open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/97242

The subjectivity of Miao people in tourism representations

英語

China

2024-07-20

Taylor & Francis

Journal of tourism and cultural change

22(3)

259-276

Imaginaries and representations of 'exoticism' are two key forces driving the development of ethnic tourism. However, a significant challenge is that tourism imaginaries and representations portrayed by external stakeholders around the globe often objectify local people as traditional signs, visualising exoticism. To understand how local people exert their subjectivity in constructing self-representations, this article examines Miao people in Guizhou Province, China. The results show that external stakeholders' imaginaries of exoticism indeed shape local tourism representations in a traditional way. However, the traditions represented by local Miao people transcend the stereotypical understandings of external stakeholders and exemplify the value of Miao traditions in effectively managing and empowering the community. A conceptual understanding of the subjectivity of local people in ethnic tourism is offered in this study, portraying it as 'unappropriated being' that is structurally vulnerable but culturally resilient. The article also suggests transferable recommendations for amplifying local voices in tourism. While these suggestions may reduce the economic profitability of tourism, they are crucial for the ethical development of ethnic tourism.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change on 20 Jul 2024, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14766825.2024.2379760

1476-6825

AA1215543X