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On Being Indonesian: Heritage Tourism at Borobudur Temple


 

Photography Credit: Stephanie Steels

Tourism can provide a source of economic growth to countries in the developing world. A monument or area designated as a World Heritage site can provide a valuable commodity that can be marketed on a global scale to encourage tourism. International and domestic tourists can contribute towards the livelihoods of the local population as well as generate regional economic development through visiting these heritage sites. However, the needs of tourists may cause conflicts amongst the stakeholders involved in the management, conservation and development of the site.

In Indonesia, the marketing of Borobudur Temple is further complicated by the ongoing process of trying to forge a national Indonesian identity. This has resulted in the creation of multiple identities which are marketed at the global, domestic and local level. The creation an ‘authentic’ experience for tourists has resulted in the displacement of the local population, excluding them from their own heritage. Thus, there is a need to question what is ‘real’ and what ‘created’ to understand the notion of ‘Indonesia’. This short report provides an overview of some of these concerns.

This paper, a dissertation was written as part of a Masters programme at the University of Leeds, UK.

Author: Stephanie Steels  

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