Cultural tourism trends

El objetivo de este trabajo es reflexionar sobre las características del crecimiento del turismo mundial y su relación con el desarrollo del turismo cultural. Los próximos años estarán marcados por un aumento constante de visitantes, con perfiles demográficos, geográficos, funcionales y culturales diversos. Bajo el paradigma de que el turismo cultural debe contribuir a la mejora de la calidad de vida de todos los involucrados, este trabajo propone distintas líneas de actuación que contribuyan a la sostenibilidad del sector cultural y turístico. El documento aborda otras tendencias como la necesidad de equilibrio entre marketing y planificación, la construcción colectiva de las imágenes turísticas, la importancia actual del patrimonio inmaterial o la creciente presencia de las nuevas tecnologías en todos los aspectos del turismo cultural.This work aims to reflect on the characteristics of global tourism growth and its relation to cultural tourism development. The next few years will witness remarkable growth in tourism numbers, with visitors coming with diverse demographic, geographic, functional, and cultural backgrounds. Under the paradigm that cultural tourism should contribute to life quality improvement of all those involved, this work proposes different lines of action that contribute to the sustainability of the cultural and tourism sector. The document addresses other trends, such as the need for a balance between marketing and planning, the collective construction of tourist images, the importance of intangible heritage, or the growing presence of new technologies in all aspects of cultural tourism. Under the paradigm that cultural tourism should contribute to life quality improvement of all those involved, this work proposes different lines of action that contribute to the sustainability of the cultural and tourism sector. The document addresses other trends such as the need for balance between marketing and planning, the collective construction of tourist images, the current importance of intangible heritage or the growing presence of new technologies in all aspects of cultural touris

Characteristics and challenges of participatory action research (PAR): A personal experience in tourism research

El objetivo de este artículo es la reflexión sobre el complejo proceso de análisis y escritura de la investigación acción participativa (IAP), desde un ángulo teórico y un ejemplo práctico. Así, la primera parte del texto aporta una visión general de los distintos enfoques de investigación activa, desde su evolución histórica hasta las tipologías en las que ha derivado; se presentan también sus principales características y contextos haciendo hincapié en su objetivo dual, carácter colaborativo y método cíclico, para concluir con sus limitaciones más importantes como el abuso, el tokenismo o la “nueva tiranía” de la que puede hacer gala. En la segunda parte se aborda un caso práctico de IAP en turismo con comunidades indígenas de la Selva Lacandona (México). A través de la descripción metódica del proceso de diseño, investigación, análisis y escritura del trabajo doctoral de la autora, se examina la experiencia completa de un proyecto de IAP y se da respuesta a los distintos retos encontrados. Igualmente, se discuten los valores éticos que deben informar los estudios colaborativos y la necesidad de reflexión sobre el papel del investigador externo en los procesos de IAP. El resultado de esta reflexión muestra la necesidad imperiosa de colaborar con las comunidades locales para avanzar en el conocimiento turístico y descolonizador en contextos indígenas.This article looks at participatory action research (PAR) methods from theoretical and practical perspectives. The first part of this work provides an overview of the different approaches to action research, its historical evolution and resulting typologies. Its main characteristics and contexts are explored, highlighting the dual purpose of the method, collaborative nature and cyclical practice to conclude with the main shortcomings such as the abuse, ‘tokenism’ or the ‘new tyranny’ of the method. The second part focuses on a practical example of par with indigenous communities in the Lacandon Jungle (Mexico). Through the description of the research process from design, field work and analysis to the final writing of the doctoral work, the comprehensive experience of a PAR project is examined and the different challenges and responses are presented. The ethical values that should inform collaborative studies and the need for reflection on the role played by the external researcher in the PAR processes are also discussed. The text concludes with a reflection on the imperative need to collaborate with local communities to advance in decolonized tourism knowledge in indigenous contexts

Governance, Community Resilience, and Indigenous Tourism in Nahá, Mexico

Employing resilience as the theoretical and methodological framework and focusing on governance, this long-term anthropological study analyzes the socio-ecological system of a small indigenous community, with community-based tourism development. After 10 years of ethnographic and participatory work with the Lacandon Maya of Nahá, Mexico, our anthropological research explores the complexities of community governance and its role in protecting the socio-ecological system. The processes of land restitution initiated by the Mexican government and the arrival of migrants from different ethnic groups in the surrounding areas have resulted in significant socio-ecological adjustments being made at the community level. A self-regulated governance system is evaluated to understand the drivers and variables that generated vulnerabilities in the system, as well as the factors that fostered resilience in the establishment of the Nahá’s Natural Protected Area of Flora and Fauna. Our results show that although the current Lacandon political organization is fairly recent, pressures from neighboring communities have fostered resilience responses. To protect their space from such pressures, the Lacandon, convinced of their ethnic legitimacy as guardians of the Lacandon Jungle, have internalized the official political-environmentalist discourse. This role has had critical implications for the birth and development of the Indigenous tourism system.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain) under grants CSO2017-84893-P (2018-2020)

Capacity-building in indigenous communities. A case of Participatory Action Research (PAR)

La literatura académica subraya la importancia de involucrar a la comunidad en los procesos de capacitación turística. Sin embargo, apenas hay reflexiones sobre cómo diseñar e implementar la formación en áreas rurales y remotas. En este trabajo se exponen las cuatro fases de un ciclo de Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP), desarrollada en la Selva Lacandona de México con la colaboración de los grupos originarios lacandones y ch’oles. El objetivo de estudio fue la capacitación humana en las áreas de sistemas turísticos, interpretación del patrimonio natural y cultural, y creación de producto. Todo ello complementado con una capacitación específica para mujeres y jóvenes, grupos tradicionalmente relegados en estas comunidades. El relato de las distintas fases de la IAP nos muestra cómo el conocimiento ancestral es la base para una capacitación turística sólida. La involucración de jóvenes estudiantes en los procesos de formación en comunidades, los formatos adaptados a los contextos locales, y los ejercicios de reciprocidad científica, sirven además para la revitalización cultural, el refuerzo de la autoestima y el desarrollo endógeno de los pueblos indígenas.The academic literature emphasizes the importance of community involvement in tourism training processes. However, there is a lack of reflections about how to design and implement collaborative training programs in rural and remote areas. This paper presents the four phases of a Participatory Action Research (IAP) cycle developed in the Lacandon Jungle of Mexico in collaboration with the Lacandon and Ch’ol indigenous groups. The aim of the project was to build human capacity in the areas of tourism systems, interpretation of natural and cultural heritage, and tourism product design. These areas were complemented with specific training programs for those traditionally relegated in their communities: women and youth. The account of the different IAP phases shows how ancestral knowledge is the basis for solid tourism training. The involvement of young students in the capacity-building program, the employment of formats tailored to local contexts and the exercise of scientific reciprocity serve to cultural revitalization, self-esteem strengthening and endogenous development of indigenous communities

Cumplimiento de la Agenda Europea de Competencias: la importancia de las habilidades sociales para una industria turística y hotelera sostenible

The research presents the results of a quantitative survey of senior managers’ evaluation of proficiency of employees’ social skills completed in 2019 within the framework of the Next Tourism Generation Alliance, a European Commission funded project. The current and future levels of proficiency, social skills gaps and training are assessed. The sample includes 1404 respondents from organisations across eight countries in Europe in five tourism and hospitality sectors (hospitality, food & beverage, tour-operators, visitor attractions and DMOs). Results show significant country-based differences and variations according to the type of organisation, operational sector and organisation size. The required future levels of the social skills are strongly related to their current levels. Two clusters are identified based on the management perceptions of employees’ social skills gaps. Respondents in the first cluster (N=871) see only small gaps between the current and required future proficiency levels of social skills in their organisations while respondents in the second cluster (N=533) perceive much larger gaps. The findings indicate a need to develop holistic social skill training and education which supports quality customer experiences and sustainable tourism criteria.La investigación presenta los resultados de una encuesta cuantitativa sobre la evaluación, por parte de altos directivos, del dominio de las habilidades sociales de los empleados realizada en 2019 en el marco de la Alianza Next Tourism Generation, un proyecto financiado por la Comisión Europea. Se evalúan los niveles actuales y futuros de competencia, las carencias en habilidades sociales y de formación. La muestra incluye 1404 encuestados de organizaciones de ocho países europeos de cinco sectores del turismo. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre países y variaciones según el tipo de organización, el sector operativo y el tamaño de la organización. Los niveles futuros requeridos de las habilidades sociales están estrechamente relacionados con sus niveles actuales. Se identifican dos grupos en función de las percepciones de los directivos sobre las carencias de los empleados en materia de habilidades sociales. Los encuestados del primer grupo (N=871) sólo ven pequeñas diferencias entre los niveles actuales y futuros de competencia en habilidades sociales, mientras que los encuestados del segundo grupo (N=533) perciben diferencias mucho mayores. Los resultados indican la necesidad de desarrollar una formación y educación holísticas en habilidades sociales que respalden las experiencias turísticas de calidad y los criterios del turismo sostenible.This publication is developed within the frame the “Next Tourism Generation Alliance" (NTG Alliance) project of the European Commission (project reference 17D029897). This project has been funded within the Erasmus+ KA2 programme (Sector Skills Alliances 2018 for implementing a new strategic approach (Blueprint) to sectoral cooperation on skills; EAC/A05/2017, LOT 3) and with support from the European Commission

Social tourism & older people: the IMSERSO initiative

Extant demand-perspective social tourism studies have generally focused on children, families and the disabled whilst older people remain an under-researched group in relation to the personal and social benefits of social tourism initiatives. This study discusses the lack of research on social tourism and older people and takes a demand-side perspective to examine one of the world’s most developed and large-scale social tourism schemes for older people, the Spanish Government’s IMSERSO programme. A qualitative approach explores the nature of older people’s engagement with the scheme and its impact on their wellbeing, through individual in-depth interviews with twenty-seven IMSERSO participants in Benidorm, Spain – a popular IMSERSO destination. The thematic analysis is structured around five themes: social connectivity, the impact of caring responsibilities, a new beginning, escape and practical support. The findings for these IMSERSO participants suggest that, as factors such as caring obligations and hardship experienced in early life are reduced in later life, they have the capacity for increased holiday-taking and social activity and consequently for participation in the IMSERSO scheme. The scheme is found to have a positive impact on their wellbeing by providing opportunities for meeting and interacting with new people, acting as a distraction from ill-health and thus reducing stress, depression and anxiety. However, the article raises questions over the ability of those without strong social networks, including no partner, and those with ongoing caring responsibilities (those who, it could be argued, are most in need of a holiday) to participate in the scheme

Knowledge dialogue through Indigenous tourism product design: a collaborative research process with the Lacandon of Chiapas, Mexico

This research analyzes an innovative process employed by Indigenous entrepreneurs and employees to design new and imaginative products closely related to their cultural, social and natural heritage, values and resources. In the State of Chiapas, with over one million Indigenous inhabitants, where poverty has persisted for decades, government and international agencies have promoted the development of many Indigenous tourism initiatives. However, the employment of top-down strategies focused predominantly towards the provision of tourist facilities failed to recognize the crucial role of tourism products and activities, thus sustaining and promoting stereotyped ideas of Indigenous peoples. This paper focuses on the benefits of collaborative research and knowledge dialogue between scientific and traditional wisdom to overcome some of these limitations through the application of an Indigenous Tourism Product Development Model. Using Participatory Action Research processes, university researchers worked with the management and staff of four Indigenous (Lacandon) owned and operated companies located in the communities of Lacanjá Chansayab and Nahá (Lacandon Jungle) in Mexico, to create a series of new cultural and heritage-related products. The paper explores the capacity of this process to revitalize culture while fostering feelings of accomplishment, participation, cultural pride and creative confidence among the co-researchers

Analysis of the Tourism Offering of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Peruvian Centennials and Millennials. An Alternative for the Post-Pandemic?

Este artículo evalúa la oferta de patrimonio cultural inmaterial (PCI) del sur peruano como atracción turística a fin de promover el turismo basado en él como alternativa para la recuperación del sector. El objetivo es conocer lo que se ofrece y cómo se ofrece, además de si lo ofertado condice con los intereses y las preferencias de la demanda. Para tal fin, se analizan la información y las imágenes asociadas a las manifestaciones del PCI. Se evidencia una correspondencia geográfica entre la demanda y la oferta, lo que resalta la importancia del sur peruano como lugar de “encuentro”. También se deben diseñar políticas que promuevan el turismo basado en PCI en las zonas de estudio. Existe una demanda interesada en este patrimonio, pero es necesario articu­lar los atractivos y servicios para generar productos capaces de atraerla.This article evaluates the intangible cultural heritage (ich) offerings in Southern Peru as a tourist attraction to promote ich-based tourism as an alternative for the recovery of the tourism sector. The objective is to understand what is being offered and how it is presented, as well as whether what is offered aligns with the interests and preferences of the demand. To this end, the information and images associated with ich manifestations are analyzed. There is a geographical correspondence between the demand and the offering, highlighting the significance of southern Peru as a “meeting place”. Likewise, the design of policies should promote ich-based tourism in the study areas. There is demand for this heritage, but it is necessary to articulate the attractions and services to generate products capable of attracting it