Routledge Indigenous Tourism: The Commodification and Mangement Of Culture

In a world characterized by an encroaching homogeneity induced by the growth of multi-national corporations and globalization, the causes of difference accrue new levels of importance. This is as true of tourism as in many other spheres of life – and one cause of differentiation for tourism promotion is the culture of Indigenous Peoples. This offers opportunities for cultural renaissance, income generation and enhanced political empowerment, but equally there are possible costs of creating commodities out of aspects of life that previously possessed spiritual meaning. This book examines these issues from many different perspectives; from those of product design and enhancement; of the aspirations of various minority groupings; and the patterns of displacements that occur – displacements that are not simply spatial but also social and cultural. How can these changes be managed? Case studies and analysis is offered, derived from many parts of the globe including North America, Asia and Australasia. The contributors themselves have, in many instances, worked closely with groups and organizations of Indigenous Peoples and attempt to give voice to their concerns. The book is divided into various themes, each with a separate introduction and commentary. The themes are Visitor Experiences, Who manages Indigenous Cultural Tourism Product, Events and Artifacts, Conceptualisation and Aspiration. In a short final section the silences are noted – each silence representing a potential challenge for future research to build upon the notions and lessons reported in the book. The book is edited by Professor Chris Ryan from New Zealand, and Michelle Aicken of Horwath Asia Pacific. Review "...the volume is at once a candid depiction of indigenous tourism during the early years of the twenty-first century, and a guide for what remains to be accomplished." -Mark J. Okrant, TOURISM MANAGEMENT (2005) "The work is well-organized and informative." -Janet Chang, ANNALS OF TOURISM RESEARCH (2005) About the Author Professor Chris Ryan has been at the University of Waikato since 1998, having arrived from his previous post of Professor of Tourism at the Northern Territory University. Chris is the editor of 'Tourism Management', has written well over 100 academic journal articles, book chapters and conference papers and some books. In 1999 he was appointed to the APEC Tourism Minister's Advisory Committee by the Korean Social Science Association for Tourism for the 2000 APEC Tourism Minister's conference, and again for the 2004 APEC Tourism Ministers' Conference held in Chile by the APEC Centre for Sustainable Tourism. Other international work includes work for the World Tourism Organisation. Within New Zealand he has completed work for Tourism New Zealand, the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Auckland, Tourism Waikato and individual private sector organisations. One of these pieces of work, in 2004, required a review of New Zealand's Tourism Research Strategy on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism. His experiences range from work involved in helping to establish a World Heritage Site to advising on pricing for a jet boat operation. Chris is an Hononary Professor of the University of Wales and visits the Centre for Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Wales Institute at Cardiff on an annual basis. He is interested in research methods and epistemologies, and in tourist behaviours and the consequences of those behaviours in terms of impacts - social, psychological and environmental; and in the business organisations that shape those tourist experiences. His social science background is in economics and psychology having degrees from London, Nottingham, Nottingham Trent and Aston Universities.