REVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO- CULTURE · PDF fileREVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO-CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TOURISM ... The definition of community based rural tourism takes

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).

http://www.unrisd.org/





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.


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.


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


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.


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


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).


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


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



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


craft products


and cuisine


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



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


craft products


and cuisine


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.

Friends of RRPG

THANK YOU

Documents

REVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO- CULTURE · PDF fileREVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO-CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TOURISM ... The definition of community based rural tourism takes