Browsing by Author "Dombroski, Kelly"

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Exploring the potential of mass tourism in the facilitation of community development : a case study of Jiuzhaigou Biosphere Reserve, Western China : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2005) Dombroski, Kelly
It is not generally thought that there is great potential for sustainable and empowering local-level development through mass tourism; however the majority of world tourism continues to be at the large scale. This is especially so in China, where mass tourism is pursued as a means of developing the western regions where ethnic minority groups mostly reside. Instead of advising only small-scale community tourism based on theories of participation and empowerment, there is a need to examine realistically the potential of mass tourism for local-level development that is both sustainable and empowering. This thesis uses the case study of Jiuzhaigou Biosphere Reserve, Sichuan, China to explore the possibilities for the development of resident Tibetan communities hosting more than a million Chinese tourists per year. According to the values of the Tibetan village Panyazhai, well-being has indeed been enhanced through mass tourism, in a manner that is moving towards sustainability and empowerment. The thesis concludes that in Jiuzhaigou regulation is the key to sustainable and empowering development, and appropriate regulation is best achieved through partnerships between local communities and the State that involve both formal and personal relationships.
Reconciling tourism, cultural change and empowerment in a Tibetan host community
(Massey University. Centre for Indigenous Governance and Development, 2006) Dombroski, Kelly
Tourism to Tibetan regions has become increasingly popular amongst Westerners in the last few decades, as interest in Tibetan culture and religion has grown. This interest in things Tibetan has combined with the literature on development and tourism in indigenous communities to result in a conceptualisation of Tibetan culture as a fragile cultural relic that must be preserved and protected from outside influences. However, the indigenous Tibetan communities of Western China’s Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve have told a different story of their experiences with tourism and development. Mass tourism in Jiuzhaigou has in fact been harnessed for community development and cultural revitalisation through local women’s communal businesses. Yet their development and empowerment has been to some extent bittersweet, as the women fear that their decision to use tourism revenue to offer their children choice through the Chinese education system may ultimately erode their traditional culture. The dilemma for the people of Jiuzhaigou is similar to that for many indigenous groups: how can a desire to preserve traditional culture be reconciled with a desire to empower the next generation?