REVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO- CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TOURISM (CBRT)

Transcription

1 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

2

3 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).

4 INTRODUCTION 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.

5 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 lowcarbon 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. ( Retrieved: 11/10/2011).

6 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.

7 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.

8 PILLARS OF ST AND CBRT Aspects of Sustainability 1 Economic Sustainability (profitable in immediate and long terms) 2 Ecological Sustainability (maintains essential ecological processes, biological diversity and resources) Source: adapted from McKercher, 2003: 4-5 Description 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 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

9 PILLARS OF ST AND CBRT Aspects of Sustainability 3 Cultural Sustainability (compatible with the cultures and values of host community and strengthens identity) 4 Community Sustainability (benefits local community and generates income) Source: adapted from McKercher, 2003: 4-5 Description 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 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

10 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.

11 CBRT: Socio-Culture Costs & Benefits Socio-cultural benefits 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. Socio-cultural costs 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

12 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).

13 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.

14 STORY OF THREE VILLAGES Survey of Local Stakeholders

15 Presentation of Results Socio-cultural reasons for participating in CBRT

16 Presentation of Results Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation

17 Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation KUALA MEDANG Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local craft products traditional boat-making activities using rubber leaf for local craft products SAMPLE Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local food and cuisine Sambal hitam together with other types of traditional cuisine such as dodol and lemang are also being actively promoted for tourists attraction Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local cultural performance 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.

18 Presentation of Results Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation

19 Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation TELUK KETAPANG Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local craft products traditional batik-chanting workshop, has promote and introduce this activity to a wider audience SAMPLE Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local food and cuisine maintain traditional methods for Keropok making/processing Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local cultural performance Congkak which involves two players. Tourists are welcomed by Silat performance (Malay traditional martial art) and Kompang (Malay traditional musical instrument) performed by children watching monkey picking coconuts

20 Presentation of Results Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation

21 Inventory of CBRT attractions: Evidences of local social-cultural revitalisation SETERPA Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local craft products Traditional kite making Demonstration of traditional tobacco processing SAMPLE Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local food and cuisine Bahulu making and salted duck eggs processing Revitalisation and/or maintenance of local cultural performance Dikir Barat performance Pole racing and spinning tops (gasing) Catch and release hand fishing

22 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.

23 THANK YOU Friends of RRPG