Module 4 - Tourism and Culture

Question 1

List any five characteristics or habits of tourists from Mainland China.

Answer 1

1. Travel Style: Prefer large organized group tours
2. Accomodation: Luxury accommodations in brand hotels
3. Shopping: Luxury goods, bulk buying, local products, and souvenirs.
4. Activities: Iconic attractions, must-see landmarks
5. Social Interaction: Reserved, stay within group
6. Tech Reliance: High; rely on apps like WeChat Pay, Alipay, and tools for navigation and translation.

T-A-S-A-S + Tech Reliance

Question 2

List any five characteristics or habits of British tourists.

Answer 2

1. Travel Style: Prefer self-organized trips or flexible packages.
2. Accomodation: Prefer budget-concious comfort
3. Shopping: Affordable souvenirs and practical items
4. Activities: Historical landmarks, art, and sunny getaways
5. Social Interaction: Sociable and friendly
6. English Reliance: Rely on English for communication.
7. Punctuality: Value timeliness and expect activities to start on time.

T-A-S-A-S + Reliance on English, Puncuality

Question 3

List any five characteristics or habits of Japanese tourists.

Answer 3

1. Travel Style: Solo or small groups
2. Accomodation: Cleanliness, organization
3. Shopping: Minimal, focus on cultural souvenirs
4. Activities: Cultural immersion (history, culture, customs), nature, and traditional arts
5. Social Interaction: Courteous, respectful, polite and mindful of social etiquette.
6. Punctuality: Value timeliness and expect activities to start on time.
7. Detail-Oriented: Organized and attentive to schedules, maps, and customs.

T-A-S-A-S + Punctuality and Detail-Orientation

Question 4

List any five characteristics or habits of American tourists.

Answer 4

1. Travel Style: Solo or nuclear family units
2. Accomodation: Prefer spacious, comfortable accommodations with modern amenities
3. Shopping: Value-oriented, occasional splurges. Focus on deals
4. Activities: Outdoor adventures, sports, diverse experiences
5. Social Interaction: Outgoing, eager to interact with locals and fellow travelers
6. Tech-Savvy: moderate; use apps for navigation, bookings, and communication.

T-A-S-A-S + Tech-Savy

Question 5

Non-verbal communication is sometimes more direct and powerful than verbal communication. What should a tourist guide note when using hand gestures to communicate with the visitors? Give any three points to note.

Answer 5

1. Cultural Awareness: Be mindful of cultural differences in gestures to prevent misunderstandings.
2. Clarity: Use simple, clear gestures that are easy to interpret.
3. Support Verbal Communication: Ensure gestures complement and reinforce your message.

Question 6

Edward T. Hall, a respected anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher, identified two classic dimensions of culture: high-context and low-context cultures. Explain the differences between the two cultures.

Answer 6

1. High-Context Cultures:
   * Communication is indirect,
   * relying on nonverbal cues,
   * shared experiences, and the
   * context of the conversation.

Examples: Japan, China, Arab and Latin American cultures.

2. Low-Context Cultures:
   * Communication is direct,
   * explicit, and clear, with
   * less reliance on the surrounding context.

Examples: United States, Germany, Scandinavia.

Question 7

There are various dietary taboos for different religious beliefs and customs. List the dietary taboos of the religious followers below:
i) Buddhist
ii) Muslim

Buddhist: 4 bulletpoints // Muslim: 4 Bulletpoints

Answer 7

I. Buddhist Dietary Taboos:
* Avoid Meat Consumption
* Alcohol is generally prohibited
* Avoid Onions, Garlic, and Strong Spices
* Discourage Overeating

II. Muslim Dietary Taboos:
* Pork is strictly prohibited
* Halal Meat: Muslims are only allowed to eat meat that has been slaughtered according to halal (permissible) methods.
* Alcohol is prohibited
* No eating or drinking during daylight in the month of Ramadan.

Question 8

There are various dietary taboos for different religious beliefs and customs. List the dietary taboos of the religious followers below:
i) Hindus
ii) Jewish

Hindus: 5 bulletpoints // Jewish 5 bulletpoints

Answer 8

I. Hindu Dietary Taboos:
* Beef consumption is strictly avoided.
* Alcohol is generally avoided.
* Consumption of Meat and Fish is often avoided (Many Hindus follow a vegetarian diet)
* Consumption of Onion and Garlic is avoided by some Hindus
* Fasting and Abstinence during religious observances

II. Jewish Dietary Taboos:
* Consumption of Pork is forbidden
* Shellfish and Non-Kosher Seafood are prohibited.
* Mixing Meat and Dairy is prohibited
* Unkosher Meat: Animals must be slaughtered according to Jewish dietary laws.
* Wine must be produced by Jewish people and meet specific kosher standards.