Rukai indigenous tourism: Representations,cultural identity and Q method

In tourism, cultural representations of indigenous destinations are problematic. They are essential to the promotion of tourism, making destinations understandable and desirable to visitors. But they are also blamed for upsetting the cultural equilibrium of smaller destinations. However, in practice, the origin, mechanism and effects of touristic representations are not easy to identify. In this study, the problem of representations and resident cultural identity in indigenous tourism is explored. In consideration of the generative nature of representations and the contingency of subjectivities toward them, this study is context-specific, focusing on a small but significant community in southern Taiwan where indigenous tourism is a dominant industry and social issue. Q method, a technique designed for the systematic study of subjectivity in terms of opinions, beliefs, and attitudes is employed, eliciting responses from a P set (sample) of 30 participants. Subjectivities were elicited using photographs of one cultural representation, the indigenous Rukai standing stones. It was found that representations must be learned but can be ignored, and that in this community tourism is not the only socio-economic power that drives the feedback loop between representations and subjectivity. For tourism management, implications are that representations can be highly effective tools for destination promotion when informed by the diverse and highly individualized subjectivities of its residents and the production of quality local products.     

Understanding conflicting perspectives in event planning and management using Q method

There is a need to better understand the interests of actors in the planning and management of major events. The diversity of actor perspectives about an event creates a wicked problem set that event organisers and public officials find difficult to understand, let alone address. This paper focuses on problem identification as one stage in the event planning and management process. It explores how problem structuring can contribute to more effective planning and management of actors' interests. The value of Q methodology is explored through a case study of the Australian World Rally Championship. Four perspectives are identified in the problem structuring process: the Skeptics, the Materialists, the Middle-grounders and the Supporters. The findings demonstrate that Q methodology is effective in identifying the depth and breadth of different problem perspectives, providing insights into the importance of different perspectives, and can be used reflexively to anticipate and manage potential conflict.     

Understanding resident subjectivities toward tourism using Q method: Orchid Island,Taiwan

The pursuit of sustainable destination tourism should begin with an understanding of resident subjectivities. Residents are concerned with good governance and cultural integrity, and they are aware of their role as stakeholders in tourism in their communities. In this study, residents of Orchid Island, Taiwan, were interviewed using Q method in order to evaluate their subjectivities toward tourism. Forty-two statements regarding a theoretically and historically defined discourse of tourism were sorted by 34 respondents. This forced-choice method revealed four types of subjectivities, which are distinguished as Culture Broker, Cultural Conservative, Cultural Purist and Pragmatic Governance. The results show how the respondents perceived tourism in their destination. They agreed upon certain core issues regarding destination tourism, while contesting other issues. Respondents held strong views concerning how government policy affects their community and how tourism and culture shape each other. It is concluded that many issues in tourism research are highly relevant to residents of small tourism destination communities. This implies that tourism research should focus on understanding and coordinating resident subjectivities so as to inform government planning and decision-making, especially in indigenous communities or small islands.     

基于Q方法的滨海民宿集聚区选址评价指标体系构建

构建滨海民宿集聚区选址评价指标体系是科学引导滨海旅游业转型发展和保护海岸生态环境的基础工作。从已有文献和专家访谈中提取55个滨海民宿集聚区选址评价候选指标,采用Q方法,构建了包括经济环境、旅游发展、平台条件、运营条件、地理环境以及支持设施等6个一级指标和22个二级指标的民宿集聚区选址评价指标体系。与已有研究比较,滨海与内陆民宿集聚区选址评价指标体系中的一级指标基本一致;由于滨海地区生态环境脆弱、用地矛盾更为突出,滨海地区“运营条件”“地理环境”等指标的权重明显高于内陆地区。评价体系一级指标中“经济环境”权重最大、“支持设施”权重最小,二级指标中“合理的旅游及相关规划”最为重要、“专业人才吸引力”权重最小,反映了滨海旅游发展的相对滞后性。本研究可为滨海地区旅游业发展布局、民宿集聚区选址开发和民宿从业者投资建设等决策提供参考。     

Performing culture at indigenous culture parks in Taiwan: Using Q method to identify the performers' subjectivities

Performance of indigenous culture at culture parks for tourism is traditionally viewed from a modernist ontological perspective as exploitative and from a managerial perspective as the provision of a service. These views might fail to accommodate the performers' subjectivities. In this Q method study the views of the performers are identified based on a sample of 30 respondents and 42 Q sort items. Respondents were performers employed at the Indigenous Peoples Culture Park in Taiwan. The replicability of a previous Q study was tested using the same design in a different research setting. In both studies two clusters of subjectivity were found: the ‘Performers’ View’ and the ‘Instructors’ View’. Neither view conforms to the modernist or managerial perspective identified in tourism research. Instead, the reflexivity of Q suggests that in the performance of indigenous culture, these fixed ontological categories are porous and situational.     

Stakeholder Subjectives Toward Ecotourism Development using Q methodology: The Case of Maha Ecotourism Site in Pyeongchang,Korea

Ecotourism needs ecological sensitivity and respect for the ecological culture of local residents. From this perspective, listening to the opinion of local residents, collaborating with the local residents in conjunction with an appropriate governance structure, is of prime importance in ecotourism. However, many ecotourism sites have numerous problems because of conflicts among stakeholders such as local government and local residents. This study investigates the conflicts and the stakeholders’ subjectives in the case of Maha ecotourism site in Pyeongchang-gun, the site of the 2018 Winter Olympic games. Before the analysis, the conflicts seem to be caused by the different attitudes of government officials and local residents’ representatives. From the analysis of subjectives, the difference in attitudes is caused by generation gaps. Young people show relatively uniform attitudes, where different occupation sectors exert little influence. It means that conflicts can be decreased if more opportunities for council participation are allowed. Young people have few consideration about ecology and tradition. The ecological and traditional lessons of the older generation are needed for young people. This study shows that conflicts between development and conservation are caused by the different attitudes represented in different generation, and hence plans for harmonizing different generation should be considered.     

Organisational change towards LGBTQ+ inclusion in hospitality and tourism: Managerial perspectives

The economic significance of LGBTQ+ inclusion has been globally recognised by the hospitality and tourism sectors. This study aimed to explore how hospitality and tourism businesses promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and identify challenges in implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive strategies in Asia. By using a qualitative approach with pragmatic paradigm, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 10 senior-level executives in corporations that play a prominent role in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion across hospitality and tourism sectors. An LGBTQ+ inclusion model was also developed based on ‘unfreeze-change-(re)freeze’ theory to further understand organisational change with nonlinear, interconnected, interactive and iterative orientations. Thematic and document analyses identified four essential elements of change, namely, policies and structures, internal communication, learning and development and public engagement. Management support was also identified as an effective moderator for improving the operationalisation of the model.     

方寸之误

那,已经是几十年前的事情了.并不是一件怎样引人注目的事.当时,就如一缕微风,拂面而来,悄然而去.可是不知为什么,至今萦绕心怀,不曾忘却.有时淡淡的,却记忆犹新;有时浓浓的,且呼之欲出.     

海峡两岸姐妹景

劝君一游应县塔. 这是几年前从一本小册子里读到的一句话.应县,古称应州,位于山西省雁北地区,即雁门关外东北方一百多里的地方.