As a Los Angeles native, I’ve seen and conquered all of the numerous tourist attractions that it holds many times. Nonetheless, I’ve found a personal favorite in Griffith Park, particularly in its famous Griffith Observatory. Griffith Park is a large municipal park covering over four thousand acres of land that holds not only the Observatory, but many picnic areas, hiking trails, the Los Angeles Zoo, an equestrian center, pony rides, a carousel, and much more as well. I often find myself taking part in long runs through the trails and up the long, windy hill to reach the peak, where the observatory lies. From here I can take in the unique architecture of the observatory itself, a clear view of the Hollywood sign, all of the Los Angeles county, …show more content…
After revisiting this popular tourist attraction with a different, fresh mindset, I am able to support the argument made by Dean MacCannell that tourism is a search for authenticity. While tourists come up to Griffith Park to check off a popular Los Angeles landmark and “must see attraction” from their long list, they are also coming to witness a taste of the “real” Los Angeles. However, this “real” and authentic LA that they seek will not necessarily be found here up in the mountains themselves, but instead in the land beyond and in the people they encounter. Growing up in Los Angeles has influenced my perception of what I consider to be the authentic LA. I’ve seen and taken part in all that it holds and has to offer. I’ve been to the rough areas of Downtown and Compton, the rich, high-class expanses of Beverley Hills, and everything in-between. The so-called “authentic Los Angeles” is something that I know well. Therefore, I take in different details when I go to the Griffith Observatory compared to a first time visitor, and I …show more content…
When these tourists come to vacation in LA, they already have a picture in mind of what they’re coming to see. They think of Los Angeles and may have thoughts of the “Glamorous Hollywood,” with images in mind of red carpets, celebrities, and rich movie stars parading up and down the streets in flowing gowns and tuxedos. They most likely are coming with a list of popular attractions and famous landmarks that they will try to cram into their itinerary. MacCannell says: “Modern international sightseeing possesses its own moral structure, a collective sense that certain sights must be seen.” This “moral structure of tourism” he discusses is how specific attractions are seen as important enough to be a “must see” in a tourist’s trip to a destination. These attractions have been deemed worthy, and in a sense make up what is known to be as an authentic replication of the location. Through this list they hope to experience and witness the authentic Los Angeles. MacCannell states that: “Modern Humanity has been condemned to look elsewhere, everywhere, for authenticity, to see if we can catch a glimpse of it reflected in the simplicity, poverty, chastity, or purity of others.” Yet how can tourists believe that this true authenticity will be found at a place such as Griffith Park? It showcases amazing views of the city, but does not let us see what Los
Trask is able to use logos to prove how tourism has affected the Hawaiian culture. Trask refers to Hawaii as a “She” who “Rubs off” on the visitor with her magical presence. The beauty of Hawaii is used as an escape from “Rawness and violence” for most Americans though, Trask mentions that the land has a “Western sexual sickness” (Trask 1993). “Of course, all this hype is necessary to hide the truth about tourism, the awful exploitative truth that the industry is the major cause of environmental degradation, low wages, land dispossession, and the highest cost of living in the United States” (Trask 1993). Trask says that the areas of Hawaii which were “sacred” to the Hawaiian’s have now been turned into top of the line hotels. The beaches that were once full of fishermen and their nets are used for recreational activities like surfing getting a tan and jet skiing. On most of the beaches owned by resorts, the beaches are reserved for hotel residences only. In the essay, Trask gives the readers logos as to how tourism is changing the land. For example, thirty years ago the ratio of Hawaiians outnumbered the tourist 2:1. Today,
“Where Worlds Collide” is an essay by Pico Iyer who talks about the expectations and reality of Los Angeles through the perspectives of travelers from different backgrounds. In “Where Worlds Collide,” Pico Iyer argues that even though Los Angeles is depicted as a vicinity to receive wealth, happiness, and many opportunities- it is actually the antithesis, and instead, many harsh prejudice and unending craziness will occur instead; Iyer argues this by using allusions, anaphoras, and juxtapositions to help convey what he is saying.
Iyer begins the piece on a rather vague note. He introduces the essay in third person referring to “they”. Although this “they” is not revealed until further paragraphs, through his descriptions of places and concepts related to Los Angeles, such as the Dodgers, Disneyland, or airport shuttles, the reader soon can conclude that this “they” are travelers and they are at no other than LAX. Through his use of third person Iyer helps to show multiple perspectives of how coming to Los Angeles may be. In each of these perspectives he highlights the enthusiasm of these travelers thus helping to strengthen his assertion that to many newcomers, Los Angeles is often a fantasy.
Los Angeles is a city of glamour teeming with celebrities, business people and many of the wealthiest people in the world. There are several luxury
Elaine Potter Richardson a.k.a. Jamaica Kincaid, was one of the staff writers for the New Yorker who mostly wrote for the magazine that often-chronicled Caribbean culture. One of her work was “The Ugly Tourist” which was included in the opening chapter of “A Small Place,” and appeared in Harper’s in 1988. Kincaid’s essay talks about how it feels to be a tourist which she refers “the ugliest thing in the world.” The piece was rejected by the editor of the New Yorker because of being “too angry.” Within the composition, it’s obvious that Kincaid’s largest target is the economic structure of the dysfunctional tourism or in other words, she speaks directly to “you,” the reader. She even criticizes tourists in a resentful and ferociously pitched way that is somewhat troubling for some readers, and not obviously what she intends. Overall, Kincaid’s work doesn’t succeed to persuade his readers by failing to construct her ethos, pathos and logos.
As a Los Angeles residence for almost five years, I had never properly explored the beautiful attractions that the city has to offer. However, there are so many interesting things that tourists and local people have talk about LACMA; so I decided to check it out over the weekend. "Hey,
Los Angeles is a city that is known for its moderate climate, social importance, entertainment, and its ethnic diversity. In the second largest city in the united states, there are many places that contribute to its importance and amusement. Many areas make up Los Angeles. The list of places to attend is numerous. One of the places that attracts many people is the Griffith Observatory with the view of the world famous Hollywood sign. As one of the most popular, informal, education provisions, it continues being an international landmark.
Monument Valley is a protected area in Arizona, and is considered one of the most spectacular views on earth. It has been the backdrop for more than a few westerns that have been filmed, due to its ability to combine a picturesque backdrop and also reflect the desolation and wide open spaces of the American southwest. Each year, thousands of tourists plan to visit this area in order to take in the views of the "monuments" stretching thousands of feet from the desert floor to the sky, but many abandon those plans when they find out just how far the area is from the nearest developed area.
111). While California is more aware of its roots than Canada, with its “unknown” heritage label, there is nothing prohibiting the warping and burying of Los Angeles’ roots to promote a sense of unity and sameness. This strategy simultaneously plays into global audiences’ glorified perceptions and expectations of the sameness of America’s culture, while appearing to be accepting of outside cultures. Boiling down LA’s culture to Aronczyk’s notion of playful aesthetics and events and framing it in Hollywood spectacle creates a dream-like and enticing notion of the region (Aronczyk, 2013, p.110). Hollywood already provides prestige, culturally and economically, and this resource is a major benefit of Los Angeles as a city partnering with major Hollywood
I felt prestigious living in Santa Barbara as a native citizen. Aesthetically adhering to the beautification of its appearance, its continuous allegiance to the arts and to culture, Santa Barbara was "The Beautiful World ILived In."
MacCannell makes it very clear that creating and restoring tourists’ destinations, promoting certain experiences, and offering every tourist their own idea of history. It helps create an economy of human experiences and memories that each tourist can hold near to them. MacCannell explains that tourism is “cultural production” meaning you need a tourist attraction. There are 3 main components that make up a tourist attraction: a marker, a sight, and a tourist. MacCannell goes on to explain that the marker is the most important part of a tourist attraction because without the marker the tourist would not recognize the site which at that point would not exist.
The use of natural resources to attract tourists, if successful, leads to the obligation of an infrastructure upon ‘nature’. Over time, it is the manmade structures that maintain the desirability of the tourist resort, not the natural features that prompted the original.(Ryan, 1991) Thus by focusing too much on attracting tourists
We all know the big city that everyone loves to talk about and be a part of the experience of a lifetime which is Los Angeles, also known as L.A. It is one of the most known cities in California and around the world where people’s dreams come true. L.A. is best known for its beaches, entertainment, amusements, and the people around the city. It’s also known as “The City of Angels”, which is the spanish word for “Angeles”. It is the second most populous city in the United States after New York. I’ve always known L.A. as a big part of my life, being born in the city of luxury and fame. Growing up, I never knew how much of a big deal LA was until I was in high school. Being around so much popularity and seeing the opportunities that LA has brought to people was amazing to me. From the sports games, to the concerts, to the famous celebrities walking the red carpets brung so much excitement to me and I was glad to experience all of it.
Hollywood is the place where stars line the sidewalks, the place where actors went to become somebody. Where you can accidently bump into someone from the big screen or, at least, take a photo with their wax double. Those who visit expect the stage. Those who live here have become accustomed to the cameras. We often don’t realize that movies are not just filmed in Hollywood. That’s just a term that we use to encompass the entirety of the film industry. Hollywood tries it’s best to distinguish itself from the “real” Los Angeles. It’s not bright enough, or pretty enough to be photographed. At least, that’s what it is shown as in the films Hollywood makes. And we don’t deny any assumption Hollywood may make of our city. We accept that our reality is not meant to be shown in the
A. G. B. Research, more than 70% of total tourist nights in New Zealand in