Adapting photovoice with ESRI Survey123 for tourism disaster research in Banten, Indonesia

Abstract

Disaster studies and tourism disaster research are emerging areas of academic inquiry that remain heavily reliant on traditional methods to gather qualitative data. Only recently have those in this field begun to explore more participatory methodologies, and their potential to generate knowledge. Yet, despite these developments, photovoice remains largely absent in research. This article focuses on the process, limitations, and benefits of this alternative approach, as discovered through a research project in tourism-reliant coastal communities in Banten Province, Indonesia, following a 2018 tsunami. In particular, research combined photovoice and ESRI Survey123 to examine how Banten residents perceived, experienced, and responded to the impacts of the tsunami, as well as their post-disaster coping strategies. Although challenged by reliance on participants having sufficient cell phone data plans, adequate phone signal strength, and the skill levels needed to complete the surveys, the method yielded a richer quality of data than traditional qualitative interviews. The process was also found to be both therapeutic and empowering for tsunami survivors. Overall, this method offers a fresh approach to understanding hazards and providing more nuanced theory-building of tourism disasters.

Coping as a community: Recovery experiences of a tourism‐reliant area following a tsunami in Indonesia

“…Photovoice can accelerate social action by engaging participants in documenting their concerns with their photographs and narratives, engaging participants in reflective activities to discuss their concerns, and disseminating their photographs with the community and policymakers (Sanchez‐Ladesma et al, 2020). Although the Photovoice methodology has garnered extensive attention in other academic literature, its use in tourism studies, particularly in tourism disaster research, remains underutilized (Kingsbury et al, 2020; Schumann et al, 2018). This study employed an adapted Photovoice research method employing mobile data collection through ESRI Survey123.…”

Using photovoice for disaster and hazard preparedness: A methodological review

“…The Photovoice method has continued to be used in public health by Wang and colleagues [23][24][25][26]28,42,43] and others [44,45]. The method's use has extended to various other disciplines within the social sciences such as education [46]; development studies [20,47]; gender representation [38]; social work [30]; social justice [48,49]; and tourism [22].…”

“…Hazard risk and preparedness research can learn much from the time immediately following disasters; however, communities are likely to be in survival and response modes (also imposing difficulties in relation to camera use regarding charging technology and processing of photographs). However, if research is conducted later, participants may forget events or be traumatised by bringing up painful experiences [21,22].…”

“…To this end, recent hazards literature proposes that effective strategies for hazard risk communication and public education should move beyond the passive engagement of stakeholders towards empowering dialogue and knowledge exchange between researchers and communities [3,[19][20][21][22]. A challenge then, for hazards research, is to investigate new methodologies that empower communities to share qualitative insights into their situated sociocultural conditions.…”

“…Despite the growing recognition of the value of situated knowledge and empowering approaches to participation, Photovoice has received little academic attention across hazard risk and preparedness literature [21,22]. This gap provides an avenue for Photovoice to actualize the recommendations of the United Nation's Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) [8] with respect to understanding and improving community resilience and personal preparedness for disasters.…”