There is no quicker way to destroy locale culture and customs than simply providing easy transport to the tourist masses.
Case in point: One of the more isolated, and difficult to reach areas on this planet has traditionally been Tibet. As Erik pointed out in a post last March, the Chinese government will be opening up a direct rail line to Lhasa this July. Many see this as just another dagger in the back of Tibetan culture as the Chinese continue their campaign to China-size the country they invaded in 1950. An inexpensive rail line will undoubtedly flood Tibet with even more Chinese influence in the form of trade and immigration, eventually diluting their unique culture altogether.
Politics aside, the Chinese government is acting very capitalistic with the launching of a luxury train that will whisk mostly foreign tourists from Beijing to Lhasa in 48 hours. For $1,000 a day, “adventurers” can lumber to the roof of the world with the comfort of onboard showers, folk dance shows, karaoke and pressurized cabins.
The journey itself promises to be amongst the great train trips in the world–I just don’t think I could stomach it in such kitschy opulence.