16 research outputs found
Toward an understanding of touristsâ authentic heritage experiences: Evidence from Hong Kong
Authenticity in tourism has been a topic of discussion since the 1960s, but the concept is still to be fully developed. This study focuses on touristsâ perceptions of authenticity, and in particular how they evaluate authentic heritage experiences. The appearance and physical settings of attractions were found to be the initial and most important indicators of authentic or inauthentic experiences. Other criteria for assessing the authenticity of heritage experiences include the presence of local culture and customs, constructed elements, commodification, and atmosphere
A Critical Approach to Developing Culturally Relevant Leadership Curricula for Muslim Students
The secular and materialistic values imported to Muslim countries through globalisation and the uncritical application of Western models and theories are changing societies from being Muslim towards a materialistic and secular one where economic value is the most critical factor that drives peopleâs behaviour and decisions. The real challenge for Muslim countries, then, is to develop and implement higher education curricula that reflect Islamic and cultural values while incorporating global knowledge developed by Western and other scholars. This chapter aims to achieve this balance by proposing a theoretical model that can be used for developing culturally relevant and critically reflective leadership curricula. The model is derived from Habermasâ account of critical theory and offers a critical and holistic approach to leadership teaching. It adopts an intercultural and interdisciplinary approach to learning and aims to start a dialogue between Western and indigenous sources of knowledge. The model also proposes the content and teaching practices recommended by leadership scholars and leadership development literature internationally to provide students with a balanced and pluralistic learning experience that addresses both the spiritual and the intellectual aspects of knowledge
Chinese Perceptions of Overseas Cultural Heritage: Emotive Existential Authenticity, Exoticism and Experiential Tourism
This paper draws upon an extensive evidence base to analyze Chinese perceptions of Western cultural heritage and capture dominant reflections on an overseas destination as portrayed through selected images and artifacts. The dataset derives from an integrated methodological approach utilized to interpret visitor perceptions of an exhibitionâhosted by Nanjing Museum, Chinaâthat focused on Scotlandâs cultural heritage. The analysis of the data revealed insight into the importance of the experiential qualities of heritage tourismâspecifically those aligned to the natural environmentâand a desire to achieve an emotive and sensual engagement with key signifiers of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage through potential leisure experiences. The results provide detailed insights into the contemporary values motivating Chinese outbound tourists to visit and experience overseas heritage, the importance and potential of innovative âexperience research methodologiesâ and practical guidance for destination organizations that seek to position and promote Western cultural heritage to a Chinese audience