Exploring the Socio-Cultural Impacts of Cruise Ship Tourism on Port Vila, Vanuatu Residents, and Their Coping Strategies
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CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Lincoln University Research Archive Dosalsal, the floating ones: Exploring the socio-cultural impacts of cruise ship tourism on Port Vila, Vanuatu residents, and their coping strategies _____________________ A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Tourism Management at Lincoln University by A. L. Niatu _____________________ Lincoln University 2007 Abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Tourism Management Dosalsal, the floating ones: Exploring the socio-cultural impacts of cruise ship tourism on Port Vila, Vanuatu residents, and their coping strategies by A. L. Niatu The purpose of this study was to explore the socio-cultural impacts of cruise ship tourism on Port Vila residents and their coping strategies. The study was conducted in Port Vila over the months of June and July 2006. It employs the use of a qualitative research methodology, of participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with a range of tourism stakeholders, including the government, the church and chiefs, as well as a number of small businesses such as public transport operators, small indigenous tour operators and market vendors. These observations and interviews were conducted at the Mama’s Haus project, Centre Point Market Place, and the main wharf area. This thesis was initially aimed at exploring the strategies that the residents of Port Vila used to cope with the impacts caused by cruise ship tourism. As the research progressed, it become apparent from primary data collected that market vendors have not just adapted to the impacts of cruise ship tourism, but that the consequences of their adaptation may be seen as empowering them. They are empowered not just economically, but also psychologically, socially and politically. However, it must be acknowledged that not all small tourist operators in this study felt positively about the impacts of cruise ship tourism; some may be seen as being disempowered. Furthermore, the empowerment of these market vendors is dependent on the continuous flow of cruise ship visits to Port Vila; something beyond their control. The cancellation of future trips or decrease in the number of cruise ship voyages will have significant consequences for the sustainability of this informal sector and the longevity of these micro-enterprises. The study finding implies that coping strategies should not just address how residents and communities cope or respond to tourism, but should also go further by addressing the consequences of the coping strategies adopted. ii Keywords: Vanuatu, cruise ship tourism, tourism, Pacific Islands, coping strategies, attitudes and perceptions, socio-cultural impacts, small island states, empowerment, disempowerment, dependency, neo-colonialism. iii Dedication For my mum and dad…. thank you for your love and prayers and for never stop believing in me. Thank you also for sacrificing the little you have to put me through school. iv Contents Page Abstract .....................................................................................................................................ii Dedication.................................................................................................................................iv Contents.....................................................................................................................................v List of table and figures .........................................................................................................vii List of acronyms ....................................................................................................................viii Glossary of Vanuatu Bislama words....................................................................................viii Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................1 1.2 Why study cruise ship tourism? .....................................................................1 1.3 Research objectives........................................................................................3 1.4 Definition of words ........................................................................................3 1.5 Statement of approach....................................................................................4 1.6 Structure of the thesis.....................................................................................4 Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................5 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................5 2.2 Impact studies on cruise tourism....................................................................5 2.2.1 Economic impacts ..............................................................................5 2.2.2 Environmental impacts.......................................................................8 2.2.3 Social impacts.....................................................................................9 2.3 Factors influencing resident responses towards tourism..............................10 2.4 Resident coping strategies............................................................................13 2.5 Tourism and empowerment..........................................................................18 2.6 Tourism dependency and neo-colonialism...................................................19 2.7 Chapter summary .........................................................................................20 Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................21 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................21 3.2 Site selection ................................................................................................21 3.3 Data collection .............................................................................................22 3.4 Research methodology.................................................................................26 3.5 Participant observation.................................................................................27 3.6 Interviews.....................................................................................................28 3.7 Limitations ...................................................................................................30 3.8 Conclusion....................................................................................................30 Chapter 4: TOURISM IN VANUATU – THE CONTEXT...............................................32 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................32 4.2 Background ..................................................................................................32 4.3 History..........................................................................................................34 4.4 Government..................................................................................................35 4.5 Population ....................................................................................................36 v 4.6 Economy ......................................................................................................37 4.6.1 Tourism in Vanuatu..........................................................................37 4.6.2 Tourism policy .................................................................................40 4.7 International visitor arrivals trends .............................................................43 4.7.1 Purpose of visit.................................................................................45 4.7.2 Tourist generating countries.............................................................45 4.7.3 Average length of stay......................................................................46 4.7.4 Seasonality........................................................................................46 4.7.5 Major tourist attractions and activities .............................................46 4.8 Chapter summary .........................................................................................50 Chapter 5: RESULTS ...........................................................................................................52 5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................52 5.2 The meaning of tourist and tourism .............................................................52 5.3 Perceptions and attitudes towards cruise ship tourism by different stakeholders.................................................................................................56 5.3.1 Government ......................................................................................57 5.3.2 Chiefs................................................................................................59 5.3.3 Church representatives .....................................................................60 5.3.4 General public ..................................................................................61