Tourism, Authenticity, and Cultural Commodification in Nepal: A critical Analysis of Community-Based Tourism (Amaltari)
Translated title
Masters Thesis
Author
Shrestha, Sambhu
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-02-03
Pages
49
Abstract
This thesis offers a critical examination of how community-based tourism (CBT) in Amaltari, Nepal, shapes cultural authenticity, cultural commodification, and local socioeconomic change. Using a qualitative design grounded in interviews with local stakeholders—such as homestay owners, residents, and tourists—and thematic analysis, the study situates developments in Amaltari within wider debates on tourism, authenticity, and commercialization. The findings indicate mixed outcomes: tourism strengthens local pride and intergenerational knowledge transmission, and it generates income and enterprise opportunities in hospitality, event organization, and sales of local products, with notable openings for youth and women. At the same time, the pressure to meet visitor expectations can lead to staged or modified traditions, raising concerns about authenticity and commodification. The thesis underscores the importance of participatory decision-making, capacity-building in business management, digital promotion, and language skills, alongside collaborative governance and environmental responsibility, to maintain community control, safeguard cultural heritage, and support long-term, sustainable development.
Denne afhandling undersøger kritisk, hvordan samfundsbaseret turisme (CBT) i Amaltari, Nepal, påvirker kulturel autenticitet, kulturel varegørelse og lokale socioøkonomiske forhold. Med udgangspunkt i en kvalitativ tilgang baseret på interviews med lokale aktører som homestay-ejere, beboere og turister samt tematisk analyse, sætter studiet udviklingen i Amaltari ind i en bredere debat om turisme, autenticitet og kommercialisering. Resultaterne peger på blandede konsekvenser: Turismen styrker lokal stolthed og vidensoverførsel mellem generationer, og den skaber indtægter og iværksættermuligheder inden for gæstfrihed, arrangementer og salg af lokale produkter, med særlige muligheder for unge og kvinder. Samtidig kan forventninger fra besøgende føre til iscenesættelse eller tilpasning af traditioner, hvilket udfordrer autenticiteten og rejser spørgsmål om kulturel varegørelse. Afhandlingen fremhæver behovet for deltagende beslutningsprocesser, kapacitetsopbygning i forretningsdrift, digital markedsføring og sprogkompetencer samt et samarbejdende styrings- og miljøansvar for at fastholde lokalt ejerskab, beskytte kulturarven og sikre langtidsholdbar udvikling.
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