REVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO- CULTURE · PDF fileREVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO-CULTURE...
Transcript of REVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO- CULTURE · PDF fileREVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO-CULTURE...
REVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO-
CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY
BASED RURAL TOURISM (CBRT)
Lessons from three communities in the
East Coast of Malaysia
Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin khairulhkamarudin.wordpress.com
INTRODUCTION
Tourism sector has become one of the major contributors
to development as well as an agent of change for many
parts of the world.
The strengths of tourism are described in various forms; as
a tool in economic and physical development and a mean
to enhance the social and human capital development
and conservation of natural environment (Graci and
Dodds, 2010; Twining-Ward, 2007).
In rural areas especially in developing countries, tourism
development had been eagerly embraced as a panacea for
revitalizing the rural economy (TPRG, 2009).
Since the concept of sustainable development came into
the development and conservation debate, many
government agencies, particularly tourism-related bodies,
have also invested heavily to promote more sustainable
forms of tourism in rural areas (Bernardo, 2011).
UNRISD in 2011 in their conference “Green Economy and
Sustainable Development: Bringing Back the Social
Dimension” raised a concern with tendencies of many
developing country governments and societies to
centralize the goal of sustainable development is to fulfil
their economic gains.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
……it is important to direct attention to social
dimensions of development associated with equity,
livelihood security, social protection and
empowerment. Social dimensions of green economy
are often addressed in terms of green jobs, green
consumerism, and the kinds of education/retraining,
social safety nets and social dialogue required
facilitating the transition. While poverty eradication is
increasingly accepted as a goal of green economy, it is
often assumed that it will follow inevitably from low-
carbon growth. Unless social dimensions are addressed
more centrally and comprehensively, there is a danger
that efforts to connect green economy, sustainable
development and poverty eradication will fail.
(www.unrisd.org. Retrieved: 11/10/2011).
PILLARS OF ST AND CBRT
Sustainable Tourism (ST)
According to The Oxford English Dictionary (2005: 920),
sustainable is the adjectival form of the verb “to sustain” which
means to “keep something going over time or continuously”.
In the context of sustainable tourism, it simply can be defined as
“tourism which is in a form which can maintain its viability in an
area for an indefinite period of time”.
The World Tourism Organisation (WTO, in McKercher, 2003: 4)
on the other hand, prefers to define sustainable tourism
development with some direct interpretation from the original
definition by the Brundtland Report.
PILLARS OF ST AND CBRT
Sustainable Tourism (ST)
“tourism which leads to management of all resources in such a
way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be filled
while maintaining cultural integrity, essentials ecological
processes, biological diversity and life support systems” (WTO,
in McKercher, 2003: 4).
This definition indicates the importance of sustainable tourism
both in the sustainable growth of tourism’s contribution to the
economy as well as to society, and the sustainable use and
management of resources and environment.
PILLARS OF ST AND CBRT
Aspects of
Sustainability
Description
1 Economic
Sustainability
(profitable in
immediate and
long terms)
Form partnership in the supply chain at all levels of business
Use international standards and guidelines for training and certification
Promote ethical and environmental conscious behaviour among clients
Diversify tourist activities and tourism products
Provide funds to assist in training, marketing and product development
Provide incentives for businesses to adopt sustainability principles
2 Ecological
Sustainability
(maintains
essential
ecological
processes,
biological
diversity and
resources)
Establish codes of practices for tourism at all levels
Establish guidelines for tourism operations, impact assessment and
monitoring of cumulative impacts
Formulate tourism policies and development strategies at all levels that
are consistent with the objectives of sustainable development
Establish baseline environmental impact assessment studies
Ensure the design, planning, development and operation of facilities
incorporate sustainability principles
Ensure tourism in sensitive areas is incorporated into proper
management plans
Monitor and conduct research on the actual impacts of tourism
Identify and promote responsible tourist behaviour
Source: adapted from McKercher, 2003: 4-5
PILLARS OF ST AND CBRT
Aspects of
Sustainability
Description
3 Cultural
Sustainability
(compatible with
the cultures and
values of host
community and
strengthens
identity)
Initiate tourism with assistance from broad based community
input
Establish education and training programmes to improve and
manage heritage and natural resources
Conserve cultural diversity
Respect land and property rights of traditional inhabitants
Protect nature, local, indigenous culture and traditional
knowledge
Depict indigenous culture and community accurately and
respectfully
Encourage the use of traditional skills
Educate tourist about desirable and acceptable behaviour
4 Community
Sustainability
(benefits local
community and
generates income)
Maintain local control over tourism development and
management
Provide quality employment to community residents
Encourage businesses to contribute positively to local communities
Ensure equitable distribution of financial benefits in the supply
chain
Provide financial incentives for local businesses to enter tourism
Improve local human resource capacity
Source: adapted from McKercher, 2003: 4-5
CBRT: Socio-Culture Costs & Benefits
The definition of community based rural tourism takes rural
environmental, social and cultural sustainability into account
(Kamarudin, 2013).
It is managed and owned by the community with funding and
assistance from government agencies or the NGOs, for the
community, with the purpose of enabling visitors to increase
their awareness and learn about the community and local way
of life (TPRG, 2009; Sebele, 2009).
Sustainable CBRT provides tourists with a more authentic view
of a particular place and culture while preserving cultural
authenticity, protecting the natural environment and ensuring
local ownership.
CBRT: Socio-Culture Costs & Benefits
Socio-cultural benefits Socio-cultural costs
The development of sustainable CBRT contributes
to a variety of socio-cultural benefits to rural
communities:
The maintenance and support of local services,
such as public transport and health care.
New facilities and attractions, such as cultural
or entertainment facilities or recreational
centres.
Increased social contact in more isolated
communities (aboriginal communities) and
opportunities for cultural exchange.
Greater awareness and the revitalisation of
local customs, crafts and cultural identities.
Reduce gender imbalance through the
development of the role of women in more
traditional or isolated rural communities.
Instillation of a sense of local pride, self-esteem
and identity through collective community
activity.
Tourism can act as a catalyst in the
process of acculturation with traditional,
remote and small-scale rural communities
– vulnerable to outside influence:
Increases in crime and other antisocial
behaviour.
Congestion and crowding which
impinges on the day to day life and
privacy of local residents.
Destruction of indigenous culture. The
introduction of new ideas, styles and
behavioural modes which challenge
traditional culture and values.
Reinforcement of perceptions of
women’s employment as a low paid,
part-time extension of the domestic
role.
Source: Stone and Stone, 2011; Nguru, 2010; Logar, 2009; TPRG, 2009; Sharpley and Sharpley, 1997
CBRT: Socio-Culture Costs & Benefits
Logar (2009) who investigated a case of CBRT in Crikvenica,
Croatia pointed out that the community-based tourism has
increased awareness among local people about their own
culture and customs, crafts and cultural identities.
Establishment of sustainable CBRT projects also creates
opportunities for various groups (e.g. women, elderly and
young people) within local communities to participate,
especially in cultural performance as musicians and dancers,
and owners of local crafts and souvenir shops (Stone and
Stone, 2011; Dyer et. al., 2003).
CBRT: Socio-Culture Costs & Benefits
However, poorly planned sustainable CBRT projects, on the
other hand, can mean that local communities could be
invaded by foreign tourists with different socio-cultural
values, disrupting local and/or traditional culture (Graci and
Dodds, 2010).
Socio-cultural impacts not only can be seen from attitude
changes and acceptance by locals of modern or foreign
values, but also from the physical changes.
Traditional houses and traditional architectural design of
buildings replaced by modern and contemporary building
are examples of tangible evidence.
STORY OF THREE VILLAGES
Survey of Local Stakeholders
Presentation of Results
Socio-cultural reasons for participating in CBRT
Presentation of Results
Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation
Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation KUALA MEDANG
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local
craft products
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local food
and cuisine
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local cultural
performance
traditional boat-making activities
using rubber leaf for local craft products
Sambal hitam together with other types of traditional cuisine such as dodol and lemang are also being actively promoted for tourists’ attraction
Tarian Pelanduk and Joget Pahang are reintroduced to the younger generations -establishment of traditional dance and performance committee. Provides sessions and classes to train the youngsters.
SAMPLE
Presentation of Results
Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation
Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation TELUK KETAPANG
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local
craft products
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local food
and cuisine
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local cultural
performance
SAMPLE
traditional batik-chanting workshop, has promote and introduce this activity to a wider audience
maintain traditional methods for Keropok making/processing
watching monkey picking coconuts
Congkak which involves two players. Tourists are welcomed by Silat
performance (Malay traditional martial art) and Kompang (Malay traditional musical instrument) performed by children
Presentation of Results
Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation
Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation SETERPA
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local
craft products
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local food
and cuisine
Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local cultural
performance
SAMPLE
Traditional kite making Demonstration of traditional
tobacco processing
Bahulu making and salted duck eggs processing
Dikir Barat performance Pole racing and spinning tops (gasing) “Catch and release” hand fishing
CONCLUSION
Through community participation and support, CBRT program
will be able to provide widespread economic benefits and
among others to the communities.
These benefits act as incentives for participants and the means to
conserve cultural and natural resources on which income
generation depends.
Therefore, it is important for various parties, especially the
community managers and planners, to provide awareness,
information and systematic approach for the community during
initial stage of implementing CBRT.
Long-term viability of CBRT programs depends on “buy in” and
continuous support and involvement from the local community.
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