The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery of the South Australian Museum - Case Study Example

Case Study: The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery (AACG) of the South Australian Museum: Tourism and Indigenous People Introduction The significance and role played by tourism in fostering positive development, particularly among the indigenous communities, has been well documented by way of extensive research, carried out over the years (Altman, 1989; Hall & Weiler, 1992; Hinkson, 2003; Hollinshead, 1996; Zeppel 1998). Butler and Hinch (2007) define indigenous tourism as "a form of tourism that is directed by indigenous peoples or where indigenous culture is the tourist attraction". The wide and diverse cultural heritage often tends to play a key role in promoting national tourism. The significance and contribution of indigenous communities, thus indicates the value of indigenous culture in promoting the distinct and exotic cultural features which in turn may lead to the revival of the local culture (Ryan and Aicken, 2005 in Page, Connell, 2006). Indigenous tourism affords the indigenous communities to participate and reap the benefits that such tourism offers. The key issues discussed as a part of this study include: the manner in which the participation of local indigenous communities can be increased and encouraged by way of training, management or effective strategies; the manner in which their cultural heritage can be promoted in a way that it helps in contributing in enriching Australias tourism experience; and in what way can the policies and strategies so developed, help the indigenous populations, in establishing safe, secure and sustainable futures in terms of increased business opportunities, activities and a greater understanding of the tourism industry in general. The purpose of this report is to enhance or add to the existing market knowledge with regard to tourism as it pertains to indigenous people; help in establishing a cohesive long-term strategy aimed at developing indigenous tourism in Australia; establish a framework which allows for a greater understanding of the indigenous people, their culture, and lifestyles and in the process add to the knowledge and experience of the tourists. This study will help in understanding the manner in which strategies contribute in building the overall appeal of South Australia as a popular tourist destination, and in the process promoting indigenous tourism and cultural heritage of the region. Background: The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery (AACG) is a part of the South Australian Museum, which offers its visitors a unique experience of the Aboriginal culture and the rich cultural heritage of South Australia, by way of collections of art and artifacts. It boasts of one of the world’s most unique collection of aboriginal artifacts comprising of over 3000 items showcased in the extensive gallery, representing the Australian Aboriginal culture in all its glory (South Australian Museum, 2011). The website offers interactive support, to access valuable information about the Aboriginal culture throughout Australia, such as the weapons used by them, their art and culture, etc., which provide a glimpse of their lifestyle. This information can be further used to integrate them into the mainstream communities, and provide better opportunities for them for survival and sustenance, and on the other hand, promote Australian indigenous tourism. Discussion The market for international tourism has grown substantially over the years, owing to the increased awareness, knowledge and acknowledgement of the popularity of varied indigenous populations as well as their traditions and culture (Peeler, 2004). It is on account of this reason that the Aboriginals and the indigenous people throughout Australia are now being increasingly integrated within the tourism industry (Moore & Herron, 1997; Whitford, Bell & Watkins, 2001). The AACG is prime example of the manner in which the aboriginal art is promoted to serve as a comprehensive guide to the indigenous population within Australia. The wide array of information on display ensures that the visitors are made aware of the extensive culture and art forms of the indigenous populace, through an interactive medium (via, its website). Furthermore the Museum also hosts several artifacts which are displayed in its two floored gallery thus allowing the visitors to experience the history of one of the worlds oldest and most continuous living cultures. The museum also offers guided tours, over and above the interactive display on its web portal, for its visitors. Such initiatives not only help in promoting the indigenous culture and rich cultural heritage of the nation, but also help in integrating the aboriginal populace with the mainstream, by encouraging their involvement in various employment related activities. Analysis According to research international visitors spend a considerable share of their total tour expenditure on indigenous activities (Tourism Research Australia, 2005), while greater emphasis is given on cultural tours, thus indicating that international visitors tend to prefer short out day tours and incorporate an indigenous element as a part of their holiday activity (Tourism Queensland, 2006), as opposed to exclusively participating in activities centered around Indigenous tourism, as is widely promoted by Australian tourism authorities. The activities promoted by the AACG Museum, do not take into consideration, the tastes and preferences of the international visitors, and hence fail to engage them effectively in their program. This claim can be further affirmed by the views put forward by various researchers who have claimed that the government initiatives of accommodating indigenous elements as a part of their tourism activity, is highly symbolic of patriarchal regimes, which displays the unequal distribution of power between the indigenous and non-indigenous populace (Attwood & Arnold, 1992; Attwood and Foster, 2003; Healy, 2001). The Aboriginals are treated as objects / commodities to be marketed to the world, and are used by associating them with heritage sites, thus defying the very purpose for which the AACG was formed, and contradicting the ideologies the organization promotes. This in turn, reaffirms the claims made by Steve Hemming that the AACG has failed to address the real concerns of the indigenous Australian populations, which may have a serious negative impact on the tourism industry as a whole (Hemming, 2003). Conclusion This report, set out to address and highlight the issues and concerns associated with indigenous tourism and the impact on the indigenous population, and uses the AACG as a case study to understand the manner in which issues related to indigenous communities are used by the government for promoting tourism, and whether it hampers their development or helps them in prospering alongside the mainstream population. References: Altman J (1989) Tourism Dilemmas for Aboriginal Australians. Annals of Tourism Research. 16(4):456-476. Attwood, B. & Arnold, J. (eds) 1992. Power, Knowledge and Aborigines, A special edition of Journal of Australian Studies. Bundoora: La Trobe University Press in association with he National Centre for Australian Studies, Monash University. Attwood, B. & Foster, S. (eds) 2003. Frontier Conflict: the Australian Experience. Canberra: National Museum of Australian. Butler, R. and Hinch, T. (Eds.). (2007). Tourism and Indigenous Peoples: Issues and Implications. Oxford:Butterworth-Heinemann. Hall CM and B. Weiler (1992) Introduction: What is Special About Special Interest Tourism? In Weiler B and CM Hall (eds) Special Interest Tourism. London: Belhaven Press, pp 1-14. Healy, C. (2001). "Race Portraits” and Vernacular Possibilites: Heritage and Culture’ in Culture in Australia. Edited by T. Bennett & D. Carter. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 278-298. Hemming, S. 2003. ‘Objects and specimens: conservative politics and the SA Museum’s Aboriginal Cultures Gallery’. Overland. 171: 64-69. Hinkson M (2003) Encounter with Aboriginal Sites in Metropolitan Sydney: A Broadening Horizon for Cultural Tourism? Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 11(4):295-306. Hollinshead K (1996) Marketing and Metaphysical Realism: The Disidentification of Aboriginal Life and Traditions Through Tourism. In Butler RW and T. Hinch (eds) Tourism and Indigenous Peoples. London: International Thomson Business Press, pp 308-348. Page, S., Connell, J., (2006). Tourism: A modern synthesis, Cengage Learning Publication Tourism Western Australia, (2005). Aboriginal tourism development strategy. Perth: Western Australian Government. Tourism Western Australia, (2005). Aboriginal tourism development strategy. Perth: Western Australian Government. Whitford, M., Bell, B., & Watkins, M. (2001). Australian Indigenous tourism policy: 25 years of rhetoric and rationalism. Current Issues in Tourism, 4(2-4), pp. 151-181. Zeppel H (1998a) Land and Culture: Sustainable Tourism and Indigenous Peoples. In Hall CM and AA. Lew (eds) Sustainable Tourism: A Geographical Perspective. Harlow UK: Longman, pp 60-74. Online sources: South Australian Museum (2011). Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery [Online] Available at: http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/whatson/whattosee/permanent/aacg [Accessed: September 07, 2011] Peeler, L. (2004). Giinagay A newsletter celebrating Indigenous Australian culture [Online]. Aboriginal Tourism Australia: Edition 1, December 2005. [Available at: http://www.aboriginaltourism.com.au/media.asp?data=06080F0B4D4C4F497950535054D4C] Accessed: [September 07, 2011] Moore, J., & Herron, J. (1997). [Online] Joint Statement: National framework for Indigenous tourism. [Available at: http://www.dist.gov.au/media/archive/october97/298%2D97.html] Accessed on: September 07, 2011 Read More