locals may not be able to access certain areas which are only open to tourists. This can lead to tensions between locals and tourists.
In addition, even though the argument for visa restrictions and tightened border controls still exists and continues to affect tourist's intentions to visit a destination. These issues are likely to continue if they are not properly dealt with. Especially in restricting people that political freedom to travel. As long as it is done properly there could be potential for change and freedom of right. With that being said it is impossible to know the true extent of human rights as tourists. We cannot afford to stay away from traveling as this leaves various destinations more isolated and vulnerable. Therefore they should be alternatives for change in accessibility.
References
Bianchi,R. (2009). Tourism and Citizenship: a critical reflection on rights,freedoms and priveldges in a mobile world. International Studies.
Neiman,B and Swagel,P. (2009). The Impact of Post-9/11 Visa Policies on Travel to the United States. University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 1 (1), 1-36.
Cole,S and Eriksson,J. (2010). Tourism and human rights. Tourism and Inequality: Problems and Prospects. 1 (1), 1-24.
Human rights where adopted in 1948 by the UN General Assembly (Cole and Morgan, 2011). By law people are given the rights to equality, well being, health, as well as rights to privacy. People are able to take part in various cultures, religion and education. It is also in people's rights to move freely to travel (Cole and Morgan, 2011).
However ,In the last decade there has been a distinction between the way in which immigrants, 'asylum seekers, refugees and tourists serves as an introduction to the tensions, contradictions and debates surrounding the freedom of movement, the right to travel and the permeability of borders (Bianchi, 2009).
Tourism undermines the rights of the people when it comes to 'tourists' visiting a destination (Cole and Ericksson, 2011). According to Picket et al., (2010) we now have what is called a good citizen who is 'framed', or set up, by political and academic observers.
Ever-since 9/11 their attitude towards tourists visiting a country has led to tight visa restrictions. According to Neiman and Swagel (2009), the US government enhances a range of border security policies that affect visitors who require a visa to enter the country. All travellers are security checked. This includes an examination of their passports; luggage on their arrival into the United States.
Furthermore, security checks not only affect those with visas but everyone as a whole. For instance visitors to America who do not need a visa will now need to be registered with the government online. This is a security regulation that has been put into place (BBC, 2008). This can make travel less pleasant and raises the question on our human rights are being violated. It has come to a point were we can all be accused of being suspects without having done anything.
Other instances involve countries with a less favorable view of the United States who entered with a lower frequency following the 9/11 attacks, compared with before the attacks (Neiman and Swagel, 2009). Many articles suggest that the view of the 9/11 attacks worsened with Muslim communities in that, there have been large decline in entries opposed to other countries that also require visas (Neiman and Swagel, 2009).
This has led to a continuation of racism and the discrimination against the 'minority' communities within the 'West'. It also brings attention to the often complex and contradictory relationship between mobility, leisure travel and the citizenship in the contemporary globalizing order (Bianchi, 2009).
Moreover, tourism can be favorable; If visa restrictions or barriers are removed it will ease accessibility and give access to refugees who have feelings of alienation and are often harassed by the receiving state (Nawyn, 2008). This can have a huge impact on promoting cultural exchange amongst people of different nations. This will enhance a greater understanding between people of different races (Satani, 2003-2004).
Further more it can increase accessibility for students traveling on the basis of education. Tourism access will allow visitors the right to establish themselves with better positions abroad. It will also help eliminate random checks on non-white and ethnic minority.
In contrast to issuing of visas and having a tight security system, will help ensure safety of tourists. According to Vishnevskii (2010), "People are very worried about unlawfulness and disorderliness, but at the same time living according to the law is not attractive to them" (p.68). Therefore if people were give the right to travel without acquiring a visa. It would attract more criminals, terrorists, and all kinds of people. This could maximize potential risk of visitors and increase suspicion (Simpson, 2011). Moreover, if a lot of people go to one place it may cause an influx of people. The country becomes over populated with people using up all its resources.
Furthermore the use of issuing a visa can be of favor to the locals. This helps reduce the number of visitors to a country. According to George and Varghese (2007) "Tourism becomes the gratification of "self "at the expense of "other" (p.41) .For instance local residents at a destination may find that their human rights are being violated by visitors i.e. locals may not be able to access certain areas which are only open to tourists. This can lead to tensions between locals and tourists.
In addition, even though the argument for visa restrictions and tightened border controls still exists and continues to affect tourist's intentions to visit a destination. These issues are likely to continue if they are not properly dealt with. Especially in restricting people that political freedom to travel. As long as it is done properly there could be potential for change and freedom of right. With that being said it is impossible to know the true extent of human rights as tourists. We cannot afford to stay away from traveling as this leaves various destinations more isolated and vulnerable. Therefore they should be alternatives for change in accessibility.
References
Bianchi,R. (2009). Tourism and Citizenship: a critical reflection on rights,freedoms and priveldges in a mobile world. International Studies.
Neiman,B and Swagel,P. (2009). The Impact of Post-9/11 Visa Policies on Travel to the United States. University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 1 (1), 1-36.
Cole,S and Eriksson,J. (2010). Tourism and human rights. Tourism and Inequality: Problems and Prospects. 1 (1), 1-24.