A critical examination of indigenous people, tourism and quality of life

Abstract

ABSTRACTAn increased demand for indigenous tourism experiences has led to increased contact between tourists and indigenous people, influencing aspects of their quality of life (QOL). This discussion paper examines tourism impacts on QOL in host communities from indigenous perspectives, with a particular focus on indigenous Fijian societies. While sharing similarities in QOL priorities, Indigenous Fijian communities reflected differences as they prioritized their vanua and cultural traditions within their QOL space. Environmental protection, kinship, solesolevaki(social capital) were prioritized from an indigenous Fijian perspective. These findings challenge current QOL definitions, highlighting the need for culturally informed classifications. This attention is critical to ensure that indigenous communities that have become tourism-active achieve sustainable tourism development. More indigenous ethnographic studies are needed to ensure greater understanding of tourism’s impacts on QOL, so that inherent costs are minimized and benefits are maximized. A more comprehensive understanding of indigenous tourism, specifically one that takes into account the needs and values of its stakeholders which relate to their QOL is needed. An integrated approach that considers indigenous values and cultural priorities is recommended for consideration in contemporary tourism and QOL frameworks in order to create an enhanced QOL paradigm that is applicable across cultures and communities.