Cultural Tourism at the Cowichan Native Village, British Columbia

Abstract

This study examines visitor responses to cultural presentations at the Cowichan Native Village on Vancouver Island, Canada. A self-completed survey was used to collect information from 496 Canadian and international visitors at the Native Village. The results provide a cultural profile of visitor experiences and satisfaction with a native-owned tourist attraction. Descriptive statistical analysis found that two key factors providing a genuine visitor experience of native culture were learning about Cowichan history and contact with Cowichan staff. The study provides additional information on visitors at indigenous cultural theme parks and enhances understanding of the cultural tourism market in Canada.

Informal heritage-making at the Sarawak Cultural Village, East Malaysia

“…These findings speak to the literature at large on cultural theme parks as not only politically charged but also contested spaces (see Moscardo & Pearce, 1999;Oakes, 1998;Yang, 2011a;Zeppel, 2002). Yet, to limit the discussion merely to the production or consumption of such landscapes can overlook the possibility that experiences and interactions at these places are often complex, thus giving rise to the more mutually constituted narratives and discourses (Chronis, 2005;Johnson, 1986).…”

“…From the comments raised thus far, it is clear that the pride they felt emerged out of the richness of the state's cultural plurality and its staging of this fact to foreigners. They are testament to how the Village, as much as it is a remedy to the problems, and negative impacts of embarking on longhouse tourism, or visits to actual habitats of the local indigenous peoples (Sanggin, 2009;Yea, 2002;Zeppel, 2002), is indeed also seen as a 'local' space for Sarawakians, and where the 'living museum' concept is perceived to have added value to their experiences of local cultures.…”

Domestic demand for Indigenous tourism in Australia: understanding intention to participate

“…It appears that "learning", "history", "traditional lifestyles", "contemporary lifestyle", "contact with Indigenous people", "natural scenery", and "authenticity" are the most important features (Chang, Wall, & Chu, 2006;Kutzner, Wrigth, & Stark, 2009;Moscardo & Pearce, 1999;Notzke, 2004;Ryan & Huyton, 2000;Zeppel, 2002). However, it appears that some of these characteristics are not accurately represented within Indigenous tourism marketing initiatives.…”

Cultural tourism: new opportunities for diversifying the tourism industry in Botswana

“…Some of the benefits of cultural tourism are: provision of a vehicle for cultural exchange and understanding (e.g. music and art have long been called international languages) (McCarthy, 1992:10); stimulate conservation and heritage preservation efforts (Mckercher, Du Cros, 2002;Zeppel, 2002); revitalize traditional building and craft industries; generate economic activity and local or regional development; and enhance community cohesiveness and pride in cultural identity (Richards, 1997;Smith, 2009;Sutherland, 2006). Consequently, in order to avoid negative consequences of tourism growth and sustain community development, the local people should be the focal point in the development (Choi and Sikaraya, 2005).…”

“…The potential benefits of cultural tourism are that it can boost the economic status of the people (see Mbaiwa, 2005aMbaiwa, , 2005bMoswete, Dube, 2013). It can create further employment opportunities (Rogerson, 2006;WTTC, 2007;Moswete et al, 2009), enhance community cohesiveness (Zeppel, Hall, 1991), instill pride in cultural identity (Gurung, 1995;Keitumetse et al, 2007;Zeppel, 2002) and contribute to the development of infrastructure such as upgrading of roads (Moswete et al, 2009;Smith, Richards, 2013). Cultural tourism can also contribute to heritage preservation (McKercher, Du Cros, 2002); it is a vehicle for cultural exchange and it revitalizes traditional structures especially to the host communities (Moswete, Dube, 2013).…”