What is the relationship between tourism and ethnic identity?
How is tourism a form of ethnic relations? How does tourism shape the local group’s culture and identity? How is heritage constructed and whose interests are at stake? Be sure to use examples from the readings to support your points. 150-250 words, cite references Readings: Juárez, Ana M., 2002. “Ongoing Struggles: Mayas and Immigrants in Tourist Era Tulum.” Journal of Latin American Anthropology. 7(1): 34-67. Logan, Joy, 2009. “Constructing indigeneity in Argentina at crossroads of mountaineering, tourism and re-ethnification”. Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology 14(2) Nov 2009. Porter, Benjamin W. and Noel B. Salazer, 2005. “Heritage Tourism, Conflict, and the Public Interest: An Introduction.” International Journal of Heritage Studies. 11(5):361-370. Module 4 examines the interplay between tourism culture, identity and heritage. The readings show culture and identity (things people often take as fixed) are really constructed and be “packaged.” There are many stakeholders with varying interests involved in these processes. Cases in the readings show how power relations and issues of control come into play in the “making” of culture, heritage and identity in tourist settings. Be sure to review key concepts in Module 1 – so we are all clear on anthropological ideas of “culture” and ethnic identity. Following are some “thinking points” (ideas and questions) you should keep in mind as you do the readings for this module. Below questions DO NOT have to be answered. They are just a guide to use for the readings. Just need the above first paragraph for a discussion posting. Thinking Points: How does tourism alter a group’s culture and identity? How is tourism a form of ethnic relations? What is an ethnic group? What is culture from an anthropological perspective? (See key concepts in Module 1.) How are tourist/local encounters like a window that doubles as a mirror? Why are there often conflicts around “heritage” tourism? What is “heritage” and who defines it? What is the relationship between tourism and ethnic identity? How is heritage a commercial commodity?
