The Power Dynamics of Mass Toursim

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we welcome them to the party and wish them bon voyage,” Airbnb spokesman Chris Lehane said.

In the world of home-sharing, Airbnb has long been the star of the show. The San Francisco start-up allows homeowners to open up their homes to travelers to rent and stay in. Travelers may book a room or even the whole house.

Last year, Marriott hotels tested a homes and villa rental service in Europe. With much success, the hotel group has expanded this division - starting the new Marriott Hotels and Villas across the world. Starting next week, Marriott rewards members may book one of its 2,000 high end homes to stay in during their trip in North America, Europe, or Latin America. Members will be able to earn and redeem loyalty points (WSJ).

Marriott’s European pilot program extends to Paris, including this three-bedroom home. Marriott | The Wall Street Journal

In a recent interview with Bloomberg Television, Marriott Chief executive Arne Sorenson stated that “ “We’re not really in the bottom part of the market — our business is never going to be to provide the cheapest stay.” (LA Times). As Lorraine Wileo, a senior vice president at the travel research firm Phocuswright put it, “Hotel-branded homes, may appeal to travelers who want the assurance of “cleanliness, security and amenities and don’t want a cookie-cutter hotel but aren’t ready to share an apartment with a stranger” (The NYT).

Regardless of the level of luxury the homes the Marriott is opening are, the move into home rental business validates the legitimacy of Airbnb. Airbnb is here to stay and all hotel groups should be aware. In next year, Airbnb is planning to pursue its IPO and hotel businesses are trying to get a piece of the home-sharing pie before the IPO helps Airbnb solidify its footing (WSJ).

The Lough Cutra Castle in Galway, Ireland, one of the rental properties available with the new Homes & Villas program. Marriott International | The New York Times

The empire of the hotel business is a force to be reckoned with. Although it may be a stretch, hotels are like a form of colonization. Beautiful resort hotels popping up in island nations may seem like the best form of a retreat or vacation. Tourism is seen to boost the economy of the nation. Thus, many developing nations will often market themselves as “your ultimate getaway.” These luxury hotels create jobs and the new facilities and infrastructure (ie. roads, phone lines) helps the locals as well. However, mass tourism does not actually help the local population. The money doesn’t go to the local communities. It goes back to the big businesses.

According to BBC News, mass tourism has many flaws. Jobs that are created tend to be only seasonal and poorly paid. Moreover, since tourists tend to be more wealthy than the local population, prices are inflated in shops. Fruit that may actually cost $2 is now $10 -- converted to whatever currency the tourist uses may be affordable; however, it is quite the same for the local.

My sister, father, grandmother, and I in Hawaii.

As a child, my family took me to Hawaii. At the luau, I didn’t think much of the dancers on stage performing their traditional Polynesian dance. I was just like the rest of the tourists sitting on the large tables eating poi without really knowing what it was - just that it was a traditional Hawaiian staple. Looking back, the whole thing was a show catered to the uncultured tourists who wanted to feel like they were these Polynesian dancers shaking their hips on stage. Did they know that Hawaii was forcibly taken over from Queen Liliuokalani? Did they know that the coup was led by a group of American businessmen and sugar planters who did it to support their own personal, financial, and political interests?

I find it ironic that we pay to watch the same people we oppressed and denied them of their culture to perform their traditional dances, make their native foods, and cater to our whims. It really is a form of domination through the power dynamics created. We bring the islanders civilization and tell them their practices are barbaric. But decades later, we turn their culture into a show, a gimmick to attract more tourists to make more money for the hotels and businesses. It’s actually really clever. The unassuming tourist thinks he or she is giving back to the local community when in fact he or she is supporting the huge tourist scam. But I digress.

Polynesian Dance Showcase

Am I saying we shouldn’t travel anywhere? No. But I am saying that when we do travel to foreign lands, we should be more mindful of where we stay and where we buy from. Where is your money going to? Who are you really supporting? The hotels that appeared to take advantage of the crystal clear seas and snowy sand? Or the local peoples who are trying to make a living in the new given environment.

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“Americans Overthrow Hawaiian Monarchy.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Feb. 2010, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/americans-overthrow-hawaiian-monarchy.

Bloomberg. “Marriott Expands Home-Sharing Business to U.S. as Hotels React to Airbnb.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2019, www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-marriott-homesharing-airbnb-20190429-story.html.

Glusac, Elaine. “A New Marriott Division Goes Head-to-Head With Airbnb.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 29 Apr. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/travel/marriott-airbnb-homeshare-luxury.html.

Karmin, Craig. “Marriott to Take On Airbnb in Booming Home-Rental Market.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 29 Apr. 2019, www.wsj.com/articles/marriott-to-take-on-airbnb-in-booming-home-rental-market-11556535600?mod=trending_now_2.

“Tourism - Revision 3 - KS3 Geography - BBC Bitesize.” BBC News, BBC, www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zqk7hyc/revision/3.