TOURISM, EXPRESSION OF FREEDOM IN THE GLOBAL ERA

• Published in: International Journal for Responsible Tourism 2013-04, Vol.2 (3), p.45
• Main Authors: Negut, Silviu, Neacsu, Marius-Cristian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Communism; Dictionaries; Economic activity; Freedom of movement; Freedoms; Globalization; Holidays & special occasions; Power; Revolutions; Society; Studies; Tourism; Travel
• ISSN: 2285-7958

This study is a qualitative analysis of the tourism phenomenon., with respect to the circumstances the geopolitical factor brings forth to it. Tourism is not only an economic activity, generally regarded as a services industry, but also an expression of individual freedom. What is the borderline where tourism, as a social phenomenon (a "tourist tide" of over a billion people moves on the planet annually), and the power game that is confining the freedom of movement meet? Implosion of communism, expanding Euro-Atlantic structures, as a guarantee of the freedom of movement, the unique currency, elimination of visa for crossing the boards, were equally adjoined by geopolitically restrictive events: international terrorism enhancement (longer time spent into the security filter at airports), "warning wars", revolutions, kind like "Arab Spring" (generating world touristic heritage damage and restrictions of freedom of movement) etc. Paradoxically, both factors - the global tourism as a phenomenon and power games - were intensified by globalization. There is a deceitful effect: the more easily you get the information (aggregated information), or get to move in a more free way (globalization of movement), or make the payments easier (aggregated transactions and currency), the more phenomena get accelerated, such as crime (terrorism globalization), social insecurity (globalization of revolutions), fraud (extortion globalization) etc. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]