Tourists’ perceptions of ethnic tourism in Lugu Lake, Yunnan, China
- 1 February 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Journal of Heritage Tourism
- Vol. 7 (1), 59-81
- https://doi.org/10.1080/1743873x.2011.632481
Abstract
This paper examines tourists’ perceptions of ethnic tourism and satisfaction with their experiences based upon empirical research conducted in 2009 in Lugu Lake, Yunnan, China. The quest for romance and exoticism has inspired mass Han Chinese visits to the lake area. The tranquility of the lake and unique minority culture impress many urbanites and satisfy their nostalgia for the untouched, the simple, and the natural. Most tourists are satisfied with their overall experience and appreciate a packaged version of minority culture and tradition. However, a small number of visitors were disappointed about the commercial setting, inadequate tourist facilities, poor service, and limited tourism programs. Many tourists are concerned about cultural change and the loss of traditional customs. It is argued that maintaining authenticity and cultural integrity is essential for sustainable ethnic tourism development. Diverse and high-quality ethnic products should be developed to suit the different needs of the various types of tourists.Keywords
This publication has 77 references indexed in Scilit:
- Regenerating urban traditions in Bahrain. Learning from Bab-Al-Bahrain: the authentic fakeJournal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 2010
- Experience quality, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions for heritage touristsTourism Management, 2010
- The search for authenticity in the pilgrim experienceAnnals of Tourism Research, 2008
- Perception of the Authenticity of Atayal Woven Handicrafts in Wulai, TaiwanJournal of Hospitality & Leisure Marketing, 2008
- Foreign Tourists' Motivation and Information Source(s) Influencing Their Preference for Eating Out at Ethnic Restaurants in BangkokInternational Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, 2008
- Tourist satisfaction a cognitive-affective modelAnnals of Tourism Research, 2008
- Measuring tourist satisfaction with Kenya's wildlife safari: a case study of Tsavo West National ParkTourism Management, 2003
- Reflections on tourist satisfaction research: Past, present and futureJournal of Vacation Marketing, 2002
- Service Quality and TourismJournal of Travel Research, 1998
- Tourism and the ethnic division of laborAnnals of Tourism Research, 1992