Authenticity in Community-based tourism / A study of changing reality of authenticity amidst commodification & modernization in Ghandruk: A study of changing reality of authenticity amidst commodification & modernization in Ghandruk
Translated title
Authenticity in Community-based tourism / A study of changing reality of authenticity amidst commodification & modernization in Ghandruk
Authors
Gopali, Sapana ; Shrestha, Sonu
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-30
Pages
108
Abstract
This thesis examines how community-based tourism (CBT) in Ghandruk, Nepal, shapes and is shaped by questions of authenticity amid commodification and modernization. It asks: How do current CBT practices influence the destination’s authenticity and identity? In what ways do infrastructure change and commercialization produce staged authenticity and affect tourists’ experiences? What roles do tourist motivations and local actors’ awareness of cultural preservation play? The study adopts a single-case design of Ghandruk within the Annapurna Conservation Area, guided by a pragmatic research philosophy, a cross-sectional time horizon, primary data, and thematic analysis, and draws on theories of authenticity (including staged authenticity), tourist psychological motivations, and place identity. The analysis suggests that rapid infrastructural development and lifestyle shifts are altering traditional architecture and neighborhood character, while revenue-oriented tourism can amplify a money-making focus. Concurrent efforts to retain traditional façades (e.g., stone slate roofs) may unintentionally foster simulated or staged authenticity, shaping tourists’ perceptions and the tourist setting. The thesis highlights that CBT holds potential for livelihood benefits and conservation, yet excessive modernization and commodification risk eroding cultural heritage and destination identity. It argues for a more balanced approach that links development with genuine heritage protection to sustain credible tourist experiences in Ghandruk.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan community-baseret turisme (CBT) i Ghandruk, Nepal, påvirker og omformes af spørgsmål om autenticitet i en tid med kommercialisering og modernisering. Studiet stiller især spørgsmålene: Hvordan påvirker nutidige CBT-praksisser destinationens autenticitet og identitet? På hvilke måder skaber infrastrukturforandringer og kommercialisering iscenesat autenticitet og påvirker turisters oplevelser? Og hvilken betydning har turisters motivationer og lokale aktørers bevidsthed om kulturbevaring? Afhandlingen anvender et enkelt casestudie af Ghandruk i Annapurna Conservation Area med en pragmatisk forskningsfilosofi, et tværsnitsdesign, primære data og tematisk analyse, og den bygger teoretisk på autenticitet (herunder iscenesat autenticitet), turisters psykologiske motivationer og stedidentitet. Analysen peger på, at hurtig infrastrukturudvikling og livsstilsændringer har ændret den traditionelle bygningskultur og nabolagskarakter, mens økonomisk orienterede turismeaktiviteter kan forstærke en pengefokuseret tilgang. Samtidige forsøg på at bevare traditionelle facader (f.eks. stenpladetag) kan utilsigtet fremme simuleret eller iscenesat autenticitet, hvilket former turisternes opfattelser og turistscenen. Afhandlingen fremhæver, at CBT rummer potentiale for levebrødsforbedring og bevaring, men at overdreven modernisering og kommercialisering risikerer at underminere kulturel arv og stedets identitet. På den baggrund argumenterer den for en mere afbalanceret forvaltning, der kobler udvikling med genuin kulturarvsbeskyttelse for at understøtte troværdige turistoplevelser i Ghandruk.
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