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Tourism and the force of change | Leonardo (Don) A.N. Dioko | TEDxUniversityofMacau


we’re back in business I’ve been having

we’re back in business I’ve been having a such a terrific time and

a such a terrific time and

a such a terrific time and congratulations to the organizers for

congratulations to the organizers for

congratulations to the organizers for putting this together tonight I’d like

putting this together tonight I’d like

putting this together tonight I’d like to talk to you about a different kind of

to talk to you about a different kind of

to talk to you about a different kind of force and it’s the force of tourism and

force and it’s the force of tourism and

force and it’s the force of tourism and it’s such a massive force that it’s

it’s such a massive force that it’s

it’s such a massive force that it’s affecting a lot of us in an individual

affecting a lot of us in an individual

affecting a lot of us in an individual sense and in also a bigger sense as much

sense and in also a bigger sense as much

sense and in also a bigger sense as much as the sense of our community I’d like

as the sense of our community I’d like

as the sense of our community I’d like to talk about tourism because it’s

to talk about tourism because it’s

to talk about tourism because it’s something that affects us all and it’s

something that affects us all and it’s

something that affects us all and it’s such a massive force in 1995 the U n W

such a massive force in 1995 the U n W

such a massive force in 1995 the U n W the U n WTO estimated that there were

the U n WTO estimated that there were

the U n WTO estimated that there were half a billion tourists around the world

half a billion tourists around the world

half a billion tourists around the world 20 years later the number more than

20 years later the number more than

20 years later the number more than doubled in 2015 it was estimated at one

doubled in 2015 it was estimated at one

doubled in 2015 it was estimated at one point two billion people travelled

point two billion people travelled

point two billion people travelled around the world and just think about

around the world and just think about

around the world and just think about that number it’s one in seven or about

that number it’s one in seven or about

that number it’s one in seven or about one in six roughly and that means one

one in six roughly and that means one

one in six roughly and that means one profound thing that we live amongst

profound thing that we live amongst

profound thing that we live amongst visitors that we live among strangers

visitors that we live among strangers

visitors that we live among strangers that one out of seven of every person

that one out of seven of every person

that one out of seven of every person that we meet actually come from another

that we meet actually come from another

that we meet actually come from another place and that’s a very profound thought

place and that’s a very profound thought

place and that’s a very profound thought but it’s also something that changes our

but it’s also something that changes our

but it’s also something that changes our experiences forever one other thing

experiences forever one other thing

experiences forever one other thing about these numbers is that more people

about these numbers is that more people

about these numbers is that more people now more than ever are traveling to more

now more than ever are traveling to more

now more than ever are traveling to more places more often and that means one big

places more often and that means one big

places more often and that means one big implication it means that our heritage

implication it means that our heritage

implication it means that our heritage sites our visitor attractions are all

sites our visitor attractions are all

sites our visitor attractions are all buckling under the weight of this

buckling under the weight of this

buckling under the weight of this massive force called tourism and it’s

massive force called tourism and it’s

massive force called tourism and it’s not just our Heritage Sites it’s not

not just our Heritage Sites it’s not

not just our Heritage Sites it’s not just our visitor attractions it’s also

just our visitor attractions it’s also

just our visitor attractions it’s also our cities and our community so think of

our cities and our community so think of

our cities and our community so think of this city called Venice a very famous

this city called Venice a very famous

this city called Venice a very famous City not the Venetian and it’s a very

City not the Venetian and it’s a very

City not the Venetian and it’s a very historic city and do you know that now

historic city and do you know that now

historic city and do you know that now there are more visitors in Venice on a

there are more visitors in Venice on a

there are more visitors in Venice on a particular day than there are residents

particular day than there are residents

particular day than there are residents and the reason is that there are these

and the reason is that there are these

and the reason is that there are these huge cruise

huge cruise

huge cruise very often dock on its ports and these

very often dock on its ports and these

very often dock on its ports and these gorgeous thousands of tourists on any

gorgeous thousands of tourists on any

gorgeous thousands of tourists on any given day and it’s caused a profound

given day and it’s caused a profound

given day and it’s caused a profound change a very very dramatic change in

change a very very dramatic change in

change a very very dramatic change in the way the city has run its course that

the way the city has run its course that

the way the city has run its course that in the life of the citizens of this of

in the life of the citizens of this of

in the life of the citizens of this of its city Venice now has changed so much

its city Venice now has changed so much

its city Venice now has changed so much that its shops has changed no longer

that its shops has changed no longer

that its shops has changed no longer serving so much the residents but so

serving so much the residents but so

serving so much the residents but so much more

much more

much more the visitors a lot of its residents

the visitors a lot of its residents

the visitors a lot of its residents can’t find housing because a lot of the

can’t find housing because a lot of the

can’t find housing because a lot of the accommodations are allocated for

accommodations are allocated for

accommodations are allocated for visitors and because of this a lot of

visitors and because of this a lot of

visitors and because of this a lot of the Venetians are actually up in arms

the Venetians are actually up in arms

the Venetians are actually up in arms and protesting against tourism that’s

and protesting against tourism that’s

and protesting against tourism that’s not it

not it

not it in some of the most popularly visited

in some of the most popularly visited

in some of the most popularly visited attractions all over the world people

attractions all over the world people

attractions all over the world people are actually saying enough of tourism we

are actually saying enough of tourism we

are actually saying enough of tourism we can’t take any more so this is Kailua a

can’t take any more so this is Kailua a

can’t take any more so this is Kailua a small town near where Barack Obama used

small town near where Barack Obama used

small town near where Barack Obama used to live and the people they are actually

to live and the people they are actually

to live and the people they are actually telling their state governments we don’t

telling their state governments we don’t

telling their state governments we don’t want any more tourists and there are

want any more tourists and there are

want any more tourists and there are other places like Barcelona where the

other places like Barcelona where the

other places like Barcelona where the people have actually become very violent

people have actually become very violent

people have actually become very violent towards tourism they have actually

towards tourism they have actually

towards tourism they have actually expressed very very in very obvious ways

expressed very very in very obvious ways

expressed very very in very obvious ways their antagonism towards tourists and

their antagonism towards tourists and

their antagonism towards tourists and even Barcelona’s mayor has actually said

even Barcelona’s mayor has actually said

even Barcelona’s mayor has actually said go away we don’t want any more tourists

go away we don’t want any more tourists

go away we don’t want any more tourists in Barcelona and it’s the series of

in Barcelona and it’s the series of

in Barcelona and it’s the series of events that actually has made the New

events that actually has made the New

events that actually has made the New York Times a couple of years ago sort of

York Times a couple of years ago sort of

York Times a couple of years ago sort of like identify a trend that’s occurring

like identify a trend that’s occurring

like identify a trend that’s occurring everywhere around the world and it’s

everywhere around the world and it’s

everywhere around the world and it’s this revolt against tourism and untied

this revolt against tourism and untied

this revolt against tourism and untied tourism trend and this is not all in

tourism trend and this is not all in

tourism trend and this is not all in places like Lisbon people have actually

places like Lisbon people have actually

places like Lisbon people have actually formed advocacy groups to oppose tourism

formed advocacy groups to oppose tourism

formed advocacy groups to oppose tourism and the kind of tourism that is

and the kind of tourism that is

and the kind of tourism that is inundating their city and I’m afraid

inundating their city and I’m afraid

inundating their city and I’m afraid there are also worse reactions to this

there are also worse reactions to this

there are also worse reactions to this massive force of tourism there’s this

massive force of tourism there’s this

massive force of tourism there’s this picturesque village of Cinque Terre in

picturesque village of Cinque Terre in

picturesque village of Cinque Terre in Italy in an island that has actually

Italy in an island that has actually

Italy in an island that has actually closed off their islands to anymore

closed off their islands to anymore

closed off their islands to anymore tourists before you can visit this

tourists before you can visit this

tourists before you can visit this island now you’re going to have to make

island now you’re going to have to make

island now you’re going to have to make prearranged pre-booked arrangements and

prearranged pre-booked arrangements and

prearranged pre-booked arrangements and it’s not just in Italy much closer to

it’s not just in Italy much closer to

it’s not just in Italy much closer to Macau is the island of koh tachai

Macau is the island of koh tachai

Macau is the island of koh tachai in thailand and the government

in thailand and the government

in thailand and the government authorities have recently closed off

authorities have recently closed off

authorities have recently closed off this island because it’s been degraded

this island because it’s been degraded

this island because it’s been degraded to the point where they believe that it

to the point where they believe that it

to the point where they believe that it can no longer recover from the onslaught

can no longer recover from the onslaught

can no longer recover from the onslaught of tourism that it has experienced over

of tourism that it has experienced over

of tourism that it has experienced over the years and in our own hometown of

the years and in our own hometown of

the years and in our own hometown of Macau our streets our narrow charming

Macau our streets our narrow charming

Macau our streets our narrow charming cobblestone streets were never really

cobblestone streets were never really

cobblestone streets were never really designed to handle too many tourists

designed to handle too many tourists

designed to handle too many tourists thousands of tourists Macau is actually

thousands of tourists Macau is actually

thousands of tourists Macau is actually a very charming City and its streets are

a very charming City and its streets are

a very charming City and its streets are very very historic but it’s hard to get

very very historic but it’s hard to get

very very historic but it’s hard to get that when it’s inundated and filled with

that when it’s inundated and filled with

that when it’s inundated and filled with visitors don’t you agree

visitors don’t you agree

visitors don’t you agree we seem to have lost the charm that

we seem to have lost the charm that

we seem to have lost the charm that actually draws tourists to Macau to

actually draws tourists to Macau to

actually draws tourists to Macau to visit and this is a picture that I think

visit and this is a picture that I think

visit and this is a picture that I think is iconic with the great problem that

is iconic with the great problem that

is iconic with the great problem that tourism is facing all around the world

tourism is facing all around the world

tourism is facing all around the world this is a small village a very magical

this is a small village a very magical

this is a small village a very magical village in the Mekong River and it’s the

village in the Mekong River and it’s the

village in the Mekong River and it’s the village of Luang Prabang and it’s a very

village of Luang Prabang and it’s a very

village of Luang Prabang and it’s a very Buddhist village with many Buddhist

Buddhist village with many Buddhist

Buddhist village with many Buddhist temples and here you have a picture of

temples and here you have a picture of

temples and here you have a picture of Buddhist monks going about their daily

Buddhist monks going about their daily

Buddhist monks going about their daily solemn practice of collecting alms from

solemn practice of collecting alms from

solemn practice of collecting alms from the people and yet you have tour buses

the people and yet you have tour buses

the people and yet you have tour buses this gorging tourists delivering

this gorging tourists delivering

this gorging tourists delivering tourists right in front of their faces

tourists right in front of their faces

tourists right in front of their faces it’s very very intrusive don’t you agree

it’s very very intrusive don’t you agree

it’s very very intrusive don’t you agree and so much so that the personal space

and so much so that the personal space

and so much so that the personal space of these Buddhist monks to be able to

of these Buddhist monks to be able to

of these Buddhist monks to be able to practice their long traditions their

practice their long traditions their

practice their long traditions their long-held traditions are actually very

long-held traditions are actually very

long-held traditions are actually very much disappearing or under threat I

much disappearing or under threat I

much disappearing or under threat I don’t know about you but this picture is

don’t know about you but this picture is

don’t know about you but this picture is very much like a stranger in my bathroom

very much like a stranger in my bathroom

very much like a stranger in my bathroom as I take a shower and it’s vivid and

as I take a shower and it’s vivid and

as I take a shower and it’s vivid and it’s that intrusive and it’s that

it’s that intrusive and it’s that

it’s that intrusive and it’s that powerful of force that tourism exerts on

powerful of force that tourism exerts on

powerful of force that tourism exerts on many communities on which it bears upon

many communities on which it bears upon

many communities on which it bears upon so I think the force of tourism is all

so I think the force of tourism is all

so I think the force of tourism is all about guests and hosts and how we

about guests and hosts and how we

about guests and hosts and how we interact in a better way now we can take

interact in a better way now we can take

interact in a better way now we can take a lot of visitors as long as we keep

a lot of visitors as long as we keep

a lot of visitors as long as we keep sort a certain kind of buffer zone

sort a certain kind of buffer zone

sort a certain kind of buffer zone between us and

between us and

between us and we can even become more closer and

we can even become more closer and

we can even become more closer and actually sometimes we like to risk we

actually sometimes we like to risk we

actually sometimes we like to risk we like to interact with them we would like

like to interact with them we would like

like to interact with them we would like to befriend them and actually have a cup

to befriend them and actually have a cup

to befriend them and actually have a cup of tea with them isn’t it

of tea with them isn’t it

of tea with them isn’t it but it’s when tourism gets out of hand

but it’s when tourism gets out of hand

but it’s when tourism gets out of hand and it invades our personal space that

and it invades our personal space that

and it invades our personal space that tourism no longer becomes a force for

tourism no longer becomes a force for

tourism no longer becomes a force for peace and understanding instead it

peace and understanding instead it

peace and understanding instead it becomes a force for hostility and

becomes a force for hostility and

becomes a force for hostility and conflict a long time ago my wife who was

conflict a long time ago my wife who was

conflict a long time ago my wife who was not my wife then taught me my first

not my wife then taught me my first

not my wife then taught me my first expression in Chinese which was saying

expression in Chinese which was saying

expression in Chinese which was saying in Houlton junuh which I don’t know what

in Houlton junuh which I don’t know what

in Houlton junuh which I don’t know what that that meant many many years ago but

that that meant many many years ago but

that that meant many many years ago but roughly translated in English I think it

roughly translated in English I think it

roughly translated in English I think it goes something like this that it’s great

goes something like this that it’s great

goes something like this that it’s great seeing you but I don’t want to sleep

seeing you but I don’t want to sleep

seeing you but I don’t want to sleep with you

with you

with you and and remember this just my wife

and and remember this just my wife

and and remember this just my wife before before we got married and she was

before before we got married and she was

before before we got married and she was saying it so I I think she was sending

saying it so I I think she was sending

saying it so I I think she was sending me a message that I was intruding upon

me a message that I was intruding upon

me a message that I was intruding upon her personal space but I think before

her personal space but I think before

her personal space but I think before you conclude that tourism is a force for

you conclude that tourism is a force for

you conclude that tourism is a force for harm and it’s a destructive force please

harm and it’s a destructive force please

harm and it’s a destructive force please hold that thought because there are many

hold that thought because there are many

hold that thought because there are many places around the world that needs

places around the world that needs

places around the world that needs tourism there are many communities that

tourism there are many communities that

tourism there are many communities that actually thirst for the kind of visitors

actually thirst for the kind of visitors

actually thirst for the kind of visitors that we receive here in Macau this is a

that we receive here in Macau this is a

that we receive here in Macau this is a museum somewhere in the villages north

museum somewhere in the villages north

museum somewhere in the villages north of Bali Island it’s in oil and this is a

of Bali Island it’s in oil and this is a

of Bali Island it’s in oil and this is a museum that curates many historic

museum that curates many historic

museum that curates many historic Balinese traditional rice paintings and

Balinese traditional rice paintings and

Balinese traditional rice paintings and that was handed down by the parents of

that was handed down by the parents of

that was handed down by the parents of its present curator and the problem with

its present curator and the problem with

its present curator and the problem with this museum is that it hardly gets any

this museum is that it hardly gets any

this museum is that it hardly gets any visitation at all and the problem of the

visitation at all and the problem of the

visitation at all and the problem of the owner is that in order to preserve these

owner is that in order to preserve these

owner is that in order to preserve these Balinese paintings which are painted on

Balinese paintings which are painted on

Balinese paintings which are painted on rice paper he needs air conditioning and

rice paper he needs air conditioning and

rice paper he needs air conditioning and in order to pay for the air conditioning

in order to pay for the air conditioning

in order to pay for the air conditioning cost which is considerable

cost which is considerable

cost which is considerable he needs visitors and yet you have the

he needs visitors and yet you have the

he needs visitors and yet you have the islands of the island of bali and its

islands of the island of bali and its

islands of the island of bali and its surrounding areas receiving thousands of

surrounding areas receiving thousands of

surrounding areas receiving thousands of visitors and yet there are pockets that

visitors and yet there are pockets that

visitors and yet there are pockets that don’t receive any visitation at all in

don’t receive any visitation at all in

don’t receive any visitation at all in beijing one of the biggest

beijing one of the biggest

beijing one of the biggest contradictions of tourism in beijing is

contradictions of tourism in beijing is

contradictions of tourism in beijing is that beijing is one of the most often

that beijing is one of the most often

that beijing is one of the most often visited places on the planet and yet

visited places on the planet and yet

visited places on the planet and yet what’s happening to Beijing opera is

what’s happening to Beijing opera is

what’s happening to Beijing opera is it’s losing its audiences so much so

it’s losing its audiences so much so

it’s losing its audiences so much so that it can’t fund anymore its

that it can’t fund anymore its

that it can’t fund anymore its apprenticeship program that it can’t

apprenticeship program that it can’t

apprenticeship program that it can’t train new people take up the art of

train new people take up the art of

train new people take up the art of Beijing opera and where I come from in a

Beijing opera and where I come from in a

Beijing opera and where I come from in a small village where there are fishing

small village where there are fishing

small village where there are fishing fishing fishing folks what they did was

fishing fishing folks what they did was

fishing fishing folks what they did was in the past was to slaughter the biggest

in the past was to slaughter the biggest

in the past was to slaughter the biggest fish there is in the ocean they’re

fish there is in the ocean they’re

fish there is in the ocean they’re called whale sharks although they’re

called whale sharks although they’re

called whale sharks although they’re called whale sharks they’re not sharks

called whale sharks they’re not sharks

called whale sharks they’re not sharks at all they’re very very very gentle

at all they’re very very very gentle

at all they’re very very very gentle creatures and whereas before fishermen

creatures and whereas before fishermen

creatures and whereas before fishermen used to slaughter these for me that they

used to slaughter these for me that they

used to slaughter these for me that they can sell with the help of tourism they

can sell with the help of tourism they

can sell with the help of tourism they are now able to earn much more money by

are now able to earn much more money by

are now able to earn much more money by bringing visitors more closely to enjoy

bringing visitors more closely to enjoy

bringing visitors more closely to enjoy these beauty of the ocean and this is

these beauty of the ocean and this is

these beauty of the ocean and this is one of the reasons why tourism can also

one of the reasons why tourism can also

one of the reasons why tourism can also be a force for good so it it’s very

be a force for good so it it’s very

be a force for good so it it’s very important for us to find out what makes

important for us to find out what makes

important for us to find out what makes tourism so negative what makes it a

tourism so negative what makes it a

tourism so negative what makes it a repulsive instead of an attractive force

repulsive instead of an attractive force

repulsive instead of an attractive force well there’s the usual reasons of

well there’s the usual reasons of

well there’s the usual reasons of increasing income greater mobility and a

increasing income greater mobility and a

increasing income greater mobility and a rising middle class there’s also greater

rising middle class there’s also greater

rising middle class there’s also greater connectivity but there are also two

connectivity but there are also two

connectivity but there are also two other important factors that somehow

other important factors that somehow

other important factors that somehow destroys the tourism experience for all

destroys the tourism experience for all

destroys the tourism experience for all of us and one of these is the low cost

of us and one of these is the low cost

of us and one of these is the low cost transport and the low cost carriers that

transport and the low cost carriers that

transport and the low cost carriers that we often always enjoy ourselves don’t we

we often always enjoy ourselves don’t we

we often always enjoy ourselves don’t we but what it has done is that it has

but what it has done is that it has

but what it has done is that it has allowed us to travel far more than to

allowed us to travel far more than to

allowed us to travel far more than to understand the places that we travel to

understand the places that we travel to

understand the places that we travel to it has allows it has allowed us to

it has allows it has allowed us to

it has allows it has allowed us to experience touristic experiences before

experience touristic experiences before

experience touristic experiences before we can even learn anything about them

we can even learn anything about them

we can even learn anything about them I’m sure you’ve already probably booked

I’m sure you’ve already probably booked

I’m sure you’ve already probably booked a an air ticket for next year

a an air ticket for next year

a an air ticket for next year and that’s what low-cost carriers do

and that’s what low-cost carriers do

and that’s what low-cost carriers do they make us travel before we understand

they make us travel before we understand

they make us travel before we understand and there’s another insidious thing

and there’s another insidious thing

and there’s another insidious thing about low-cost travel it’s because

about low-cost travel it’s because

about low-cost travel it’s because whenever we receive guests it used to be

whenever we receive guests it used to be

whenever we receive guests it used to be that people will write you letters dear

that people will write you letters dear

that people will write you letters dear dawn I plan to visit you sometimes

dawn I plan to visit you sometimes

dawn I plan to visit you sometimes summer of next year and that’s great we

summer of next year and that’s great we

summer of next year and that’s great we welcome the the prospect of receiving

welcome the the prospect of receiving

welcome the the prospect of receiving guests but what we what we hate now what

guests but what we what we hate now what

guests but what we what we hate now what I really personally hate is somebody

I really personally hate is somebody

I really personally hate is somebody calling up dawn I’ll be there on Friday

calling up dawn I’ll be there on Friday

calling up dawn I’ll be there on Friday can you pick

can you pick

can you pick don’t you hate that and that I think

don’t you hate that and that I think

don’t you hate that and that I think destroys the prospects for tourism

destroys the prospects for tourism

destroys the prospects for tourism there’s another factor that destroys

there’s another factor that destroys

there’s another factor that destroys tourism which is social media because

tourism which is social media because

tourism which is social media because instead of us discovering travel on our

instead of us discovering travel on our

instead of us discovering travel on our own we tend to look at these must-see

own we tend to look at these must-see

own we tend to look at these must-see lists these to-do lists and this

lists these to-do lists and this

lists these to-do lists and this destroys something that’s very important

destroys something that’s very important

destroys something that’s very important part of tourism which is the art of

part of tourism which is the art of

part of tourism which is the art of getting lost in other words instead of

getting lost in other words instead of

getting lost in other words instead of discovering a place we simply tick off a

discovering a place we simply tick off a

discovering a place we simply tick off a list or did my friends go there I want

list or did my friends go there I want

list or did my friends go there I want to go there too

to go there too

to go there too and that’s a very very important part of

and that’s a very very important part of

and that’s a very very important part of the travel experience to actually feel

the travel experience to actually feel

the travel experience to actually feel lost I think social media has destroyed

lost I think social media has destroyed

lost I think social media has destroyed serendipity in our travel experience do

serendipity in our travel experience do

serendipity in our travel experience do you know what serendipity is serendipity

you know what serendipity is serendipity

you know what serendipity is serendipity is being surprised by joy and I think

is being surprised by joy and I think

is being surprised by joy and I think that’s what makes travel such a pleasant

that’s what makes travel such a pleasant

that’s what makes travel such a pleasant experience it’s actually getting lost

experience it’s actually getting lost

experience it’s actually getting lost and finding your way back but that is

and finding your way back but that is

and finding your way back but that is being destroyed by social media so a

being destroyed by social media so a

being destroyed by social media so a very important question dawns upon us

very important question dawns upon us

very important question dawns upon us all how do we tame this force well there

all how do we tame this force well there

all how do we tame this force well there are some strategies that as a community

are some strategies that as a community

are some strategies that as a community we do but I think the most important I

we do but I think the most important I

we do but I think the most important I will speak about later which is

will speak about later which is

will speak about later which is something that we can do on a personal

something that we can do on a personal

something that we can do on a personal basis one is that well we can just

basis one is that well we can just

basis one is that well we can just simply absorb all of these tourists

simply absorb all of these tourists

simply absorb all of these tourists which means building bigger facilities

which means building bigger facilities

which means building bigger facilities like border crossings building bigger

like border crossings building bigger

like border crossings building bigger airports building more roads the problem

airports building more roads the problem

airports building more roads the problem is that’s good if you’re a big country

is that’s good if you’re a big country

is that’s good if you’re a big country not so good if you’re an island or in a

not so good if you’re an island or in a

not so good if you’re an island or in a place like Macau where we have limited

place like Macau where we have limited

place like Macau where we have limited land isn’t it another strategy is to

land isn’t it another strategy is to

land isn’t it another strategy is to simply divert tourists we call this

simply divert tourists we call this

simply divert tourists we call this dispersion the problem with tourism is

dispersion the problem with tourism is

dispersion the problem with tourism is that it concentrates visitors on just a

that it concentrates visitors on just a

that it concentrates visitors on just a few areas and we call these islands or

few areas and we call these islands or

few areas and we call these islands or hotbeds of tourist activity and what it

hotbeds of tourist activity and what it

hotbeds of tourist activity and what it does is that it alters the city forever

does is that it alters the city forever

does is that it alters the city forever instead of spreading tourists all over

instead of spreading tourists all over

instead of spreading tourists all over getting lost amongst the beauty and

getting lost amongst the beauty and

getting lost amongst the beauty and charm of our city they’re all congested

charm of our city they’re all congested

charm of our city they’re all congested and crowded in just a few places and

and crowded in just a few places and

and crowded in just a few places and what this does it it actually destroys

what this does it it actually destroys

what this does it it actually destroys some community

some community

some community some communities succeed and some others

some communities succeed and some others

some communities succeed and some others don’t

don’t

don’t another possibility and one that we are

another possibility and one that we are

another possibility and one that we are practicing right now in Macau is to

practicing right now in Macau is to

practicing right now in Macau is to actually ask the question of how much

actually ask the question of how much

actually ask the question of how much tourism is too much this is a strategy

tourism is too much this is a strategy

tourism is too much this is a strategy of preemption and it and it boils down

of preemption and it and it boils down

of preemption and it and it boils down to a single idea which is finding that

to a single idea which is finding that

to a single idea which is finding that optimum balance not having two futurists

optimum balance not having two futurists

optimum balance not having two futurists but not having too much either so we

but not having too much either so we

but not having too much either so we have to find this magical on the range

have to find this magical on the range

have to find this magical on the range in which we can invite tourists to our

in which we can invite tourists to our

in which we can invite tourists to our city and serve them very very well and

city and serve them very very well and

city and serve them very very well and we ask this various questions on how to

we ask this various questions on how to

we ask this various questions on how to find out what is the optimum number of

find out what is the optimum number of

find out what is the optimum number of visitors that we can handle in Macau and

visitors that we can handle in Macau and

visitors that we can handle in Macau and we ask sort of questions like how is

we ask sort of questions like how is

we ask sort of questions like how is your quality of life how do you find the

your quality of life how do you find the

your quality of life how do you find the pollution in Macau how’s your income and

pollution in Macau how’s your income and

pollution in Macau how’s your income and how is your job is it stressful now and

how is your job is it stressful now and

how is your job is it stressful now and with this we can actually find as we do

with this we can actually find as we do

with this we can actually find as we do in our research at the centre where I

in our research at the centre where I

in our research at the centre where I work we actually find some relationship

work we actually find some relationship

work we actually find some relationship it’s a very significant relationship to

it’s a very significant relationship to

it’s a very significant relationship to be exact about the number of tourists

be exact about the number of tourists

be exact about the number of tourists that we get and the kind of quality of

that we get and the kind of quality of

that we get and the kind of quality of life that people get and what we

life that people get and what we

life that people get and what we discover is that there is a range of

discover is that there is a range of

discover is that there is a range of number that numbers that we can manage

number that numbers that we can manage

number that numbers that we can manage wherein we can say that there’s already

wherein we can say that there’s already

wherein we can say that there’s already too much tourists visiting Macau and

too much tourists visiting Macau and

too much tourists visiting Macau and remember it works both ways when we need

remember it works both ways when we need

remember it works both ways when we need more tourists than we need to promote

more tourists than we need to promote

more tourists than we need to promote Macau more it all boils down to

Macau more it all boils down to

Macau more it all boils down to marketing

marketing

marketing I am always wondering why our marketing

I am always wondering why our marketing

I am always wondering why our marketing and many other destinations marketing

and many other destinations marketing

and many other destinations marketing has one central message which is to come

has one central message which is to come

has one central message which is to come and visit I would like to see marketing

and visit I would like to see marketing

and visit I would like to see marketing and promotion of destinations that says

and promotion of destinations that says

and promotion of destinations that says don’t visit now it’s best to visit on

don’t visit now it’s best to visit on

don’t visit now it’s best to visit on some other time because we ourselves

some other time because we ourselves

some other time because we ourselves will get disappointed if we come to a

will get disappointed if we come to a

will get disappointed if we come to a destination spend all our hard-earned

destination spend all our hard-earned

destination spend all our hard-earned money and our leisure time and find that

money and our leisure time and find that

money and our leisure time and find that the whole place is filled with tourists

the whole place is filled with tourists

the whole place is filled with tourists isn’t it so it’s something that’s what

isn’t it so it’s something that’s what

isn’t it so it’s something that’s what that that what many people call

that that what many people call

that that what many people call sustainability I think there’s another

sustainability I think there’s another

sustainability I think there’s another thing that we can do in order to fix

thing that we can do in order to fix

thing that we can do in order to fix tourism instead of making it a force for

tourism instead of making it a force for

tourism instead of making it a force for destruction we can make it a force for

destruction we can make it a force for

destruction we can make it a force for construction instead of being a harmful

construction instead of being a harmful

construction instead of being a harmful force it can be a beneficial force

force it can be a beneficial force

force it can be a beneficial force and I think it all boils down to another

and I think it all boils down to another

and I think it all boils down to another thought which is to understand that we

thought which is to understand that we

thought which is to understand that we are part and parcel of this tourism

are part and parcel of this tourism

are part and parcel of this tourism force that we ourselves actually cause

force that we ourselves actually cause

force that we ourselves actually cause the negativity surrounding tourists and

the negativity surrounding tourists and

the negativity surrounding tourists and why is that because it all is related to

why is that because it all is related to

why is that because it all is related to our behavior as visitors how we travel

our behavior as visitors how we travel

our behavior as visitors how we travel when we travel and where we travel

when we travel and where we travel

when we travel and where we travel affects very much the destinations that

affects very much the destinations that

affects very much the destinations that we visit what we buy and what we eat I

we visit what we buy and what we eat I

we visit what we buy and what we eat I can’t for the likes of me understand why

can’t for the likes of me understand why

can’t for the likes of me understand why some people would eat who eat hamburgers

some people would eat who eat hamburgers

some people would eat who eat hamburgers in their home place with travel hours

in their home place with travel hours

in their home place with travel hours and thousands of miles and eat

and thousands of miles and eat

and thousands of miles and eat hamburgers in that destination so it’s

hamburgers in that destination so it’s

hamburgers in that destination so it’s very very surprising if you aren’t ready

very very surprising if you aren’t ready

very very surprising if you aren’t ready to eat the food of different cultures

to eat the food of different cultures

to eat the food of different cultures maybe you’re not ready to travel at all

maybe you’re not ready to travel at all

maybe you’re not ready to travel at all and I think this speaks a lot about how

and I think this speaks a lot about how

and I think this speaks a lot about how tourism really either builds up a place

tourism really either builds up a place

tourism really either builds up a place or damages a place and what we buy we

or damages a place and what we buy we

or damages a place and what we buy we should not be buying from large malls or

should not be buying from large malls or

should not be buying from large malls or shopping centers we should be going to

shopping centers we should be going to

shopping centers we should be going to the small and small businesses going to

the small and small businesses going to

the small and small businesses going to the street stalls and supporting local

the street stalls and supporting local

the street stalls and supporting local Goods and products and there’s one more

Goods and products and there’s one more

Goods and products and there’s one more thing how we can be a force for good or

thing how we can be a force for good or

thing how we can be a force for good or a force for evil in terms of tourism

a force for evil in terms of tourism

a force for evil in terms of tourism which is how we engage with the locals

which is how we engage with the locals

which is how we engage with the locals how we speak with them how we treat them

how we speak with them how we treat them

how we speak with them how we treat them with respect or with with courtesy and

with respect or with with courtesy and

with respect or with with courtesy and politeness and many times it’s simply

politeness and many times it’s simply

politeness and many times it’s simply how we dress as we travel unfortunately

how we dress as we travel unfortunately

how we dress as we travel unfortunately some people don’t dress at all which is

some people don’t dress at all which is

some people don’t dress at all which is what happened which is actually what

what happened which is actually what

what happened which is actually what happened to two pathetic pairs in

happened to two pathetic pairs in

happened to two pathetic pairs in Barcelona a couple of years back so

Barcelona a couple of years back so

Barcelona a couple of years back so these two drunken tourists went about

these two drunken tourists went about

these two drunken tourists went about their daily visiting around Barcelona in

their daily visiting around Barcelona in

their daily visiting around Barcelona in their birthday clothes and you can see

their birthday clothes and you can see

their birthday clothes and you can see the reaction from the residents viewing

the reaction from the residents viewing

the reaction from the residents viewing and this this picture is very iconic of

and this this picture is very iconic of

and this this picture is very iconic of the problem that we face in tourism

the problem that we face in tourism

the problem that we face in tourism today far more than the thousands of

today far more than the thousands of

today far more than the thousands of numbers of visitors is the few visitors

numbers of visitors is the few visitors

numbers of visitors is the few visitors that actually misbehave that behave in a

that actually misbehave that behave in a

that actually misbehave that behave in a disrespectful manner and if you think

disrespectful manner and if you think

disrespectful manner and if you think that’s rare well here’s another

that’s rare well here’s another

that’s rare well here’s another photograph there were a group of

photograph there were a group of

photograph there were a group of tourists who climbed Mount Kinabalu in

tourists who climbed Mount Kinabalu in

tourists who climbed Mount Kinabalu in sabah malaysia and after successfully

sabah malaysia and after successfully

sabah malaysia and after successfully climbing the summit first thing they did

climbing the summit first thing they did

climbing the summit first thing they did remove their clothes I don’t know about

remove their clothes I don’t know about

remove their clothes I don’t know about you what is it with young people

you what is it with young people

you what is it with young people removing their clothes isn’t it maybe

removing their clothes isn’t it maybe

removing their clothes isn’t it maybe they felt triumphant maybe they felt so

they felt triumphant maybe they felt so

they felt triumphant maybe they felt so happy having succeeded in climbing the

happy having succeeded in climbing the

happy having succeeded in climbing the mountain but let me ask you a question

mountain but let me ask you a question

mountain but let me ask you a question when you graduate and get your degree is

when you graduate and get your degree is

when you graduate and get your degree is your first action to tear off your

your first action to tear off your

your first action to tear off your clothes I do understand the travel is

clothes I do understand the travel is

clothes I do understand the travel is all about freedom isn’t it and maybe

all about freedom isn’t it and maybe

all about freedom isn’t it and maybe that’s what they felt you know when we

that’s what they felt you know when we

that’s what they felt you know when we feel free sometimes when we go back to

feel free sometimes when we go back to

feel free sometimes when we go back to our homes we remove our clothes isn’t it

our homes we remove our clothes isn’t it

our homes we remove our clothes isn’t it and I think that’s that’s there’s

and I think that’s that’s there’s

and I think that’s that’s there’s something understandable about that but

something understandable about that but

something understandable about that but what is striking about these events is

what is striking about these events is

what is striking about these events is that they happen in a very public place

that they happen in a very public place

that they happen in a very public place so the there are men who do this in the

so the there are men who do this in the

so the there are men who do this in the Grand Canyon and even as far as the salt

Grand Canyon and even as far as the salt

Grand Canyon and even as far as the salt flats of Bolivia why does this happen

flats of Bolivia why does this happen

flats of Bolivia why does this happen it’s simply again my first contention

it’s simply again my first contention

it’s simply again my first contention earlier which is we are traveling before

earlier which is we are traveling before

earlier which is we are traveling before we can mature we are now traveling at a

we can mature we are now traveling at a

we can mature we are now traveling at a time before we even understand the

time before we even understand the

time before we even understand the places that we visit it used to be that

places that we visit it used to be that

places that we visit it used to be that before we visit a place we would even

before we visit a place we would even

before we visit a place we would even learn about that place we would even

learn about that place we would even

learn about that place we would even pick up a language book do you remember

pick up a language book do you remember

pick up a language book do you remember that time perhaps you can ask your

that time perhaps you can ask your

that time perhaps you can ask your parents about it but now we are trying

parents about it but now we are trying

parents about it but now we are trying we have made bookings for next year even

we have made bookings for next year even

we have made bookings for next year even if we don’t know what our mental state

if we don’t know what our mental state

if we don’t know what our mental state will be one year from now so we travel

will be one year from now so we travel

will be one year from now so we travel first without understanding we

first without understanding we

first without understanding we experience without actually learning

experience without actually learning

experience without actually learning things and I think this speaks to us

things and I think this speaks to us

things and I think this speaks to us tremendously so I would like to leave

tremendously so I would like to leave

tremendously so I would like to leave you today with this simple thought that

you today with this simple thought that

you today with this simple thought that travel is not really freedom travel is

travel is not really freedom travel is

travel is not really freedom travel is freedom with responsibility and I relate

freedom with responsibility and I relate

freedom with responsibility and I relate this to the problem that tourism faces

this to the problem that tourism faces

this to the problem that tourism faces nowadays far more than the numbers that

nowadays far more than the numbers that

nowadays far more than the numbers that we are getting on the number of visitors

we are getting on the number of visitors

we are getting on the number of visitors that is inundating our cities it’s

that is inundating our cities it’s

that is inundating our cities it’s really the behavior that we exhibit

really the behavior that we exhibit

really the behavior that we exhibit while we visit Marcel Proust

while we visit Marcel Proust

while we visit Marcel Proust French novelist once said that in order

French novelist once said that in order

French novelist once said that in order to have a

to have a

to have a voyage of discovery you do not really

voyage of discovery you do not really

voyage of discovery you do not really need to see new landscape all you need

need to see new landscape all you need

need to see new landscape all you need is to see with new eyes

is to see with new eyes

is to see with new eyes we do not really need to see new

we do not really need to see new

we do not really need to see new landscapes we need to see with new eyes

landscapes we need to see with new eyes

landscapes we need to see with new eyes and I think this hits all of us very

and I think this hits all of us very

and I think this hits all of us very much at the core of our experience in

much at the core of our experience in

much at the core of our experience in traveling we need not be one of these

traveling we need not be one of these

traveling we need not be one of these machines that travel as though we were a

machines that travel as though we were a

machines that travel as though we were a colonial consumer you know feeling

colonial consumer you know feeling

colonial consumer you know feeling arrogant and behaving in a way that we

arrogant and behaving in a way that we

arrogant and behaving in a way that we have earned this right to travel and so

have earned this right to travel and so

have earned this right to travel and so I am free to do whatever I want to do no

I am free to do whatever I want to do no

I am free to do whatever I want to do no we should change that we should regard

we should change that we should regard

we should change that we should regard the places that we visit with a lot of

the places that we visit with a lot of

the places that we visit with a lot of dignity and with a lot of civility and

dignity and with a lot of civility and

dignity and with a lot of civility and with a lot of courtesy and respect I

with a lot of courtesy and respect I

with a lot of courtesy and respect I think it’s a privilege to be able to

think it’s a privilege to be able to

think it’s a privilege to be able to travel so we should treat travel in a

travel so we should treat travel in a

travel so we should treat travel in a very serene and solemn sense thank you

very serene and solemn sense thank you

very serene and solemn sense thank you very much

very much

very much [Applause]

”

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