Tourism & travel can affect both society and human brain. The effects are evident generally in human population’s way of life.
Tourism is one of the largest sources of economic development and revenues of a country. It is a rapidly growing sector of the global economy and is implemented as an effective public policy tool for the creation and development of social and cultural intimacy, both nationally and internationally.
Tourism can have many positive effects on a society. The primary economic benefit is job creation. Studies by the World Tourism Organization have shown that the impact of tourism on a national economy as a whole can be assessed by its economic objectives.
Tourism is essentially a tool on the basis of which industries are developed, thus forming a specialized type of export market, where the consumer comes in contact with the search for products.
Chryssa Kaltsoni- Tourism & Travel: The impact on society and the human brain
With the development of tourism, vocational rehabilitation increases, resulting in the decrease of unemployment levels. In turn, this leads to the increase of the standard of living for the people of each region. Investments in the tourism sector, in general, are dynamically enhancing the creation of many small businesses, thus increasing tax revenues.
In addition, infrastructure projects such as roads, airports and ports are being improved, as is easier transport of both individuals and trade commodities. Furthermore, the heritage and culture of a country, city or island are promoted, thereby making known to others their respective traditions and history.
It is important to note that the higher the tourism in an area, the lower the crime rates. This is attributed to increased market movement, which leads to increased economic flow. In turn, this results in improved social organization, greater vocational rehabilitation, the advancement of educational systems, the reduction of stress levels, while people are also demanding an improved quality of life, in general. In addition, environmental protection is enhanced, as local prosperity is promoted and cultural values are preserved and strengthened. In other words, tourism development is correlated with sustainable tourism. This means that its primary role is the protection of the social, cultural and natural environment.
It is noteworthy that through tourism and, specifically, travel, people benefit on an individual level.
Traveling helps people expand their horizons, as they increase their creative abilities. Research has shown that when a person travels and changes environments, the neurons of the brain are affected by the new environment, as they are sensitive to new stimuli, such as sounds, images and tastes.
After all, it is no coincidence that many individuals, well known or otherwise, have been inspired by the trips they have taken, as there are many examples of people who, while traveling, have written works, books or developed new innovative ideas for the organization or company for which they work. Also, travel and contact with new cultures and civilizations increase the plasticity and depth of thought of the brain.
The plasticity of the brain is the ability to change its structure and function. That is, it allows the brain to recuperate and restructure, recovering various disorders or damage that the person may experience in daily life. There are many studies that have shown that when people, who suffer from a serious mental disorder, travel and come in contact with new stimuli, exhibit decreased stress levels, as they come into greater contact with their inner self. The more creative a person feels, the most balanced dopamine receptors (Dopamine – D2) are in the brain chamber.
Dopamine deficiency leads to conditions and symptoms such as depression and schizophrenia. The cognitive flexibility of the brain is, in conclusion, the ability of the mind to jump to new ideas and create new data, as occurs through the stimuli we receive during a journey. In this manner, it is further demonstrated the extent to which travel benefits the human brain function and the individual mental processes, which help us to receive and store new information about the environment.
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