Is tourism culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions?

Yes. Personally, I feel that tourism has been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions.

Commodifying is by turning the cultures and traditions into something very commercialize.

Due to tourism, the unique culture and traditions of a place is very commercialize as it can be seen almost everywhere. Because of tourism, many people has make use of the culture and traditions to make revenue out of it by mass producing souvenirs and sell it to overseas shops which hence will lead to commodifying of the cultures and traditions of a place.

An example is the Scented Sachets which is one of the Taiwan arts. It is a customary to made scented sachets in Taiwan during the dragon boat festival. In the past people made these scented sachets for the purpose of warding away evil and as a love token. However, due to tourism, scented sachets is found anywhere at anything with no meaningful meaning or culture built in it other than its decorative appearance and sometimes its fragrant scent.

Hence, the culture and tradition of making scented sachets is diluted with economic purposes.