indigenous tourism

8/2/2019 Indigenous Tourism

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IndigenousTourism

Indigeneity Primary characteristic of indigeneity

strong sense of unity with the environment

Secondary characteristics

a relationship with the environment that has endured over time;

distinctive culture and custom

distinctive system ofknowledge

environmentalsustainability

Unique language

Indigenous Peoples: Definition Issues

The concept of indigenous is not capable of a precise, inclusivedefinition that can be applied in the same manner to all regions of theworld Erica-Irene Daes (Chairperson of the Working Group onIndigenous Populations)

Indigenous communities, peoples and nations are those, which, havinga historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies thatdeveloped on their territories, consider themselves distinct from othersectors of the societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of

them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of the societies andare determined to preserve, develop and transmit to future generationstheir ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of theircontinued existence as peoples, in accordance with their culturalpartners, social institutions and legal systems - United Nationsspecial Rapporteur Martinez Cobo

The noble savage

A contrasting view of indigenous people

that survives today:

Does civilization actually improve the

quality of human life?

Negative affects of European

colonialism coupled with local

experiences with the industrial

revolution drew into question the

benefits of civilization.

From a romanticists perspectiveprimitive people lived a fuller more

egalitarian life. They were untouched by

the corrupting influence of civilization

and industrialization.

The Lost/stolen Generation In Australia, Aboriginal

people were seen to both apeople without history and apeople without a future.

From 1885 to the 1970s theAustralian government tookaboriginal children from theirfamilies and placed them inEuropean homes and fostercare.

Indigenous people and citizenship rights

Until 1993 Aboriginal peoplehad land rights because withintheir culture they had no fixedabode, fields or flocks, norinternal hierarchicaldifferentiation

Into the 1960s Aborigines hadextremely limited citizenshiprights (like the right to vote)and the government maintainedan extremely paternalisticattitude toward Aborigines, likemaking it illegal for them toconsume alcohol.


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Framework for Indigenous Tourism

Occurs within context of globaltourism industry

Dominated by non-indigenousactors

Characterised by temporal andspatial dimensions of theenvironment

Part of broader externalenvironment

Cultural Commodification

Commodification (or commoditization) is thetransformation of goods and services (or things that may not

normally be regarded as goods or services) into a

commodity.

When we apply this to a culture, it means that parts of the

culture; artefacts, clothing, dance, music, folklore,

architecture, heritage and geographic landscapes; are being

packaged and offered for sale.

Loss of Culture

Many indigenous cultures feel that they suffer a form of cultureloss because they do not control the commodification of theirculture through tourism.

Culture can be seen as a form of intellectual propertymeaning that it is owned by an individual or group, and no-onehas the right to take or use it without the permission of the

owners.

This means that tourism that is focussed around, and profits

from, indigenous cultures without their consent or approval

could be theft (financial and intellectual) and can also be very

offensive.

Interactions with dominant cultures also means the spread of

dominant values and beliefs, some of which may contradict the

values of the indigenous group and cause conflict within the

culture.

Reduction of Culture They also run the risk of reducing their culture to a single

element.

Loss of Land Another concern is when tourist industries hamper indigenous

cultures ability to carry on their way of life.

For example, In 2002, the Botswana Bushmen were forcibly expelledfrom the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), part of theirtraditional ancestral lands and essential to maintaining a sustainablelifestyle. This area sees huge revenues from Eco-tourism and safaris.After going to court, their land was reinstated in 2006. Despite thecourt ruling, the government has since banned them from accessing aborehole, which they rely on for water.


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Environment With an increase in tourists,

comes an increase in garbage,pollution, resource use,infrastructure development,etc., all of which can upset thebalance between humans andenvironment and couldpotentially affect indigenouspeople in a negative way.

Promotes Sustainability

It can be a positive, however, if it takes place on their own

terms, serves their interests and promotes the image they

wish to share about themselves and their cul ture.

Many cultures want to share and interact with other groups,

but few want to be just a sideshow attraction.

Common Concerns of Indigenous

Peoples

Cultural and linguistic preservation

Land rights

Ownership and exploitation of natural resources

Political determination and autonomy

Cultural/Intellectual property rights

Commodification of culture (eg. haka, koru, moko)

Environmental degradation

Poverty

Health

discrimination

Indigenous Tourism:

key features

Connected with indigenous culture, values and traditions

-focuses on indigenous knowledge of culture and nature

Tourism products owned and operated by indigenous people - basedon indigenous land and cultural identity, controlled from within byindigenous groups

Typically involves small touri sm businesses owned by tr ibes or families

4Hs - Includes indigenous habitat, heritage, history and handicrafts(Smith V. 1996)

Based on Swain (1989); Parker (1993); Hinch & Butler (1996); Smith (1996)

Control of Tourism

For Maori or iwi tribes the key issue in tourism is control, notwealth (Hall 1996)

If the relationship between tourism and culture is to be sustainable,however, tourism will have to be developed in harmony withcommunity interests. It will have to protect and preserve traditionalcultures, fostering sensitivity to and appreciation for cultural practices(Moscardo, 1999; Sofield, 1991).

It is therefore essential that indigenous peoples maintain ownershipand control over product development and cultural experiences

Maori Involvement in Tourism 1800sMaori Involvement in Tourism 1800sMaori Involvement in Tourism 1800sMaori Involvement in Tourism 1800s

Maori involvement in NZs tourism industry has a history of over

140 years (in particular in Rotorua)

First hotels and guiding operations in the district were either wholly

or party owned and operated by Maori. They acted as guides,

accommodation providers and entertainers to tourist

Dept of Tourist and Health Resorts est. 1901

the first Govt dept in the world. Linked with trade,

Tourism and overseas funds saw Maori culture

as important to economic growth of tourism in the

region


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Maori Tourism Icons: Rotorua

Showpiece of Maoridom

Maori Arts and Craft Institute est. 1963 byAct of Parliament to preserve Maori

culture Concerns were voiced about culture

exploitation for touristic purposes

Creation of 3 main attractions thermalreserve, centre where arts andperformance were regularly on view, andthe carving school

Re-branded TE PUIA (2006) as 3 distinctmarketable products

$17million upgrade includes:

(new visitor centre, 500 seat restaurant,new innovative interactive attraction,interpretive walks, carving & weavingschools)

Maori tourism operations

such as Whalewatch Kaikouraand Tamaki Tours were

benchmark success stories for

MT development in the

1990s

http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=VmNqtJRmbGA

http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=B9_WKOIOobQ

Maori Tourism Icons: Whalewatch

Kaikoura

DEFINITIONS of Maori Tourism There has been a lack of a recognised definition of Maori tourism due to the

conceptual difficulty in defining a Maori tourism business and product. The conceptencompasses different elements: Maori culture and identity, tourism, business,and product.

Therefore relative lack of understanding of Maori participation in the tourismindustry

MOT has 2 categories:

- Maori in Tourism (people related)- Maori Cultural Tourism (activities related

involving Maori culture)

Demand for Maori Cultural TourismTe Ahu Mai he whao tapoi Maori (Dec 2004)

20% international visitors experience Maori culture during their stay in NewZealand

report highlighted what travellers think about Maori cultural products Identified opportunities for MT operators provided specific guidance for development Maori cultural products rates more favourably than products of other

indigenous cultures overall satisfaction tended to be highest where there was physical &

emotional involvement with the particular activity being experienced Clear message that better translation and explanation will help engage the

visitor and increase the satisfaction levels Maori culture is the one thing that sets us apart from other countries (domestic

traveller)

Maori Tourism Today what is it?

The analogy of

the past was that

Maori were merely

Passengers in the

back of the bus.

Today, Maori own

The bus and the

Company (DoverSamuels Associate

Minister Tourism, 2004)

Kaupapa (traditional Mori ways of

doing, being, and thinking ) Maori

Manaakitanga - Hospitality

Kaitiakitanga - Stewardship

Wairuatanga - Spirituality

Tau utu utu - Reciprocity

Whanaungatanga - Family

Aroha - Love


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Tourism NZ Strategic Plan

The principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and

manaakitanga (hospitality) are the basis for a uniquely New

Zealand approach to sustainability. By delivering on these

principles, the tourism sector will provide hospitality to its

visitors while protecting and managing our culture and

environment.

The Culturally significant landscapeThe Culturally significant landscapeThe Culturally significant landscapeThe Culturally significant landscape

Symbolic intangible historical associations

May be natural or modified Significant to iwi turangawaewae & kaitiakitanga (a place to stand &

stewardship)

NZs landscape under increasing pressure recreational and leisure needs of national

and international visitors

Traditional interactions altered with Treaty settlements political associations;

ownership and management issues

Sense of place (Relph 1976) - Pepeha

Interpretation of the Cultural Landscape

The interpretation of Maori perspectives of the environment i s

therefore considered a way of strengthening iwi relationships with

traditional resources and historic heritage (Keelan 1996)

The increased use of this taonga as subject matter in interpretive

material widens the audience from a traditional Maori base to other

community members, and, consequently, visitors to the area

DoC NZ governments primary land manager encouraged to

preserve & protect values held by Maori

Recommended reading Butler, R. and Hinch, T. (2007) Tourism and indigenous peoples: issues

and implications. Butterworth-Heinemann

Ryan, C. (2005) Indigenous tourism: the commodification and

management of culture. Elsevier

Whitford, M., Bell, B. and Watkins, M. (2001) Indigenous Tourism

Policy in Australia: 25 Years of Rhetoric and Economic

Rationalism.Current I ssues in Tourism 4(2-4): 151-181.

Hall, C.M. and Mitchell, I. and Keelan, N. (1993) The implicationsof Maori perspectives for the management and promotion of

heritage tourism in New Zealand. GeoJournal 29(3): 315-322.

Workshop

NEDC, British ColumbiaNEDC, British ColumbiaNEDC, British ColumbiaNEDC, British Columbia

Indigenous in BusinessIndigenous in BusinessIndigenous in BusinessIndigenous in Business,,,,

AustraliaAustraliaAustraliaAustralia

Financial Viability

Customer Service

Innovative Practices

Exposure (recognition within

the Nuu-chah-nulth and other

communities)

Years of Operation

Environmental Footprint

Nature of Product/Service

Cultural Preservation

Contributions to society

Hardship endured

Financial obstacles overcome

Social obstacles overcome

Company financial viability

Fiscal application to company

Positioning in the marketplace

Potential future growth in themarketplace

Ingenuity and creativeness in themarket place

Contribution to Australia and itssocial fabric

Contribution to the community

indigenous tourism

Documents