sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alternative tourism

TOUR 101: INTRODUCTION TO TOURISMj

Lecture 24: Alternative paradigms in T i m B a i r d M C o m ( H o n s ) Lincoln University, New Zealand Summer School, January 2019 Readings

• Course Text: – Weaver & Lawton (2014). Chapter 11: (pp. 317–354).

• TOUR 101 web page: – Reading 12: Cumming (2010). New Zealand: 100 per cent pure hype. Lecture Overview

• Alternative tourism (alternative to mass tourism)

• Competing paradigms (Western – Green)

• The Green Traveller What is alternative tourism?

• ‘Alternative tourism’ is the term used to refer to tourism that is an alternative to Mass Tourism

• The cautionary platform identified challenges associated with tourism [growth], but did not articulate more appropriate options in response

• Alternative tourism appeared in 1980s in association with Adaptancy Platform (often smaller- scale tourism alternatives)

• Two types of alternative tourism development: Circumstantial Alternative Tourism (CAT), and Deliberate Alternative Tourism (DAT).

 Maintaining destination development characteristics at Butler’s ‘exploration and/or involvement’ stages What is alternative tourism?

• ‘Alternative tourism’ is the term used to refer to tourism that is an alternative to Mass Tourism

• Nature-based tourism • • Farm-based tourism • • Adventure tourism

• Publications informing alternative tourism

Debates on sustainable tourism is part of a wider sustainability discourse…

From: Weaver & Lawton, 2014, pg. 321 Mass Tourism vs. Alternative Tourism

Mass Tourism Alternative Tourism

• ‘Dependable’-friendly • ‘Venturer’-friendly • High tourist numbers; • Low tourist numbers • Package tourism; highly seasonal • Individual arrangements; no distinct seasonality • Spatial concentration of tourism infrastructure • Tourism infrastructure dispersed throughout area • Extensive leakages & non-local control of businesses • Minimal leakages & local control of industry • High levels of pressure on the social & physical • Low level of pressure on social & physical environment environment • Inauthentic, staged tourist experiences • Authentic, educational tourist experiences Types of alternative tourism often include:

• Ethnic Tourism • Indigenous Tourism • Cultural Tourism • Educational Tourism • • Community Tourism • • Events Tourism • (food, wine, beer, cheese, • Film Tourism coffee, etc.) • • Farm/agri-tourism • Arts Tourism • Yoga retreats • Adventure tourism • Ecotourism Mannifestation of Deliberate Alternative Tourism (DAT) include:

• Cultural villages • Homestays • Feminist • Indigenous tourism • Older adult tourism • farms • Social awareness travel • Youth • Personal awareness tourism • • Educational tourism • Volunteer tourism • Guesthouses The sustainability of mass tourism and alternative tourism

There is an assumption that mass tourism is an unsustainable form of tourism…

…what is the basis of this assumption?

…is mass tourism necessarily ‘unsustainable’?

Weaver & Lawton (1998) What is cultural tourism?

A form of alternative tourism

• “customised into other cultures and places to learn about their people, lifestyle, heritage and arts in an informed way that genuinely represents those cultures and their historical contexts” (Craik, 2001, p.114)

• Emphasis is on education, experience, communication, authenticity, transparency and honesty of exchange.

 What type(s) of tourist might seek these qualities? Cultural tourism: a new ‘buzzword’?

• Cultural tourism is recognised as distinct product category in late 1970s – Initially viewed as specialised ‘niche’ product – 1990s: recognised as a high profile, mass market activity, undertaken on up to 240 million international trips/year – WTO (1993) estimated that 37% of international trips had a cultural component, increasing annually by 15%

 Why are tourists drawn increasingly to ‘cultural tourism’?  What type of tourist (person) might be attracted to this emergent niché product? Reasons for renewed interst – demand factors

• Growth in the ‘new tourist’ or ‘green traveller’ – Seek individualised, educative, ‘authentic’ experiences; something new and unique

• Changing demographics of tourists – Seniors market: interested in history and culture – Baby Boomers (and increasingly Millennials) associated with ‘green paradigm’

• Attitude shift: – From 1960s – indigenous rights and heritage preservation movements and policies – Growth in ‘nostalgia’ and genealogical interest – Growing exposure to world cultures – places seen on TV/Internet Reasons for renewed interest – supply factors

Destination managers: – Replace attractions that no longer appeal – Add additional attractions to their product offerings – Culture helps to differentiate the ‘unique’ in a destination – More sustainable form of tourism – fewer negative impacts – Cultural tourists spend more money

Governments: – important source of jobs and money for preservation works – reinforces particular version of national or local identity (this is important in ‘nation-building’) Reasons for renewed interest – supply factors

Cultural heritage managers: – Source of money for expensive preservation or conservation work – Opportunity to educate and share knowledge – Preserve traditions, handcrafts, language, performances

Local communities: – Growing pride in local history and culture – More sustainable tourism means involving local people in tourism initiatives (as guides, operators, performers) Eco-tourism

A form of alternative tourism (but also has mass tourism components, such as whale- watching and )

“travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas” (cited in Weaver, 2001, p.3)

Eco-tourism: responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people http://travelatelier.com/blog/ties-announces-ecotourism-principles-revision-/ Principles of Eco-tourism

Five Key Principles of Eco-tourism:

1. Nature-based 2. Ecologically sustainable 3. Environmentally educational 4. Locally beneficial Eco-tourism is a misused term 5. Generates visitor satisfaction – Much wildlife tourism or nature- based tourism is called ‘ecotourism’, but is not practiced in a sustainable way

• Form of ‘Greenwashing’ Prominent world Eco-tourism destinations

Weaver & Lawton, 2014, pg. 342 Competing paradigms / paradigm shift: Dominant Western Paradigm

– Founded in Realism, Scientific Enlightenment, Industrial – Social hierarchies, class/wealth systems, “1%” Revolution, personal freedom – Individual achievement (e.g., “American Dream”) – Politically and socially conservative but economically liberal – ‘McDonaldization’: efficiency, predictability, calculability, control – Epitomised by neo-liberalism: a philosophy whose advocates support economic liberalisations, free trade – Related to capitalism and the ‘growth paradigm’ and open markets, privatisation, deregulation, and enhancing the role of the private sector in modern society Competing paradigms / paradigm shift: Green paradigm

– Founded in Cultural Renaissance, Romanticism, and Marxism

– Epitomised by social and political liberalism; forms of socialism

– Characterised as anti-consumerist, anti-Capitalist, anti-materialist

– Pro-environmental, sociocultural, and economic sustainability

– Related to ‘de-growth paradigm,’ permaculture, Eastern philosophies/theologies (e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism), living Earth

 (soon to be the new dominant Western paradigm?) The ‘green traveller’

Characteristics of the ‘green’ consumer and traveller: • Sensitive to local cultures • Conscious of social justice concerns • Knowledgeable about environmental issues • More independent-minded and discerning • Prefers flexible and spontaneous itineraries • Wishes to have positive impact on the destination • Searches for authentic and meaningful experiences • Motivated by a desire for self-fulfilment and learning • Seeks physically and mentally challenging experiences Competing paradigms / paradigm shift

Weaver & Lawton, 2014, pg. 328 Competing paradigms / paradigm shift Criticisms of alternative tourism

• Conflicts with locals’ values (reflects ‘Western’ values imposed on local people; green paradigm is still a Western ideology) • May be more intrusive than mass tourism (e.g., more direct contact) • Locals may prefer mass tourism (e.g., separate frontstage/backstage) • Keeps destinations in an underdeveloped condition • Not as much money (fewer services, lower carrying capacity) • Elitist: enables small number of wealthy tourists to enjoy destinations others can’t afford; destination often controlled by local elite • Still uses airlines and other mass tourism products that contribute to environmental and social problems • ‘Greenwashing’ and misuse of terms like ‘eco-tourism’

 Alternative tourism and the green paradigm may not actually have as many benefits for locals… That’s it 