From Parades to Preservation: Examining the Impact of Tourism on Aruba’s Carnival Heritage
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2024-07-16
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en
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Tourism is a vital and rapidly expanding global industry, crucial for economic development and employment. Aruba, a Caribbean island, exemplifies this growth, with tourism becoming its largest industry post-1985. As Aruba seeks to attract younger tourists through niche offerings, cultural tourism remains underdeveloped. This thesis examines the interplay between Aruba's tourism practices and its cultural heritage, focusing on Carnival—a central cultural event. It addresses the commodification of Carnival for tourism, its impact on (perceived) authenticity, and cultural heritage preservation.
Using literature review, analysis of promotional material, and in-depth interviews, the study reveals that while Carnival boosts Aruba's brand and tourist appeal, there are concerns about cultural commodification. Locals generally support its promotional use but fear future commercialization.
The thesis calls for balancing cultural integrity with tourism potential, offering strategies for sustainable cultural tourism and suggesting areas for future research and policy development.
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