Understanding The Lived Experiences of Local Residents in Muskoka, Ontario: A Case Study on Cottaging by Ashley Gallant A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies (Tourism) Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2017 © Ashley Gallant 2017 A AUTHORS DECLARATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii ABSTRACT Muskoka, Ontario, Canada has been recognized as an environment that is appealing for tourism visitation, but more specially cottaging, due to its attractive natural landscape and amenities that are “normally associated with larger cities, while maintaining the lifestyle of a small community” (The District Municipality of Muskoka, 2014). Specifically, for four months of the year, 83, 203 seasonal residents outnumber their 59, 220 permanent counterparts, cultivating a variety of opportunities and challenges in the destination. This particular study, aims to look at tourism in Muskoka in regard to its enhancement of social, economic, and political assets in the destination, and how cottaging impacts the local community from the viewpoint of the permanent resident. Current issues and tensions that exist in Muskoka are drawn upon through secondary data analysis of media articles, government documents, opinion pieces, and 16 semi-structured interviews with local residents during the peak summer season, being July and August, of 2016. Through the methodological lens of critical theory, identifying binaries (Jaakson ,1986), the representation of place and place attachment (MacCannell, 1973; Buckley, 2005; Harrison, 2014), rural tourism advantages and disadvantages (Smith, 1989; Frederick, 1993; Marcouillier, 1997; Mitchell, 2013) and the environmental protection of amenity rich destinations (Jaakson, 1986; Buckley, 2005; Lagerqvist, 2014) are examined and discussed. Results from this study express that varying tensions exist in the destination around land use values, poverty, and class conflicts. However, a contrasting view also exists that acknowledges the economic importance of hosting such tourism in Muskoka, as well as the social benefits and positive influence of cottaging for the wellness for both local and visiting populations. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am grateful to have had Dr. Karla Boluk as my supervisor and mentor throughout this process. Thank you for your selfless guidance every step of the way. I am appreciative of your readiness to assist with any question I’ve had (which have been many), and your continuous search for new and exciting ideas and opportunities to include me in. It’s been a pleasure getting to spend time with you, and getting to know you throughout this journey. Thank you to Dr. Sanjay Nepal, my thought provoking, supportive committee member. I am grateful for your involvement in this thesis and your valuable feedback. Most importantly, though, I am thankful for your inspiring teaching at the undergraduate level, which initially sparked my interest in tourism research. Thank you also to Dr. Bryan Grimwood, who took the time to read this thesis and contribute to my defense. I am appreciative of efforts to include me in the department, such as through the volunteer experience at CTSNA 2016 and guest lecturing for your undergraduate course. Both experiences greatly contributed to my enjoyment of this program. To my mom and Randy, thank you for your endless support throughout both my undergraduate degree, as well as this program. I cannot thank you enough for how much your encouragement means to me. To my dad and Margaret, thank you for your support during my fieldwork, and for introducing me to my thesis topic while hosting me each summer in Muskoka. To Mark, thank you for your patience and positive outlook throughout this program, when course work was stressful, TA work piled up, and I got frustrated with myself during the writing process. Without you, I would not be where I am today. To my classmates, thank you for continuously opening my mind to new ideas and pushing me out of my comfort zone, both in the classroom, and out. To my research participants, I am so thankful for your participation in this passion project. I would like to dedicate this thesis to Kenneth Black, a “Champion of Muskoka”, who passed away on Monday, August 29th, 2016 in his 85th year of life. “Permanent and seasonal Muskoka residents do not have to sit back and watch this area become the Hamptons of the North or another Cote d’Azur or St Tropez. Without being anti-development, they can insist that development with its economic benefits and the jobs it creates, is well-planned and responsibly- controlled.” (Kenneth Black, personal communication, 2015) iv Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................................vii LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER TWO: THEORY AND LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 CRITICAL THEORY ............................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 RURAL TOURISM ................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2.1 Defining Rural Tourism .................................................................................................7 2.2.2 Rural Tourism and Economic Development: Pros and Cons ........................................9 2.2.3 Creative Destruction and Enhancement In Ontario .....................................................12 2.3 PLACE MAKING ................................................................................................................................... 16 2.3.1 Authentic Representation of Place ................................................................................17 2.3.2 Nostalgia & Serendipity ...............................................................................................18 2.3.3 Appreciation of Nature .................................................................................................20 2.3.4 Freedom from Everyday Life ........................................................................................22 2.3.5 Family Connection ........................................................................................................23 2.4 MOBILITY & AFFLUENCE ................................................................................................................... 25 2.4.1 Social Class Mobility & Affluence at the Cottage ........................................................26 2.4..2 Social Class Stratification ..........................................................................................31 2.5 RESIDENTS ATTITUDES: ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES .............................................................. 34 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY & METHODS 3.0 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................. 41 3.1 METHODS ........................................................................................................................................... 45 3.2 JUSTIFICATION ................................................................................................................................... 47 3.4 THEMATIC ANALYSIS AND CODING .................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH OUTCOMES 4.0 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH OUTCOMES ......................................................................................... 53 4.1 THE CASE ............................................................................................................................................ 53 4.2 THE “REALITIES OF MUSKOKA” ......................................................................................................... 62 4.2.1 Community Challenges ................................................................................................62 4.2.2 Depiction in the Media ..................................................................................................65 4.2.3 Seasonality ....................................................................................................................68 4.2.4 Discussion .....................................................................................................................71 4.3 IDENTIFYING BINARIES ...................................................................................................................... 77 4.3.1 Types of Cottager ..........................................................................................................77 4.3.2 Legends and Recalled Stories .......................................................................................81 4.3.3 Tensions & Differences .................................................................................................83