Ethnicity and Tourism Entrepreneurship in Java and Bali

Abstract

Ethnicity permeates many aspects of tourism in the multi-ethnic nation of Indonesia. A great deal of tourism development in Java and Bali has been supported by global capital and this has facilitated the growth of enclaves. Despite the dominance of transnational corporations a lot of entrepreneurial activity in tourism is conducted by domestic entrepreneurs. The Chinese of South-east Asia are the subject of an increasing number of research papers, but this coverage tends to overshadow the entrepreneurial activities of other ethnic groups in the region. Attention is paid to Chinese ethnicity and entrepreneurship in this paper, especially in relation to other ethnic groups. Indonesian entrepreneurs are involved in many different kinds of tourism concerns ranging from the Jakarta conglomerates to medium-sized firms and small-scale operations. A clear line cannot always be drawn between the Jakarta conglomerates and transnational capital. There is also a substantial informal sector, often financed by Chinese capital, but operated by indigenous labour. Doing business with compatriots helps to reduce risk, especially when supply lines are extended. Anthropological and sociological theories of ethnicity enable us to examine the maintenance and extension of ethnic boundaries, and the processes by which networks include outsiders.