Analyzing Confucianism's Effect on Tourism, Especially in China

This essay delves into the significant impact of Confucianism on global tourism, with a particular focus on its influence in China. The research explores how Confucian values have shaped Chinese business practices, social ethics, and hospitality norms, contributing to the country's development and its approach to welcoming visitors. The essay analyzes the role of Confucianism in fostering a unique tourism experience, where respect, hospitality, and ethical considerations are paramount. It also highlights the similarities between Confucian ethics and the Gandhian philosophy, emphasizing the importance of virtue, truthfulness, and the well-being of both hosts and guests. The study examines how Confucian heritage countries, such as Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam, have adopted Confucian social and business ethics to navigate the global business environment. The essay also references relevant academic sources to support its arguments, illustrating how Confucianism has become a key factor in the tourism industry by influencing hospitality practices and fostering a sense of responsibility toward guests and society.

Running head: CONFUCIANISM IN CHINA
CONFUCIANISM IN CHINA
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The aim of this essay is to discuss the effect of Confucianism in the tourism of the world
and more especially in China. The researches about the Confucianism has revealed different
aspects of this philosophy which has guided to the process of development of the modern China
which has become the second largest economy in terms of the emerging nations. This is the
reason why the people of the eastern world along the western ones have started to reinterpreted
the distinctive values opined by this ancient philosophy.
As pointed out by the authors like (Mark, 2019) Confucianism has been playing one of
the most important factors in the trades and business of China. This ancient philosophy has
contributed a large portion of Chinese development process. This has been found out in the video
presentation that the Confucian thoughts have also supported the growth of the country under the
governance of the Han Dynasty (Herkentyu 2015). From that time, Confucianism has covered a
large part in the state policies which dependent upon the trade.
The poem by Confucius focussing the hospitality norms in the Chinese society directly
connects the tourism factors in the country (Confucius, 2019). In this poem, the author has
shown how the host must behave with the guest and the extreme poverty or simplicity of the
hosts cannot affect the value of hospitality. Thus, the philosophy of Confucius has influenced the
tourism business of the region in the contemporary age and has become the chief motivating
factor of the practice of hospitality in the countries. The Confucian heritage countries like
Singapore, Taiwan, China, japan and Vietnam follow Confucian social as well as business ethics
that help them to cope up with the external global business environment (Rachel, 2014). The
visitors are greeted, welcomed and respected in the countries in such a way that are quite
different from that of the countries of the western hemisphere. The Confucian protocol
requirements manipulate the decision-making process of these tourism management for gaining

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wisdom from the balance and rights present in the society and share the responsibilities the
welfare of the guests from other places are as important as the safety and growth of the citizens
of the nations.
The defining method of others in the Confucian philosophy is quite different from that of
the western schools of thoughts. The business and social ethics of Confucius affect the business
relations to be nurtured. The social and economic changes in the Confucian heritage countries
have been emerging sharply and their visit to the other nations for maintaining business relations
have also enhanced in the recent years (Rachel, 2014). These countries as granted Confucianism
to be the centre of their growth, the philosophies are being reflected in their thought process, life
style and demands also. This is the reason why the other popular destinations of the world are
trying to provide the similar support to the Asian tourists which is promoting Confucianism to be
the main philosophy behind tourism in the world.
The philosophies of Confucius have contributed in the process of development of the
nation’s following and practicing this particular philosophy is different ways, first it has changed
the methods the people used the see the world before and responded to the negativities or
adversity. This however shows complete discrepancy to the thoughts and world views of the
countries or religions of the western or European nations (Mark, 2019). The aesthetic of virtue
had never been in the philosophy of the western culture but this shows similarity to that of the
neighbouring countries of China, namely India. The aesthetic of virtue and acting humane is
present in the philosophy of the Gandhian school of Thought. In this regard the critic like Gier
(2001), has found out that the Gandhian asceticism and Confucian centralized political
philosophy focus on the wellbeing of the society by supporting the human nature and selflessness
in every decision of the people. However, both these two are concerned about the virtue and

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truthfulness of the people who will contribute love and respect for one another and be a positive
factor for the growth of the countries.
Therefore, it can be stated that the philosophy of Confucius has positively affect the
ideology of the policies of the countries and largely changing the hospitality and tourism
business of the world where the chief focus is remaining on the wellbeing of the people and
welfare of the society. The Gandhian philosophy supports the Confucianism totally where the
people of both India and China consider their guests to be a form of god.

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References:
Confucius, H. (2019). Hospitality Poem by Confucius - Poem Hunter. Retrieved from
https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hospitality-3/
Gier, N. (2001). Confucius, Gandhi and the Aesthetics of Virtue. Asian Philosophy, 11(1), 41-54.
doi: 10.1080/09552360120048843
Herkentyu. (2015). Confucianism in China [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbPKxnOMIuU
Mark, J. (2019). Religion in the Ancient World. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/religion/
Rachel, L. (2014). Does studying Confucius make you smarter, or just more obedient? | The Star.
Retrieved from
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/01/25/does_studying_confucius_make_you_s
marter_or_just_more_obedient.html