CULTURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND THE MOSUO PEOPLE IN LUGU LAKE, CHINA by ZIWEI LIU Thesis submitted in partial FulFillment oF the requirements For the Degree oF Master oF Recreation Management Acadia University Fall Graduation 2013 © by ZIWEI LIU, 2013 This thesis by ZIWEI LIU was deFended successFully in an oral examination on June 26, 2013. The examining committee For the thesis was: ________________________ Dr. Brenda TroFanenko Chair ________________________ Dr. Glyn Bissix for Dr. Thomas Hinch External Examiner ________________________ Dr. Alan Warner For Dr. Ann Marie Powers Internal Examiner ________________________ Dr. John Colton Supervisor _________________________ Dr. Susan Markham-Starr Director’s Delegate This thesis is accepted in its present Form by the Division oF Research and Graduate Studies as satisFying the thesis requirements For the degree MASTER OF RECREATION MANAGEMENT. …………………………………………. ii I, ZIWEI LIU, grant permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to reproduce, loan or distribute copies oF my thesis in microForm, paper or electronic Formats on a non-proFit basis. I, however, retain the copyright in my thesis. __________________________ Author __________________________ Supervisor __________________________ Date iii Table of Contents List oF Tables ................................................................................................................ vii List oF Figures .............................................................................................................. viii Abstract ........................................................................................................................ ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................ x Chapter One: Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 1. An Introduction to Tourism in China ................................................................ 1 2. Study Purpose and Objectives .......................................................................... 3 3. Study Area ........................................................................................................ 4 4. Theoretical Approach ....................................................................................... 5 5. DeFinitions ........................................................................................................ 6 6. Personal Note ................................................................................................... 7 Chapter Two: The Context oF Tourism in Lugu Lake ..................................................... 9 1. The Natural, Geographical and Cultural Environment ...................................... 9 2. The Culture oF the Mosuo People and Their Matriarchal System .................. 10 3. Tourism at Lugu Lake ...................................................................................... 12 4. Challenges in Tourism Development at Lugu Lake ......................................... 16 Chapter Three: Literature Review .............................................................................. 23 1. Cultural Tourism ............................................................................................. 23 2. DeFining the Cultural Tourist .......................................................................... 25 3. Key Issues in Cultural Tourism ........................................................................ 26 4. Tourism Development in China ...................................................................... 32 5. Cultural Tourism Development in China ......................................................... 36 iv 6. Cultural Tourism Development in Yunnan Province ....................................... 38 7. Discussion and Conclusion .............................................................................. 39 Chapter Four: Research Approach and Methods ....................................................... 41 1. Research Paradigm ......................................................................................... 41 2. Methodological Approach .............................................................................. 41 3. Trustworthiness .............................................................................................. 42 4. Methods ......................................................................................................... 44 5. Data Analysis .................................................................................................. 48 6. Ethical Considerations .................................................................................... 49 Chapter Five: Results .................................................................................................. 50 Theme 1: Mosuo Culture ..................................................................................... 51 Theme 2: Government Organizational Management and Political InFluence ..... 62 Theme 3: Tourism Development in Lugu Lake .................................................... 70 Theme 4: Impacts on Lugu Lake .......................................................................... 78 Theme 5: Youth and Future Community Development ....................................... 88 Chapter Six: Discussion ............................................................................................... 95 1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 95 2. Discussion ....................................................................................................... 96 The Role oF Cultural Tourism in the Community’s Development ................. 96 The Role oF Government in Mosuo Community Cultural Tourism Development .............................................................................................. 101 Impacts oF Tourism on the Community ...................................................... 104 v Chapter Seven: Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................... 108 1. Key Insights ................................................................................................... 108 2. Recommendations ........................................................................................ 110 3. Final Word .................................................................................................... 112 ReFerences ................................................................................................................ 114 Appendix ................................................................................................................... 131 Appendix A: Interview Guide ............................................................................. 131 Appendix B: Invitation to Participate in Study ................................................... 133 Appendix C: InFormed Consent .......................................................................... 137 vi List of Tables Table 1: DeFinitions ................................................................................................ 6 Table 2: Results Summary: Major Themes and Sub-Themes ............................... 51 Table 3: The Comparisons oF Two Models oF Tourism Participation in Lugu Lake Area ............................................................................................................ 102 vii List of Figures Figure 1: Study Area: Lugu Lake, Yunnan Province, China ................................... 10 Figure 2: The Lugu Lake ....................................................................................... 19 Figure 3: The Grass Sea ........................................................................................ 19 Figure 4: The Lugu Lake with a Traditional Boat .................................................. 20 Figure 5: The Lige Peninsula ................................................................................ 20 Figure 6: A Local Girl Selling Sunflower Seeds ..................................................... 21 Figure 7: The BonFire Party .................................................................................. 21 Figure 8: A Traditional House .............................................................................. 22 Figure 9: A Local House Inn ................................................................................. 22 Figure 10: Indigenous tourism deFined ................................................................ 30 Figure 11: Culture: a driver and an enabler For sustainable development .......... 98 Figure 12: Hypothetical evolution oF a tourist area ........................................... 105 Figure 13: Governmental issues and tourism impacts at Lugu Lake ................. 109 viii Abstract Cultural tourism is an increasingly attractive economic development opportunity For many communities throughout China. Many diFFerent cultures exist throughout China, oFFering a wide range oF opportunities For developing cultural tourism programs. Areas rich in culture with signiFicant natural attractions are particularly well positioned to attract cultural tourists. This thesis provides insights on how the Mosuo community utilizes their natural and cultural resources to develop cultural tourism and how tourism impacts the overall development oF the Lugu Lake area. Since the establishment oF the Lugu Lake Management Committee in 2004, tourism