An Inquiry Into Tourism, Communities and Community-Based Tourism in Cambodia

Voices in the Village: An inquiry into tourism, communities and community-based tourism in Cambodia Simon Alex Pawson A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) of The Australian National University December 2017 Ó Simon Alex Pawson 2017 All Rights Reserved This work is the result of original research carried out by the author, except where otherwise cited in the text. On 30/03/2012 human ethics protocol 2011/224 was approved by the Research Integrity and Compliance Office, The Australian National University, for this thesis. Simon Alex Pawson Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs College of Asia and the Pacific The Australian National University ii Acknowledgements As I write the following acknowledgements, it is most fitting I sit in one of my favorite places at The Australian National University, the Menzies Library, where I am surrounded by the Southeast Asian collection that has become a trusted guide and friend over the last seven years. This building, this place inspires learning. It has done so for me and for many others who have gone before. Upon reflection, I tend to believe my passion for academia and research began many years ago. My earliest recollection belongs to my early childhood days, sitting at my mother’s sewing desk, pretending it was a teacher’s desk while attempting to teach my teddy bears who were neatly aligned in front of me. I also made good use of a red pen and stamp pad to mark their work (in reality work I had already completed for school). I now believe it was completing Year Twelve at The Armidale School (1987) that later provided the foundation for me to pursue a teaching and research career many years later. I often tell my current students the story of ‘Sunday afternoons with Mr Wilkinson’. As part of my Year Twelve studies I sat for Three Unit Modern History. There were only a handful of students who were also completing the same Unit. Apart from the usual Monday to Friday classes, our teacher Mr. Alan Wilkinson gave up his Sunday afternoons to meet with us in Classroom F1 and spent the entire afternoon simply leading inclusive, and often fascinating conversation concerning matters related to modern history. We all contributed toward providing afternoon tea, because weekend catering at school was fairly dismal. This was not your usual teacher standing in front of the class and teaching scenario; it was an open forum where we all encouraged each other to share thoughts and opinions on all things comprising modern history. Alan’s ability to encourage learning and the pursuit of knowledge through mutually shared conversation was truly inspirational. All these years later, I now reflect fondly on these bygone afternoons and truly believe my love of learning was a consequence of Alan’s teaching approach, especially his Sunday afternoons. At school, I was not your ‘top of the class’ student, and often failed to put as much effort toward my studies that was required. I still have one of my Year Twelve modern history essays entitled ‘To what extent did western penetration of China in the 18th Century bring about the collapse of the Manchu Dynasty?’. Alan’s comments were as follows, ‘the greatest problem with your essay is a lack of adequate analysis. Your research is reasonable, but you tend towards story-telling rather than using evidence to support your assertions. You must overcome this tendency. There are errors of expression and spelling which must be rectified’. Alan, all these years later, I sincerely hope I have done you proud, and this thesis reflects your superb teaching, impeccable standards, and thirst for maintaining scholarly excellence. iii Very similar to Alan’s Sunday afternoons is what I have now become to fondly refer to as ‘lunch with Dr Jill at Petersham Heights’. I first met Dr Jill McRae some years ago. Instantly we formed a bond, as we soon discovered we knew the same people and shared similar interests and beliefs. It was not long before Jill invited me around to her apartment for lunch. Walking into her apartment (museum may be better word) for the first time, you just knew lunch would take quite a few hours. During that first lunch we must have conversed for at least five hours discussing history, politics, human rights, indigenous issues and of course education. I still recall Jill’s voice telling me ‘The Australian National University is this country’s leading University. Just look at the Times Higher Education Rankings. You must complete your PhD, and this is the place to do it’. Once I commenced my PhD, lunch at Dr Jill’s has become a regular occurrence, not only to discuss my studies, but also to explore topics of interest to both of us. Jill’s latest email to me once again reinforced the magnitude of scholarly pursuit. She wrote ‘striving imposes a punitive residue, once you’ve reached the summit and elected to head off into the wild blue yonder with flowers in your hair. We underestimate how much of us is appropriated by the rigors of scholarship, most of which is invisible to the outsider. As doubtless you are now all-too-aware, it is not a club to which one is admitted without proof of worth’. As my External PhD Advisor, Jill has been an integral part of my journey over the last seven years. I am indebted for her passion, kindness and relentless pursuit to ensure I completed this body of work and was able to demonstrate my own ‘proof of worth’. Two other people responsible for ensuring that I completed this scholarly contribution were my Supervisory Chair, Associate Professor, Dr Paul D’Arcy and Supervisor, Dr Judith Cameron. Over the years, Paul has become much more than a supervisor, he has also become a mentor and friend. The wonderful conversations about Cambodia, politics, education, Monty Python and Dr Who in his Coombs office while sitting in the wonderful mid-century modern arm chairs will be sadly missed. Paul’s continued interest in my doctoral studies, and his constant guidance throughout my fieldwork and chapter construction nurtured me through to completion. Paul had an added challenge, because I was a part time PhD scholar and not based on campus. I have worked full-time throughout my studies and in 2016, my wife and I had our first child. Despite these complexities, Paul has supported my efforts. I say honestly and sincerely that Paul is one of the most outstanding and professional supervisors a doctoral student could ask. Judith, my secondary supervisory, has also been integral to my studies, especially during the early years. Meeting Judith in her office throughout the years, and again talking of all things Cambodian and of matters related to research greatly assisted me establish the direction of my studies and associated fieldwork. In addition, I owe sincere thanks to the Community-Based Tourism Project and villagers of Banteay Chhmar for allowing me to incorporate the Project and community in my research. Over the years I have formed a strong bond of friendship with people from Banteay iv Chhmar, especially Sopheng and Sreymom, Sophal and Andrew. All have given up their time and shared their knowledge in order to answer my many questions and support my fieldwork. When my wife and I returned to Banteay Chhmar in 2016, we were welcomed as family; and throughout our stay we very much felt part of the community. I also make particular reference to three young ladies, Lenna, Chhomdeb and Channyka, whose passion and optimism about their, and Cambodia’s future was, and continues to be truly inspirational. There is something very special about Banteay Chhmar and its people. I sincerely hope the sense of community and pride in their achievements remains strong. Even though my research has concluded, I will continue to stay engaged with this special place. Let me also make special mention of Dr Scott Richardson. I joined Scott’s team at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School as his Deputy Head of School in 2014. Scott’s background in tourism research soon stimulated conversation about my doctoral studies, and instantly Scott became interested in my topic. He was also quite concerned about my ability to complete, given the part-time nature of my studies. Scott strongly recommended we jointly publish articles drawn from my dissertation. He believed that this strategy would assist toward ensuring I remained focused on completion. Thanks to Scott’s constant support and guidance, I was able to publish two of my chapters in 2016, one for a journal and another for a book. My sincere thanks to you, Scott, particularly over the last three years; I am sure our research partnership will continue. In conclusion, my greatest asset and strongest inspiration is my family that is my father, Geoffrey, my mother, Giovanna, Sokha, my wife, and our son Alex Dara. I cannot thank you enough for your support, encouragement and above all, patience throughout. Over the past seven years my family have made significant sacrifices thus allowing me the time to complete. My wife has accompanied me on all fieldwork trips; more, she has provided me with an in- depth understanding of the Cambodian people and their culture, established important connections for me, and above all been a wonderful mother to our son, particularly by keeping him occupied while I was writing these chapters. Our son arrived during the last year of my studies and having him around inspires me every day to be the best dad and scholar I can be. One day I hope he will read this manuscript and understand why I chose to dedicate seven years of my life to the study of development of his country, Cambodia.

Load more