"The tourist transports his own values and demands to his destinations and implants them like an infectious disease, decimating whatever values existed before"

Arthur Erickson's quote is a poignant reflection on how tourism can frequently serve as a double-edged sword, bringing both financial advantage and cultural disturbance to the locations people go to. At the heart of this quote is a review of the contemporary traveler's tendency to job personal worths onto the locations they check out, frequently without thinking about the resultant effect on local communities and cultures.

The metaphor of tourism as an "infectious disease" highlights the uncontrolled nature of cultural modification that can happen when travelers get in a location. Just as an infection spreads and alters the natural state of a host, travelers can accidentally impose their own cultural standards and expectations upon a regional culture, leading to significant and often permanent changes.

Erickson is highlighting the transformational effect tourism can have on a location, which can be especially harmful when considering the preservation of indigenous worths and practices. Regional customs, languages, and practices might be neglected, commercialized, or marginalized to cater to the tastes and preferences of tourists. This dynamic can cause the dilution and even erasure of cultural identities, as services and cultural websites adapt more to visitor expectations than to native heritage.

Furthermore, the quote discuss the imbalance of power fundamental in tourist. Typically, the visitor holds more financial power than the local citizens, which can force the latter into reshaping their cultural landscapes and practices to line up with the needs of the previous. This economic dependency can eventually require a community into a cycle of cultural compromise and adjustment, losing credibility in the process.

In essence, Erickson's message is a call to awareness and ethical factor to consider. It reminds us that travel ought to be approached with regard and humbleness, aiming not just to acquire personally enriching experiences but likewise to honor and protect the special cultural identities of the places explored. By doing so, tourism can change from an intrusive force to a respectful exchange, where mutual advantage and cultural respect are prioritized.