Final answer:
To commodify something is to turn it into a tradeable item with monetary value, whereas to fetishize something, especially in economic terms, is to attribute magical properties to it. This transformative view of goods has significant impacts on tourism, often leading to the packaging of cultural and natural experiences as purchasable commodities and affecting consumption patterns by promoting a culture of consumerism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commodification and Fetishization
To commodify something means to transform an item, perhaps with cultural or ritual significance, into a commodity that has monetary value and can be bought, sold, or traded. Fetishization, in an economic context, refers to commodity fetishism, where commodities are portrayed as having almost magical properties that can transform the consumer, often conveyed through marketing and advertising strategies. Commodification can have a profound impact on tourism and consumption by creating a culture of consumerism where people view the world as an assortment of exotic and empowering commodities available for purchase.
Effects on Tourism
Commodification affects tourism by steering it towards a more transactional relationship with the local culture, history, and environment. Places and experiences are packaged and sold as commodities, often leading to a phenomenon known as ecotourism which aims to be sustainable and beneficial for conservation. However, without global standards, it can sometimes result in exploitation and environmental damage, a practice referred to as greenwashing.
Consumption Patterns
The change in consumption patterns in industrial and postindustrial societies is deeply influenced by the commodification of goods and even labor. This shift can lead to a sense of power and control among consumers, who engage in shopping as an act of fulfillment, overlooking potential consequences such as workplace dissatisfaction, inequality, and environmental harm.