Place attachment, place identity and tourism in Jimbaran and Kuta, Bali

Abstract

This thesis is an ethnography involving as case studies two prominent tourism districts in Bali, Indonesia: Jimbaran and Kuta. The thesis explores the intersection between place attachment, place identity and tourism in these destination communities with implications for tourism planning. The study focuses on how local residents of Jimbaran and Kuta construct place meaning and perform place attachment; how locals value their place after tourism; how local communities (re)construct place identity; and how a local sense of place approach can inform tourism planning in Bali. Drawing on photographs as visual materials and narratives of local communities, this study was conducted using multiple methods, including fieldwork with photoelicitation, interviews and focus groups in Jimbaran; and online social media research for Kuta. Document studies were also applied. Thematic and discourse analyses were utilised to examine the data. The findings reveal that in everyday life, local places have significant meanings associated with the cultural and spiritual commitments that together constitute the local people's sense of place. Local philosophies such as Tri Hita Karana (relating to sources of happiness) and Desa Kala Patra (relating to place, time and occasion) are vital for locals in achieving wellbeing, maintaining their emotional attachment with their village and safeguarding Balinese culture in these localities. It is also evident that tourism within local settings largely interrupts local place attachment and place identity. Moreover, this thesis argues that indigenous-rooted communities have a significant role in maintaining tradition, identity, values and esteem of their village under desa adat (traditional village) coordination. Under this traditional scheme, the recuperation of local identity in both places is maintained through local communities' initiatives. This thesis concludes by suggesting that place attachment and place identity of local communities in Bali are important in sustaining Balinese culture during tourism development of the island. A key recommendation and contribution of this research is that local sense of place could be adopted as a very productive approach to strengthen kepariwisataan budaya (cultural tourism) policy in Bali and tourism development on the island, and to ensure cultural sustainability.

Date of Award	2015
Original language	English