LE3 .A278 1997

1997

Thomson, Tony

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Sociology

Sociology

This thesis explores the relationship between tourism in Cuba and changes in tourists' value stances. The differential impact on value stances with respect to Cuba of two types of tours to Cuba are assessed in the context of the tourists' prior expectations. The central intent of this exploration is to begin to promote forms of tourism in Cuba that best enable a positive value stance towards the Cuban people, Cuban society and the ongoing Cuban revolution. Both participant observation and interviews provide the means to assess the two tours to Cuba. The major findings of this thesis were that tourists' value stances are influenced by prior expectations of the place they are visiting and, in resort areas, by the negative experiences they encounter with tourism rather than the actual country they are visiting. Tourists on the first tour were found to be more influenced by the negative aspects of tourism such as prostitution and panhandling and on the second tour by the group dynamics and pre-conceived ideas they had about Cuba. It was found that simply designing a tour intended to foster better relationships between the country being visited and the one tourists are from is not the only solution. The thesis concludes with some grounded suggestions for more rigorous research into this topic. Research and development of theory and methodology in areas relating to both tourism in Cuba and impact assessments on tourists was found to be sorely lacking and in great need of more integrated theory and analysis from across various disciplines. Hopefully this paper will encourage other social analysts to explore the social, cultural and political consequences of tourism and its various impacts.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2827