CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TOURISM (CBRT) Lessons from - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

INT NTRODUCT ODUCTION ION

• 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; T wining-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.

INT NTRODUCT ODUCTION ION

INT NTRODUCT ODUCTION ION

……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

• ften 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).

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT

Sustaina ainable le Tourism ism (S (ST) T)

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)

• n the other hand, prefers to define sustainable tourism

development with some direct interpretation from the original definition by the Brundtland Report.

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT

Sustaina ainable le Tourism ism (S (ST) T)

“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.

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT

Aspe pect cts s of Sustain tainab ability ty Descr cripti ption

• n

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

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT

Aspe pect cts s of Sustain tainab ability ty Descr cripti ption

• n

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

• ver

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 : : Soci cio-Cul Culture ture Cost sts s & B & Bene nefits fits

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

• f life (TPRG, 2009; Sebele, 2009).

Sustainable CBRT provides tourists with a more authentic view

• f a particular place and culture while preserving cultural

authenticity, protecting the natural environment and ensuring local ownership.

CBRT : : Soci cio-Cul Culture ture Cost sts s & B & Bene nefits fits

Socio io-cult ultural ural benefits fits Socio io-cult ultural ural costs ts

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
• r entertainment facilities or recreational

centres.

• Increased social contact in more isolated

communities (aboriginal communities) and

• pportunities 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. T

• urism 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 : : Soci cio-Cul Culture ture Cost sts s & B & Bene nefits fits

 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

• pportunities 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 : : Soci cio-Cul Culture ture Cost sts s & B & Bene nefits fits

 However, poorly planned sustainable CBRT projects, on the

• ther 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.  T raditional houses and traditional architectural design of buildings replaced by modern and contemporary building are examples of tangible evidence.

STOR ORY Y OF OF THR THREE E VILL LLAGES AGES

Survey ey of

• f Local Stakeholder

holders

Pre rese sentat ntation ion of f Resu sult lts

Socio io-cultural ultural reasons sons for for partic icipating ipating in in CB CBRT

Pre rese sentat ntation ion of f Resu sult lts

Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation

Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences

• f 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

• ther 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

Pre rese sentat ntation ion of f Resu sult lts

Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation

Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences

• f 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

Pre rese sentat ntation ion of f Resu sult lts

Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation

Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences

• f 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

CON ONCL CLUS USION ION

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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