Presentation recently given to visitor industry professionals on the economic benefits of cultural tourism in Hawaii

1. THE TRUTH IS MORE
VALUABLE THAN FICTION
The Economic Development Benefits of Cultural
Heritage in Hawai`i’s Visitor Industry

2. Trisha Kehaulani Watson, JD, PhD
, ,
Born and raised in Mānoa
B.A. Sociology / American Studies
M.A.
M A American Studies
J.D. / Environmental Law Certificate
Ph.D. American St di
Ph D A i Studies
Native Hawaiian Organizations: Hawaiian Civic
Club f Honolulu, `Ah h i K `ahumanu,
Cl b of H l l Ahahui Ka h
Daughters of Hawai`i, (co-founder) Kāko`o `Ōiwi

3. What is Cultural Heritage?
g
Cultural Heritage refers to the cultural legacy inherited from
previous generations, a l
i ti legacy which we often want t
hi h ft t to
identify and preserve because it reinforces our cultural
identity or sense of who we are as a people. Cultural
Heritage is typically associated with a p
g yp y particular p p or
people
group.
Cultural heritage may be tangible and include archaeological
sites, artifacts, buildings,
sites artifacts buildings historic sites monuments graves
sites, monuments, graves,
and culturally significant landscapes such as sacred
places. It may also be intangible, as in language, oral
histories, beliefs, practices, rituals, ceremonies, customs,
traditions, music, d
t diti i dance, crafts, and other arts.
ft d th t
(Missouri State University)

4. What is Cultural Tourism?
Cultural tourism forms an important component of
p p
international tourism in our world today. It
represents movements of people motivated by
cultural intents such as study tours performing
tours,
arts, festivals, cultural events, visits to sites and
monuments, as well as travel for pilgrimages.
Cultural tourism i also about i
C l l i is l b immersion i and
i in d
enjoyment of the lifestyle of the local people, the
local area and what constitutes its identity and
character. (World Tourism Organization)

5. What does this mean for Hawai`i?
Increased visitors
I d i it
Increased revenue to small and
local b sinesses
businesses
Increased support to local events
and programs that protect cultural
heritage resources

7. Understanding the Change
g g
With the expansion of the global economy the
economy,
desire to learn about global cultures has grown
Yet,
Yet many Americans may still not be
comfortable travelling outside the United
States
Hawai`i offers unique travel experiences within
the United States

9. Then… and Now
What was done wrong What can be better
Oppression of Partnerships with
Native Hawaiians
N i H ii the Hawaiian
Over-sexualized community
images of Hawaiian Economic benefits
women
to Hawaiians
Misappropriation of
culture and cultural Accuracy in cultural
identity knowledge

10. How t G t There
H to Get Th
Implementing C lt l H it
I l ti Cultural Heritage i t th
into the
Visitor Industry

11. Pragmatic Progress
g g
In these economic times the goal to
times,
implementing cultural heritage into the tourism
industry will be taking p g
y g pragmatic and
affordable steps.
No reasonable person should expect
p p
sweeping changes overnight.
The keys are 1) educate, 2) invest, 3) train
y ) ) )

12. Educate, Invest, Train
, ,
Educate: Management and Owners should
work with highly qualified experts in local
cultural knowledge and heritage to decide
areas th t can be improved and create a
that b i d d t
strategic plan
Invest: Invest in ways that are reasonable and
affordable to make these changes
Train: Train and educate staff as to how to
maximize and sustain the benefits from the
changes