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From Invisible to Indigenous-Driven: A Critical Typology of Research in Indigenous Tourism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 July 2012

Noah Nielsen
Affiliation:
Southern Cross University, Australia
Erica Wilson*
Affiliation:
Southern Cross University, Australia
*
Address for correspondence Erica Wilson, Senior Lecturer, School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Faculty of Business, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480Australia. E-mail: erica.wilson@scu.edu.au
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Abstract

This article applies a critical, deconstructive lens to examine the assumptions underpinning research in Indigenous tourism. The authors propose a conceptual typology to explore the presence, role and voice of Indigenous people within this body of research. The typology consists of four main positions, namely: invisible, identified, stakeholder, and Indigenous-driven. Examples of Indigenous tourism literature are then used to illustrate this paper's main argument, which is that although Indigenous tourism has been a topic of academic interest for over three decades, it is still predominantly driven by the needs and priorities of non-Indigenous people. Ultimately, it appears that Indigenous voice and presence as scholars and researchers within the Indigenous tourism literature remain elusive.

Type
Special Issue: Beyond the Margins (Critical Tourism and Hospitality)
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2012

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