Disneyization | Commodification

Many cities in Nigeria have started to resemble many Western urban centres. This may be due to the influx of oil revenue and tourist visits as Nigeria is increasingly becoming well-known on the world map. Take for example Lagos, a massive city which has since been in the risk of being overcrowded by traffic jams, movie theatres, department stores, restaurants, and supermarkets.

The food culture in Nigeria has also been heavily Westernized. This is especially common in urban centres where it has transformed the eating habits in Nigeria in many ways. Canned, frozen, and prepackaged foods, which are common in most Western countries' supermarkets can now be easily found in Nigeria's supermarkets. Foreign restaurant are also a familiar sight in the larger cities of Nigeria. However, the products in these places are usually too expensive for an average Nigerian. Hence, only wealthy Nigerians can afford to dine like Westerners.

In the olden days, Nigerians consume food by hand, however these days, forks and spoons are becoming more common with the increase of Western influences. This phenomenon is happening even in remote villages and rural areas.

So, is tourism a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions?

I concur. Commodification is no more than a form of Profiteering. Tourists travel to a destination for an experience and yet what they bring back to their homelands are usually merchandise from the site.

Even though Commodification contributes to the harmful and irreversible changes to cultures and traditions, the economic gains that it brings are too significant to ignore. Hence, what I suggest is that instead of an absolute abortion of Commodification, national governments can implement measures to safeguard and preserve the authenticity and culture of destinations. Commodification is inevitable, but with proper management of tourism, it will definitely benefit its people.