TOURISM CONSTRAINTS OF UMLAZI TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ...

cultures because it influences national understanding and appreciation of otherpeople. Tourism, particularly domestic travel, acquaints citizens with the other partsof their country and builds appreciation for the homeland (MacIntosh, et al., 1995).AB visitors and hosts mingle socially and become acquainted, the awareness ofeachother's characters and qualities increases, building respect and appreciation in bothgroups. Visitors are influenced by contrasts in culture and this brings about anincreased understanding for the qualities of life in the society visited that may notbe present at home, (MacIntosh, et al., 1995) although these effects cannot beguaranteed because many people travel with all their mind-sets well and truly inplace.For elderly people in the community, recreation can be enriching. Tourism, as aform ofrecreation, has a considerable role to play in the social life of the elderly.Tourism is also an ideal form ofrecreation for the elderly because the elderly peopleare free from the burden of raising children and from the hassles of employment.Ideally, they have all the time in the world. Instead, the problem that the elderly areusually faced with is the problem ofboredom and loneliness. This may not be truein the case ofthe African elderly but they also need to be given a chance to enjoytourism.A study conducted by the Council ofSocial Agencies in Virginia, U.SA, revealedthat about half ofthe interviewees over sixty, had nothing to do all day (Williams,1991). This time could be used positively in tourism where the aged could formfiiendships and simply have fun.13'.