Explanation of Cross-Cultural Differences in Tourism Based on the Perception of Local Community

Today, Tourism is more than an economic activity and as a world and social phenomenon has certain complexities which are the result of displacement of people from different cultures and their communicationse and interactions in peace time. In this regard, understanding cultural differences is an essential factor in developing a successful tourism industry. This study aimed to examine cross-cultural differences in tourism and the ways the local community encounters with them. This was a qualitative study. Research participants included twelve persons from local people in Ghara dagh (Arasbaran) Area who were selected by purposeful sampling. This study indicated that determinants of tourist– local community contact, the role of culture in tourism, types of intercultural encounters, the cultural differences between tourists and local community, the cultural differences problems of tourist–local community contact, the impact of cultural differences on the local community and the style of encounter of local community with the tourist's cultural differences are seven main themes related to cross-cultural differences in tourism and 26 sideshows were infulencial factors on main issues.