The experiences of ethnic minorities in ethnicity tourism

This paper aims to explore the negative and positive impacts experienced by ethnic minorities and communities. Social and economic factors are important in shaping the perceptions and attitudes of local people (Martin and McCool, 1994). On this basis, the negative and positive experiences of ethnic minorities and communities are explored, specifically referring to the social and economic impacts with reference to two case studies.
Although there is a lot of research and literature on tourism impacts, for example work by Wood (1997), Oakley (1997), Yang and Wall (2009) and Jamison (1999), there is a lack of research that focuses on the experiences of local people as a result of tourism impacts, therefore local people need to be given a voice (Yang et al, 2013). The current research and studies on the experiences of local people tends to pay more attention to specific characteristics of ethnic minority groups or communities in specific locations. These case studies and research are useful as they highlight the lifestyles and cultures of different ethnic minority communities, for example, case studies such as ‘the brotherhoods of coconuts’ (Jamison, 1999), ‘hunter gatherers’ (Cohen, 1996), ‘Akha tribal people’ (Ishii, 2012) and ‘the Cajuns of Louisiana’ (Esman, 1984). However, comparisons of similarities and differences experienced by ethnic minorities of different ethnic minority groups in completely different locations (different parts on the world) are yet to be addressed. In the interest of this, the author tries to bridge this gap in literature by referring to different ethnic minority groups and attempting to answer the pivotal question of the study which is:
‘Which one, of the two impacts (negative and positive) has a more profound effect on the experiences of ethnic minorities and communities?’
This was investigated with reference to two main case studies: the Dai Yuan and Mengjinglai ethnic minority communities in Banna, China (Yang and Wall, 2009) and the Kikuyu, Kamba and Kissi ethnic minority communities in Mombasa, Kenya.

Ethnic tourism as a niche market has increased in popularity, becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors within the tourism industry (Smith and Richards, 2013). This niche market has a worldwide presence, albeit occurs in different forms. This type of tourism is enabled by ethnicity and cultural diversities but in turn ethnicity, specifically the ethnic groups are affected by tourism practices in various ways (Hitchcock, 1999). Van de Berghe (1994) cited in Ishii (2012) defines ethnic tourism as the pursuit for interactions with other ethnicity groups, driven by the interest of individuals (tourists) searching for unique experiences. In support, Yang (2010) suggests a more detailed definition stating that
‘ethnic tourism generally refers to tourism motivated by a tourist’s search for exotic cultural experiences, including visiting ethnic villages, minority homes and ethnic theme parks, being involved in ethnic events and festivals, watching traditional dances or ceremonies, or merely shopping for ethnic handicrafts and souvenirs”, p.562
Governments all across the world, especially in ethnic minority areas and communities have recognised the potential of ethnic tourism in aiding social and economic development strategies. The impact of ethnic tourism on experiences of ethnic minority communities can be positive. For example, this type of tourism can help to strengthen the identity of ethnic minority groups by providing opportunities to showcase or protect their cultural heritage as well as reviving traditions, languages and cultural pride. However, ethnic tourism can have negative impacts on the local ethnic minority communities, for example, there is a chance for their identity, livelihood, values and culture to be challenged or altered as a result of practices of ethnic tourism.
Discussion and conclusions
In reference to the two case studies, it is evident that economic developments resulting from ethnic tourism such as the building of hotels, restaurants and highways, the Dai Yuan and Mengjinglai local people viewed them to have had a positive impact on the living conditions and community recreation (Yang and Wall, 2009). Similarly, the Kikuyu, Kamba and Kassi ethnic communities also experienced positive impacts as the physical economic developments provided employment opportunities (Jamison, 1999). However, divisions amongst the communities were created as younger generations seemed to embrace the economic changes more than the older generations. The older generations raised concerns over the preservation of their cultural heritage and traditions. In the case of Kikuyu, Kamba and Kissi, the local people migrated from their originating communities in search of job opportunities, in a sense drifting away from their traditional lifestyles.
In terms of social and cultural impacts on ethnic minority groups, their experiences generally seemed to be positive as ethnic tourism allowed them to showcase their traditional craft productions, presenting them in a positive light (Cohen, 1988). On the other hand, there were concerns over the labelling and selling of cultural and traditional crafts/products which can lead to tourists and the tourism industry forming a view of ethnic minorities being seen as part of the product (Yang and Wall, 2009 and Van den Berghe, 1992). Also experienced were changes in the social structures reflected in both case studies.
In conclusion, it is complicated to determine which of the impacts is more profound. However, it is the opinion of the author and on the basis of the experiences of the ethnic minority communities in the case studies, ethnic minority communities have experienced slightly more positive impacts, especially in regards to economic development benefits. There seems to also be a drift from focusing on cultural preservation to economic pursuits, Yang and Wall (2009) suggests that this is due to the modernisation of societies which has led to communities prioritising pursuits of money. It is the balancing of these two factors which is the most challenging and in an effort to equally merge the two, ethnic minorities should have more political power with regards to practises of ethnic tourism.

References
Yang, L and Wall, G (2009), ‘Ethnic tourism: A framework and an application’, Tourism Management, Vol. 30, Issue 4, p.559–570
Yang, J., Ryan, C., Zhang, L., (2013), ‘Social conflict in communities impacted by tourism’, Tourism Management, Vol. 35, p. 82–93
Jamison, D (1999), ‘Tourism and ethnicity: The brotherhood of coconuts’, Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 26, Issue 4, p.944–967

It was decided to comment on this conference paper as it is similar to the topic of my own conference paper. Although not the same, it does have some links towards racism in tourism.

Firstly, the author has focused on looking at the experiences of the local people as a result of tourism, and that they need to be given a voice to allow them to speak out about what they have experienced. A lack of research on this matter has proven interesting, as current studies have only focused on certain characteristics of ethnic minority groups, and not the whole aspect of ethnicity tourism. The case studies that have been provided have proven to be useful as they highlight the certain lifestyles and cultures of the different ethnic minority communities that are appealing to the tourists, so these are what are aimed at most by the ethnicity tourism that takes place.
As addressed within this conference paper, it would be necessary for more research to take place and to look into the similarities and comparisons of the different ethnic groups in different locations. This would then allow researchers to discover whether or not ethnic groups in different locations have the same experiences.

The author has stated correctly that niche tourism has now become much more popular over the years (Smith and Richards, 2013). Because of this, more interest has been placed towards certain ethnic groups which has motivated many more tourists to visit these locations. Involving the governments in the development of this niche tourism will become a positive aspect for the ethnic groups, as it will help to strengthen their identities. Although, as it has been suggested, the negative impacts will also need to be looked into, in order to prevent any ethnic groups regretting the tourism taking places, especially where they live.

The conclusions of the conference paper states that it is complicated to determine which of these impacts is more profound. This would be correct, as it would seem that only time will tell whether or not niche tourism has either had a negative or positive impact on ethnic groups. Focusing more on the economic pursuits rather than the cultural preservation proves that modernisation has led to these groups becoming much more focused on money. Whilst this could be seen to be positive for the future of niche tourism, it could have negative consequences on the ethnic groups and their traditions in the long run.
Overall this conference paper accurately looks into both the positive and negative impacts towards ethnic communities. Further research and discussion could be made to look more into how tourism is becoming more important to these ethnic groups and how that could result to possible staged authenticity.