MODULE FOR

MULTICULTURAL
DIVERSITY IN THE
WORKPLACE FOR THE
TOURISM
PROFESSIONAL
(THC 9)
2nd SEMESTER - ACADEMIC YEAR 2021-2022

Prepared and Compiled by:

DAVE SIDNEY M. TIRONES

Lecturer

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
 GUIDE ON HOW TO USE THE MODULE

A. For Faculty
In the situation we are in today without face-to-face learning and teaching, this
module is designed for Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism
Professional (THC 9).

This will be the guide for the method of teaching and to help students alleviate the
learning difficulties of current situation. Your full guidance on students is expected to
achieve full learning.

Also, teachers should try to discuss all the contents of the module within the
allotted time. Each teacher is free to use his strategy so that they can be taught based on
the ability and needs of his student. Hoping that teachers will be open-minded and
considerate in the various situations in which the students are experiencing today and to
have a broad understanding of any possible shortcomings of the students in answering
and performing in this module.

The distribution of this module is through Google Mail Accounts (Gmail), Google
Classroom or any most practical distribution medium based on the group to which they
belong.

B. For Learners
We are aware of the hardships you are going through at this time so we want you
to stay in your homes, please do not let your learning stop. From here, teachers have
prepared this module for you.

This module was created to tailor and support your needs and interests in the for
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9) subject. This
course will have eight (8) modules consisting of lessons and a variety of activities lined
up with what you hope to achieve in the future.

In this regard, reading and studying the lessons should be done sequentially based
on its structure so that the understanding of those written in this module is consistent and
seamless.

It is encouraged to read the content of the module thoroughly to understand what

should and not should be done. We aim to make time and be serious about answering
and practicing tasks. Remember that everything you do for this course is recorded and
graded accordingly.

It is also important to know that all module activities have a set time or specific
date of submission to your teacher. Avoid being late for “deadlines” to refrain having worry
about this course. We hope that you will excel in this course and that you will succeed.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate
to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope
that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep
understanding of the relevant competencies.

We LEARN as ONE! You can do it!

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
 INTRODUCTORY MESSAGE

Welcome to the for Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism
Professional (THC 9) Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module.

This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in
schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and
circumstances.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners; progress while allowing them to manage their
own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
 MODULE FOR MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE
FOR THE TOURISM PROFESSIONAL (THC 9)
Credits : 3 units lecture (3 hours/week)
Pre-Requisite : NONE

Lesson Title : BASIC ELEMENTS AND KEY FEATURES OF CULTURE

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this module, the learners will be able to:

1. identify the basic elements and key features of culture;

2. explain the importance of culture in relation to tourism and hospitality industry; and
3. show appreciation to the importance of culture.

INTRODUCTION

Cultures are rules and laws which are passed from one generation to the next
generation. This is a basic definition from which culture can be explained theoretically but
to define a culture more precisely we have to classify and name its basic element
moreover the subjected elements are needed to be explained in detail; to describe and
understand the deep and real sense of the term “Culture”.

The basic elements of culture;

1. Language
2. Norms
3. Beliefs
4. Symbols
5. Values
6. Cognitive Elements

LANGUAGE: – Every culture has a particular language which is passed by the

person belongs to that particular culture to the next generation and the following
generation also has to learn the language. The language can be defined, in a very precise
manner, and can be compared, in the best way, with a vehicle. Language is a medium or
an instrument which is used to express one’s view and to keep forward one’s opinion.

Language is the most basic and most important element in a culture. For example,
a person who speaks “Tagalog” can be judged to be a citizen of the Philippines. The
person who speaks Hindi and having an accent like that of Indians can be recognized
easily, that he is a citizen of India and likewise person speaking other languages can be
recognized that to which culture he/she belongs.
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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
 NORMS: – The very important element of a culture is this norm. This decides the
rules and regulation of a society. Norms define two types of rules one of which it must be
followed by people of that particular society these rules are known as “mos”. The other
rule tells the daily habits of individual of that society it is known as “folkways“.

BELIEFS: - Before the creation of any culture by a society, society decides their
source of motivation, which they considered as appropriate. For example, god Shiva to
Hindus, Sikh wear bangle in one hand, bear a long beard, keeping a dagger. Cross for
Christians and a necklace or a cotton thread around the neck.

SYMBOLS: - Importance of Symbols may differ for different people, belonging to

a different culture. For example, sign of cross means nothing for Hindus but for Christians,
this is a symbol of Lord Christ.

VALUES: – Anything or any material when collects importance in our daily life it
starts having value. Value of some materials, sometimes, are received and taught by
parents to their children. Some values are explained by society, in these way values of a
particular society get accumulated and move forward from generations to generations.

COGNITIVE ELEMENTS: - Cognitive elements are that element of culture which

deals with the management of difficult times or natural calamities. Cognitive elements of
culture are those through which an individual learn how to cope with an existing situation
whether natural or social. These qualities are learned by children and taught, to them, by
their parents, so that their son/daughter can live with peace in a particular situation

Even after reviewing the definitions of culture, elements and multiculturalism, there
is also a need to learn the key features of culture that makes it different from other
concepts. In an article published by the Sociology Group in 2018, culture is different from
other concepts because …

1. … is learned;
2. … is social;
3. … is shared;
4. … is transmitted;
5. … is continuous;
6. … is accumulative;
7. … is integrate;
8. … is changing; and
9. varies from society to society.

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
Culture Is Learned

The first teacher of a child is his/her family, especially those who interact with the
child closely. As years goes by, a child learns many things from the family, such as how
to talk, eat, walk, behave appropriately, and worship. As the child’s circle of
acquaintances increases, so does the continuous learning.

In some instances, while the child / person may acquire and learn new things,
some of the old things they know may be forgotten or replaced. Culture has to be taught
by someone, usually an older person that is valued by the younger person. It is learned
through constant practice, reminder, and action. The elements of culture such as beliefs,
ways of life, and languages, can be learned and shared together and create lasting and
powerful relationships.

A community with people of varied cultures can learn from the culture of another
community or people groups. The person, thus, will not be the same from how they were
a child to how they will be as an adult, nor will they be the same as the other members of
their intermediate family through the years.

Culture is a learned behavior that is transmitted from one member of society to

another. As an individual grows in a particular environment he learns about different
aspects of culture through his interaction with other members of society.

Culture isn’t biologically passed from older generations to the newer ones. It’s
learned through expertise. People share culture and ideas from their lives. The longer-
term generations learn to follow an equivalent culture.

Culture propagates through generations; that adopt their recent customs and
traditions as a neighborhood of their culture. This is one of the most important
characteristics of culture.

Culture Is Social

A person needs to interact with other people for culture to be transmitted. It cannot
be “kept in a cabinet” nor be kept a secret from the members. The more you interact with
other people, the wider your appreciation for things, values, and concepts will be, and the
more t will live on. Through interaction with other people, you see how other people
behave, act, and make decisions.

Beliefs and values will guide a person to retain or change their culture in the future
as socialization, beliefs, and other elements change through the years. In many

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
instances, if the reason for the practice is not explained well, then succeeding generations
may not appreciate this practice anymore.

Culture Is Shared

A bunch of individuals shares every culture, sometimes inhabiting an equivalent a

part of the globe. The region they board, the geographical conditions around them, their
country’s past, the idea system, and values of its folks, and therefore the heritage they’re
happy with, represent their culture.

These aspects develop a way of unity and happiness among the folks of that
cluster. Members of a particular society share culture. Cultural values, beliefs, norms, etc.
are shared by the majority of the members of a given society.

Culture is not something that an individual can pass to person but is shared by a
common group of people in a given area. Various elements such as arts, language,
religion, values, and beliefs are all shared by one person to another, such as members of
a family or a community. These beliefs and practices are accepted by everyone equally.
A group of people, several households, a barangay, a district, a city, or a province may
share some of the elements of culture. This shared culture is what is transmitted to other
members of the community throughout the succeeding generations.

In instances, when a cultural element dies, it can be traced back to its weak
transmission, perhaps its lack of documentation and practice, and so it loses its meaning
to the younger members of the community. An example will be dialects that have died
because there were no speakers of the dialect.

Culture Is Transmitted

Culture has a capability of transmitting from one generation to the next. The
transmittal of culture can be done through practice, written form, or verbal form. What is
important is that there is a means or method used wherein the elements of culture are
passed on to other persons and other generations. Usually, the patriarch or matriarch of
the family is the holder of the family practices. These entire elders band together to ensure
that there is continued practice of the unique culture, whether it is formal or informal
designation.

If there is no one to ensure that these elements are practiced, these elements will
die. On the other hand, they take another path, either adapt a more relaxed version or
follow a practice of another group of people.

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
Culture Is Continuous

The transmission of cultural elements of one group must be continuous from one
generation to the next. This will ensure that there is a common understanding of the
practices, history, and origin. Understanding the basis of the practice is critical as it
explains the rationale for the practice.

People want to know the reasons behind a practice, especially the youth, when the
oft-repeated question is “Why?” If there is no resolution to this, there will be challenges
as some people will refuse to practice it, leading to forgetting the practice altogether.

In some communities, there are attempts to revive a certain element of culture after
its absence in some years. In its revitalized version, it may not be as authentic as the
original and it may take several years for the restored practice to achieve a level of
committed practice by its community members.

Culture Is Accumulative

With so much history in any society, there is bound to be changes in culture as

compared to when it was initially practiced. The intensity is dependent on many things
the commitment of its followers, the number of followers, its documentation, the rationale
of the practice, and even its interactions with other groups who may have a different
practice altogether. Culture is not a matter of month or a year. It is the continuous process
and adding new cultural traits. Many cultural traits are borrowed from outside and these
absorbed in that culture which adopt it, as culture is accumulative and combines the
suitable cultural traits.

As a result of culture being transmitted to several people, through several years,

there will be changes due to the current situation in the community.

Culture Is Integrated

Common practices bring people together. It is a way of sharing with others and
making it easier for people to understand or give preference to others who share a
common practice. There are many practices that are uniquely undertaken by a group of
people. They can easily be identified as coming from particular region or province. It is
part of their life, from birth to death and all events that happen in between. Special events
such as Holy Week differ from region to region and this can be seen in the way that we
celebrate it. In other countries, Holy Week is also being celebrated differently.

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)
Culture Is Changing

With the intersection of many variables across time and people, culture is bound
to change. Developments in technology, government structure, laws, other elements, and
even in people will give rise to changes in culture. For example, there may be more
effective and more efficient ways of doing something very traditional such as waving a
design from the handloom versus a machine that can do the same in shorter time. The
machine may even use different threads, resulting in the change of the cloth.

Changes must be acceptable to the group who owns the original, and if members
are happy with the change, then there can be change. Sometimes, however, this can
result in quarrels among the members of the group and may result in the division of the
community. In some instances, this can create new beginnings or new communities.

Culture Varies from Society to Society

Of the many sub-groups in a society, each one brings their own cultural mindset
to a bigger community. Expect that there will be similarities and many unique practices
within a given community and among the different countries also.

Given these features of culture, a tourism professional should be aware and liberal
in considering the uniqueness and similarities of their colleagues and customers in the
workplace. A tourism professional should be very understanding, open-minded, and does
not insist in their cultural beliefs or practice on other people.

REFERENCES

Alcuas, V., Aquino, M.C. (2020). Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for Tourism
Professionals (1st Edition). Sampaloc, Manila; Rex Book Store Inc. (RBSI)

Sociology Group (2018). “What is Culture, Basic Elements of Culture and Features.”
Retrieved from https://www.sociologygroup.com/elements-of-culture-basic-
elements-of-culture/#key_features_of_culture

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Prepared and Compiled by: Mr. Dave Sidney M. Tirones
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace for the Tourism Professional (THC 9)