Discussion 5 – Asian Tourism Festivals and Event
Instructions
Festival tourism has become a major strand of activity in travel and tourism. City and regional festivals, of course, have been held for centuries all over the world. But it is only in modern times that travelers from far distant places have come to experience these. In some respects, this lies at the heart of the concept of the “tourist gaze” in which visitors merely- and perhaps too quickly or superficially observe their surroundings. Above all, however, festivals should engage the senses- sights, smells, sounds, tastes!
We have already discussed at the outset of the course the matter of sustainable tourism in harmony between the needs of visitors and local residents. I’d like to ask you this time to reverse that viewpoint just a bit.
The question I’d like you to discuss: From your own cultural background (whatever nation or culture you’d like to claim for this), please think of one festival you have attended in recent times (city, cultural, music, etc.- not a concert or convention but a genuine festival). Then, consider from your own knowledge of your culture what an outside visitor might NOT properly understand or perceive about your culture that you would like them to know- that you would tell them if you had the chance. For instance, if you are from the US, have you attended a festival with customs that you understand and appreciate deeply that really reflect something about your place, your culture. How easily is all this communicated to the outsider, or not? Is it communicated at all? What is lacking in the “translation”, so to speak?
Basically, we’re thinking this week about how to ensure a rich and meaningful experience for visitors to Asian nations, not a superficial one. Might this mean that very brief visits to festivals give incomplete or even misleading understanding of culture? Particularly here think of cultures that may differ greatly in some very visible ways shown at festivals. Do festivals express caricatures of culture…..why might this be very important for the locals but not so ideal for the visitor?
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