Na Vakatorocaketaki ni Bula ni Taukei kei na Saravanua: Tourism and Quality of Life in the Fiji Islands: a case study of a rural Fijian village

Matatolu, Ilisapeci (2020) Na Vakatorocaketaki ni Bula ni Taukei kei na Saravanua: Tourism and Quality of Life in the Fiji Islands: a case study of a rural Fijian village. UNSPECIFIED.

Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentation delivered at 12th Biennial Conference of the Aotearoa New Zealand International Development Studies Ntework - Massey University - 3-4 December 2020) - Presentation Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (2MB)

Abstract

While research on tourism impacts is well established, the focus on indigenous residents QOL is still at its nascent stages. This empirical study looked at how residents of a rural indigenous community in Fiji perceived tourism impacts on their QOL. The ethnographic case study used key informant interviews, participant observation and focus groups to collate data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data to generate findings to address the research questions. Residents prioritised faith, family and farms in terms of their QOL priorities. The priorities are culturally informed and reflect the values of their community. While the community recognises the positive impacts of tourism at socio-economic levels, it also recognises conflict exists as a result of tourism engagement. There is a need to find a consensus in terms of the definitions of QOL so that culturally specific nuances are considered. As indigenous tourism is now a major part of the global tourism dynamic, ethnographic research on indigenous communities must be stepped up. The indigenous researcher’s voice must be heard to achieve what Tuhiwai-Smith (199) calls the required decolonization of methodologies so that a wider range of cultural perspectives within academic scholarship is achieved.

Item Type:	Other
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Depositing User:	Ilisaveci Matatolu
Date Deposited:	04 Jan 2021 23:21
Last Modified:	04 Jan 2021 23:21
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/12498

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