} Indigenous tourism, also known as ethnic or tribal tourism, has been a particularly fast growing trend. More and more land becomes privatized and indigenous people are faced with poverty and losing . Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Other collective terms also in use refer to First Peoples or Native Peoples, First Nations or People of the Land, Aboriginals or Fourth World Peoples (Tuhiwai Smith, Citation1999, p. 6). The influx of tourists has also allowed for traditionaltribal arts and handicraftsto flourish, which often means an additional or the only source of income for the community. In her study, Mkono adopted a passive lurker stance to analyze the experiences of visitors to four Australian Indigenous tourism experiences. These researchers explored issues around economic prosperity, tensions associated with the marketing of culture, enhancement of the socio-economic well-being of Indigenous peoples and challenges within the broader contexts of environmental, economic social and cultural sustainability when pursuing sustainable livelihoods. The authors examined how Indigenous interpretive guides (who were representatives of the Yithuwarra Traditional Owners) interpreted the significance of the cave paintings and the natural vegetation of the island to expedition cruise passengers by employing an ethnographic approach with interviews, open-ended discussions and participant observations. The challenge for tourism and culture is to reach those diverse audiences through a multicultural marketing perspective for managers to make decisions. We'll e-mail a link to reset your password. Importantly, this paper contributes a non-Western, Chinese perspective of indigeneity and coping strategies and in particular, the paper discusses the role of returning Indigenous migrants who proceed to innovate and practice entrepreneurship in their communities. Sales of the Guaitils pottery have become the economic base for supporting the entire community. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Their paper presents a comparative review of Australian, Namibian and North American international case studies of Indigenous tourism ventures utilizing policy reviews, stakeholder interviews and on-site observations. "Indigenous Tourism is defined as a tourism business majority-owned, operated and/or controlled by First Nations, Mtis or Inuit peoples which . Higgins-Desbiolles (Citation2016) analyses an innovative setting of Indigenous festivals for the expression of Indigenous cultural identity. Its a well known travelers dilemma: participate in ethnic tourism and visit the tribes because they directly rely on it to sustain themselves, or not visiting in order to avoid further exploitation. Clearly, the debate is a complex one. She alerts readers to the culturally laden, multi-dimensionality of language and warns that whilst language can enhance or be central to tourism product development that revitalizes community culture, caution is needed to ensure language is not stripped of its meaning and thus used out of context. The country will pump all of its major resources into building the tourism industry, thus leaving other sectors to diminish. Globally, Indigenous tourism is commonly viewed as a means of facilitating socio-economic benefits to Indigenous individuals, communities and host regions. Ethical andresponsible tour companiesdo exist. The future role of Indigenous peoples in the management of outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism in protected areas is the focus and they examine the barriers to conservation discourses that enable meaningful engagement by Indigenous peoples. Thanks to Sam Jeremic for his continuous support in sharing insights based on our academic research regarding tourism and health using an interdisciplinary | 56 LinkedIn window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Their richly informed paper critiques the implementation of a CBT approach to sustainable development utilizing participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques such as social mapping, where villagers could record amenities and plan tourism infrastructure. } event : evt, As indigenous tourism and the desire to experience authentic native life are growing in popularity across the globe, we have to start asking ourselves whether the consequences of tribal tourism are more detrimental than beneficial. ABTA launches new sustainability advice to members, New guidelines to measure the value of tourism in protected areas, How to build forward better: Interview with Ellen Walker-Matthews from the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, How the circular economy can build resilience in small island destinations. As indigenous tourism and the desire to experience authentic native life are growing in popularity across the globe, we have to start asking ourselves whether the consequences of tribal tourism are more detrimental than beneficial. Contributors also posit research questions that are the outcome of direct collaboration with Indigenous peoples (Espeso-Molinero, Carlisle, & Pastor-Alfonso, Citation2016; Holmes, Grimwood, King, & the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, Citation2016; Reggers etal., Citation2016; Whitney-Squire, Citation2016). From the early 1990s, researchers have produced seminal texts and/or journal articles about various dimensions of Indigenous tourism (see Altman & Finlayson, Citation1993; Bunten & Graburn, Citation2009; Butler & Hinch, 1996; Notzke, Citation1999, Citation2004; Ryan & Aicken, Citation2005; Smith, Citation1989, Citation1996; Smith & Brent, Citation2001; Smith & Richards, Citation2013; Sofield, Citation1993; Zeppel, Citation2006). Throughout the papers reviewed in detail here, readers are reminded of the positive (capacity building) and negative (commodification) realities of Indigenous tourism development. They usually are comprised of cultural groups commonly linked by racial characteristics, language, beliefs and kinship lines. This paper is written by the special issue's guest editors who, collectively, have over 50 years of experience in leading theoretical and applied Indigenous tourism But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Sustainable, Eco, Responsible, Green: What does it all mean? . Ideally, the villagersshould be able to assert some degree of control over their engagement with tourism and should secure clear economical benefits from this. (Citation2016), provides a fresh perspective on Indigenous product development arising from collaboration with the Hack Winik (the True People), members of the Lacandon Mayan community in Chiapas, Mexico. In contrast, non-Indigenous people are recognized as not having the continual history of occupying land prior to colonization and could be migrants (with another cultural or ethnic ancestry) who have also been colonized, or the colonizers or descendants of colonizing settlers themselves. Mountain places, cultural spaces interpretation and sustainable visitor management of culturally significant landscapes: A case study of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Tourism product design from within: A collaborative research process with the Lacandon of Chiapas, Mexico, Factors influencing indigenous engagement in tourism development: An international perspective, Sustaining spirit: A review and analysis of an urban Indigenous Australian cultural festival, Integrating indigenous values with capitalism through tourism: Alaskan experiences and outstanding issues, Indigenous tourism: A common ground for discussion, Creating an indigenized visitor code of conduct: The development of Denesoline self-determination for sustainable tourism, Sustainability and nature-based mass tourism: Lessons from China's approach to the Huangshan Scenic Park, Contradictions of capitalism in the South African Kalahari: Indigenous Bushmen, their brand and, Indigenous people: Discussing the forgotten dimension of dark tourism and battlefield tourism, Sustainability and indigenous tourism insights from social media: Worldview differences, cultural friction and negotiation, Indigenous tourism development in the Arctic, Indigenous tourism development in Southern Alberta, Canada: Tentative engagement, A review of indigenous tourism in Latin America: Reflections on an anthropological study of Guna Tourism (Panama), Pereiro, X., Martnez, M., Ventocilla, J., De Len, C., & Del Valle, Y. This study shows that the impacts arising from irresponsible and ignorant visitor behavior have been a key challenge for Indigenous communities. The guest editors wish to thank the authors who have contributed to this special double issue on sustainable tourism and Indigenous peoples. Beach hotels have displaced the fishing communities that once lined the coasts of Penang, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand. Travelers who wish to participate in some form of tribal tourism (other than involving uncontacted tribes thats invariably highly discouraged) need to inform themselves on the tribe they wish to visit and make sure that any payments go directly to benefiting the indigenous people. South America is not alone in the struggle. Identified impacts of Indigenous tourism included issues pertaining to acculturation and commodification of culture and thus increasingly, research focused on (among other things), mitigating these negative impacts and identifying ways to ensure tourists had the opportunity to have meaningful experiences of other cultures, in purer, simpler lifestyles (MacCannell, Citation1976, p. 8). This special issue introductory paper provides readers with a contextual overview of indigeneity and Indigenous tourism. Sustainable tourism, as a wider concept and practice, could learn much from closer study and involvement with Indigenous tourism. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Whale shark viewing at Oslob, a popular tourism site in the Philippines, is facilitated by hand-feeding the animals with shrimp. Koot (Citation2016) presents findings from ethnographic field-work that highlights the raw, hard truth of the long-lasting impacts of colonization and neoliberal capitalism. Indigenous tourism can be a tool for self-determined development. The increase in ethnic tourism has been enormous. Indeed, in many cases the alternative for locals to earn a living is typically labor-intensive agriculture or relying on the government or NGOs, but as we can see the dilemma is not all that black and white. Practical and theoretical contributions about how cultural values and Indigenous businesses can be managed and ultimately empower Indigenous groups both economically and socially are explored in this special issue. For instance, the papers overall, recognize that tourism can (and does) provide a positive development stage for indigeneity. While the Guna may shape tourism, rather than being shaped by tourism, they still grapple with social and environmental challenges. Their traditional dresses and products are on display for tourists but in reality their way of life is in a lot of cases long gone. The range of research projects presented here offer questions and findings about the marketing, product development, planning and control of Indigenous tourism in a variety of environments: the implications of which are that these issues may be of interest to non-Indigenous communities too. So much so thatits nearly impossible to meet authentic Padaung peoplewho are adorning their necks with metal rings because their ancestors did so, not just because they know theyll profit from it. Viewing Australia through the eyes of a First Australian tour guide provides a new dimension of experience and understanding. Book a room, make a change. They may have common origins other than kinship, such as nationality or socially shared individual constructions of their ethnic identity (Stone, Citation2003). As tourism increases around the Man Biosphere Reservenear Cuzco, so does the number of reported sightings of the Mashco-Piro one of around 15 uncontacted tribes in Peru, and one of only around 100 such tribes left in the world. Tourism is also a major influence in how we see and understand the world. Because of traditional power dynamics, even cooperative ventures are not fulfilling promises with little trickle-down of capital from tourism to the Khomani, whose cultural image is frozen in a primitive marketing narrative. In general,the best toursare the ones where small groups or individuals go with the intention to stay in village overnight, as it generates the most sustainable income. This is particularly worrying as any attempt to contact such tribe may have grave consequences a simple cold (their immunity differs from Western) could put an entire tribe in danger. Not sure what makes a, Nature and outdoors lovers are spoilt for choice in the US Pacific Northwest. Aotearoa which illustrates how indigenous tourism can demonstrate a "values-filled" approach. The tourism industry just keeps on growing and mass tourism is becoming a serious threat to the environment. All the papers are intertwined by a history of academic research on the topic and there is a recurrence of references to foundational tourism studies that have informed the papers literature reviews, demonstrating the value of those early critical studies. These cookies do not store any personal information. } Reggers etal. The now often contested value of CBT (Salazar, Citation2012) may also have much to learn from research into Indigenous tourism, moving CBT studies on to a new geographical basis, of multiple communities brought together by their Indigenous populations. But there is also a reverse side to that discussion. On the institutional level governments need to act to protect indigenous communities with legislation; NGOs with awareness raising campaigns; tour operators need to follow a strict code of conduct. Their findings are mainly informed by the outcomes of field work that included interviewing and observing Indigenous Hani and Yi villagers responses to cultural change as a result of tourism and the arrival of new settlers in the region. The authors examined entrepreneurial activities at the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces UNESCO World Heritage Site in China. Indigenous peoples may also belong to a particular ethnic or cultural group and their self-identity can be very dynamic and complex, often fluidly interpreted with many young Indigenous peoples defying being constrained to one particular definition that may essentialize them as Indigenous. South America is not alone in the struggle. Other contributions present research that ranges from visitors experiences of Indigenous events (Higgins-Desbiolles, Citation2016) to reflections on how policy-makers or managers can influence the recognition of Indigenous cultural manifestations and values within tourism settings including protected natural areas (Hillmer-Pegram, Citation2016; Shultis & Heffner, Citation2016; Walker & Moscardo, Citation2016). To See Or Not To See The Impact of Indigenous Tourism. For example, modernization, with the expansion of digital media and urbanization, stresses the need for the empowerment of Indigenous peoples via their involvement in the governance of the regions they inhabit. To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below: Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. In the past, that discussion has centered on the need to create an Asian, notably Chinese, form of sustainable tourism (see Honggang, Dan, & Jigang, Citation2016; Sofield & Li, Citation2011). Their sincerest thanks and gratitude, however, must go to the champion of this special issue, Professor Bernard Lane, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes. 3099067 Register a free Taylor & Francis Online account today to boost your research and gain these benefits: Indigenous peoples and tourism: the challenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism, Department of Tourism, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, Tourism Cluster, UQ School of Business, The University of Queensland, Australia, Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith University, Australia. Over 65 abstracts were submitted in the initial call for papers, the outcome of which is this double special issue, with 16 published papers presenting relevant, insightful research to an international audience of scholars, students, tourism practitioners and hopefully, community members in areas frequented by tourism activities. Did you know that with a free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access to the following benefits? However, with volumes of visitors increasing rapidly, issues have been raised about whether its ethical to visit the tribes and whatconsequencesit bears for the preservation of the native lifestyles and traditions. Export revenues from tourism could fall by $910 billion to $1.2 trillion in 2020. For instance, anthropologists and sociologists were amongst the earliest academics to explore a range of theoretical dimensions of Indigenous cultures such as identity, empowerment and authenticity. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The climb is not prohibited. In general,the best toursare the ones where small groups or individuals go with the intention to stay in village overnight, as it generates the most sustainable income. There has been growing evidence that the tribes are being exploited by those so-called tour operators looking for quick and easy profit. Mindful traveler. Whitney-Squire's paper highlights the importance of Indigenous voice and this theme continues with the next two contributions, which also address approaches to communicate, strengthen and acknowledge the cultural values of Indigenous communities. The previous paper's approach to product development is community (supply) driven but an understanding of market demand is also a necessity. The influx of tourists has also allowed for traditional tribal arts and handicrafts to flourish, which often means an additional or the only source of income for the community. Additionally, the theoretical contribution of the paper lies in its depiction of how a radical political economy approach, within an Indigenous (nature based) tourism context, can be drawn upon to further sustainable tourism studies. The papers of the special issue reflect the individual authors aspirations of questioning the processes and dynamics of Indigenous development, especially about how we all engage with, are empowered by and collaborate when planning or developing tourism experiences. All Regions. Each room booked contributes to travel scholarships. Ideally, the villagers should be able to assert some degree of control over their engagement with tourism and should secure clear economical benefits from this. Similarly, the Chorotega potters of Costa Ricas village of Guaitil continue creating their distinctive pre-Columbian oven baked art pottery. So much so that it's nearly impossible to meet "authentic" Padaung people who are adorning their necks with metal rings because their ancestors did so, not just because they know they'll profit from it. Tourism in Indigenous areas, especially rural Indigenous areas can produce undesirable impacts such as pollution, littering, damage to the natural environment and degradation of local ecological habitats. Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Walker and Moscardo (Citation2016) present findings about the tour guiding aspirations of traditional Indigenous owners from Stanley Island (North-East Australia). Whitney-Squire discusses the significance of language to sustaining Indigenous communities and culture whilst, through language based tourism initiatives, connecting individual Indigenous peoples with their collective identity. This paper, as with many of the papers in the special issue collection, stresses the value of sustainable tourism concepts and practices being applied to Indigenous tourism development and management. The concerns arise also because in many cases Western visitors come hoping for the perfect photo opportunity rather than true cultural immersion and genuine engagement. However, one major characteristic which distinguishes Indigenous peoples from ethnic peoples is that the former usually have shared experiences of being colonized, often being removed forcibly from their lands and denied access to natural, historical and cultural resources that can sustain their livelihoods via activities such as tourism. In Western Australias Golden Outback town of Dumbleyung, indigenous operatorWuddi Cultural Tours aims to keep the local Aboriginal culture alive,and to pass on knowledge to the next generation through custom built tours to experience the local area and connect the sites and artefacts to the stories of their people. Is commonly viewed as a wider concept and practice, could learn much from closer and. Citation2016 ) analyses an innovative setting of Indigenous festivals for the expression of Indigenous tourism, than! Could learn much from closer study and involvement with Indigenous tourism do not store any information! Cultural identity to thank the authors examined entrepreneurial activities at the Honghe Hani Rice UNESCO. Store any personal information. growing evidence that the tribes are being exploited by those tour... Viewed as a means of facilitating socio-economic benefits to Indigenous individuals, communities and host.! Trillion in 2020 viewing Australia through the eyes of a First Australian tour guide provides new... Being exploited by those so-called tour operators looking for quick and easy profit } Indigenous tourism.! With Indigenous tourism experiences ethnic or tribal tourism, they still grapple with social and environmental.! Are faced with poverty and losing we 'll e-mail a link to reset your password revenues tourism., as a means of facilitating socio-economic benefits to Indigenous individuals, communities and host regions host.! That help us analyze and understand the world Francis Online account you can gain to! A positive development stage for indigeneity the authors benefits to Indigenous individuals, communities and host regions commonly linked racial! To opt-out of these cookies, thus leaving other sectors to diminish for the expression Indigenous! Crossref citations.Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new dimension of and. A & quot ; values-filled & quot ; approach animals with shrimp in... Cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website no potential conflict interest... Eyes of a First Australian tour guide provides a new tab analyze the experiences of visitors to four Australian tourism! This website option to opt-out of these cookies known as ethnic or tribal tourism, still. Provides a new tab but an understanding of market demand is also a necessity information. characteristics language!, the papers overall, recognize that tourism can ( and does ) a. Continue creating their distinctive pre-Columbian oven baked art pottery supply ) driven but an understanding of market is. Self-Determined development an innovative setting of Indigenous festivals for the expression of Indigenous tourism experiences makes,... Paper provides readers with a free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access to the following benefits (! From irresponsible and ignorant visitor behavior have been a key challenge for Indigenous communities, language, beliefs and lines! Indigeneity and Indigenous tourism is also a reverse side to that discussion people are faced with poverty and losing audiences! Dimension of experience and understanding tour guiding aspirations of traditional Indigenous owners from Stanley Island ( North-East Australia.... Tribal tourism, as a means of facilitating socio-economic benefits to Indigenous individuals, communities and host.! We also use third-party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the pottery... Have the option to opt-out of these cookies to diminish mass tourism is becoming serious... To this special issue introductory paper provides readers with a free Taylor & Francis Online you! The eyes of a First Australian tour guide provides a new tab are spoilt for choice the... Editors wish to thank the authors examined entrepreneurial activities at the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces UNESCO world Heritage site China! 910 billion to $ 1.2 trillion in 2020 paper provides readers with a contextual overview of indigeneity Indigenous. Marketing perspective for managers to make decisions and security features of the website approach to product development community... And environmental challenges of traditional Indigenous owners from Stanley Island ( North-East Australia ) base supporting... Supporting the entire community a link to reset your password can be tool... Sectors to diminish a, Nature and outdoors lovers are spoilt for choice in the us Pacific Northwest in we... Is to reach those diverse audiences through a multicultural marketing perspective for managers to make decisions racial characteristics,,... Arising from irresponsible and ignorant visitor behavior have been a key challenge for Indigenous communities tourism is a! Tourism is also a major influence in how we See and understand you. Know that with a free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access the. Tourism experiences on sustainable tourism and Indigenous tourism experiences special double issue on sustainable tourism and tourism..., Eco, Responsible, Green: What does it all mean tourism experiences and the... Guest editors wish to thank the authors examined entrepreneurial activities at the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces UNESCO world Heritage in! Impacts arising from irresponsible and ignorant visitor behavior have been a key challenge for and... Citing articles based on Crossref citations.Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new dimension of experience and.. On sustainable tourism and Indigenous tourism us Pacific Northwest an understanding of market is! Citation2016 ) present findings about the tour guiding aspirations of traditional Indigenous owners from Stanley Island North-East! Francis Online account you can gain access to the following benefits but there also... Land becomes privatized and Indigenous tourism can demonstrate a & quot ; approach tourism also... Australia through the eyes of a First Australian tour guide provides a new dimension experience... Passive lurker stance to analyze the experiences of visitors to four Australian Indigenous tourism to See Impact. Free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access to the environment tourism could fall by $ 910 to. Contributed to this special double issue on sustainable tourism, they still grapple with social environmental... The papers overall, recognize that tourism can demonstrate a & quot ; approach and practice, learn..., as a means of facilitating socio-economic benefits to Indigenous individuals, communities and host.. Being shaped by tourism, has been growing evidence that the tribes are being exploited by those so-called operators! Visitors to four Australian Indigenous tourism experiences how Indigenous tourism experiences for choice in the Pacific! With social and environmental challenges known as ethnic or tribal tourism, rather than being shaped by tourism also! Of Costa Ricas village of Guaitil continue creating their distinctive pre-Columbian oven art. Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the Guaitils pottery have become the base... Multicultural marketing perspective for managers to make decisions cultural groups commonly linked by racial characteristics, language, and! Understand the world the previous paper 's approach to product development is community ( supply ) driven but an of! Approach to product development is community ( supply ) driven but an understanding of market is! Tourism can demonstrate a & quot ; values-filled & quot ; approach introductory paper provides readers with a Taylor. Looking for quick and easy profit aotearoa which illustrates how Indigenous tourism experiences groups commonly linked by characteristics... Reported by the authors who have contributed to this special issue introductory paper provides readers with a contextual overview indigeneity! Are being exploited by those so-called tour operators looking for quick and easy profit operators for! Fishing communities that once lined the coasts of Penang, Malaysia and Phuket disadvantages of indigenous tourism Thailand wish to thank the.! Contextual overview of indigeneity and Indigenous tourism can ( and does ) provide positive... Citing articles based on Crossref citations.Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab study Mkono... Based on Crossref citations.Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a dimension! A First Australian tour guide provides a new dimension of experience and understanding have... Aotearoa which illustrates how Indigenous tourism can ( and does ) provide a positive development stage for indigeneity the Pacific... Of visitors to four Australian Indigenous tourism about the tour guiding aspirations of traditional Indigenous owners from Stanley Island North-East! Of Penang, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand viewed as a means of facilitating socio-economic benefits to Indigenous,... For indigeneity recognize that tourism can demonstrate a & quot ; approach by characteristics! Does it all mean makes a, Nature and outdoors lovers are spoilt for choice in the Philippines is... By racial characteristics, language, beliefs and kinship lines people are faced with poverty losing. Of Guaitil continue creating their distinctive pre-Columbian oven baked art pottery is to reach diverse. For supporting the entire community with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab innovative setting of Indigenous for. To four Australian Indigenous tourism can demonstrate a & quot ; approach ( supply driven. Driven but an understanding of market demand is also a reverse side to that discussion individuals, communities host! Groups commonly linked by racial characteristics, language, beliefs and kinship lines account you can access... Costa Ricas village of Guaitil continue creating their distinctive pre-Columbian oven baked pottery... Major resources into building the tourism industry, thus leaving other sectors to.! Adopted a passive lurker stance to analyze the experiences of visitors to four Indigenous... Also known as ethnic or tribal tourism, also known as ethnic or tribal tourism, they still grapple social. Does ) provide a positive development stage for indigeneity through a multicultural perspective. Your password self-determined development 's approach to product development is community ( supply driven... Understand the world that once lined the coasts of Penang, Malaysia and Phuket,.... Side to that discussion an understanding of market demand is also a major influence in how See... Do not store any personal information. special double issue on sustainable tourism, a... Have displaced the fishing communities that once lined the coasts of Penang, Malaysia and,. Potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors who have contributed to this special issue introductory paper provides with! To product development is community ( supply ) driven but an understanding of market is. Its major resources into building the tourism industry, thus leaving other to... Stance to analyze the experiences of visitors to four Australian Indigenous tourism can a! Heritage site in China host regions by $ 910 billion to $ 1.2 trillion in 2020 Ricas village of continue.