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Exploring the Role of Martial Arts Tourism in Social and Cultural Sustainability

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Thesis under embargo until 18th August 2027(4.06 MB)

Date

2025

Authors

Supervisor

Pernecky, Tomas
Mooney, Shelagh

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Doctor of Philosophy

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Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

The emotional fabric of community life is woven from residents' perceptions of other groups and their own identities. This complex interplay shapes local interactions and experiences and is contingent upon the cultural context in which they occur. Despite growing research on tourist-resident interactions, the cultural sustainability of tourism remains understudied. Moreover, the reciprocal dynamics between residents' self-concept and tourism-related cultural exchange require in-depth investigation. Sports tourism, a significant special interest sector, facilitates value co-creation and cultural exchange. However, its growth raises concerns about commodification and host community impacts. The literature primarily focuses on major sports and mega-events, rather than minor sports and local events. Martial arts tourism, an understudied subset, presents opportunities for embodied social interactions and sustainable destination development, therefore warranting investigation into its effects on resident perceptions and sustainability. This study aimed to examine the role of martial arts tourism in developing the social and cultural sustainability of destination communities. The objectives were to analyse residents' perceptions towards martial arts tourism, examine tourist-resident interactions, and explore the potential of martial arts tourism to foster social and cultural sustainability within the community. Dewey's social pragmatism provides the overarching epistemological framework, using a qualitative research design, guided by an interpretivist approach, and further informed by a Japanese ethno-epistemological standpoint. This study employs a dual-case study design to examine the complex relationships between historical context, resident attitudes, tourist-resident interactions, and self-concept in non-Western settings, using Okinawa karate tourism and Shorinji Kempo tourism in Tadotsu town as illustrative cases. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 participants, including tourists and residents, both martial arts practitioners and non-practitioners, with diverse demographics and occupational roles. The findings reveal a complex interplay between cultural context, economic and social climate, and resident-tourist interactions that influence perceptions of martial arts tourism. Practitioners exhibit positive perceptions, an enhanced sense of connectedness, and pride, demonstrating a community of serious leisure enthusiasts. Non-practitioners' perceptions vary significantly: Okinawan residents appreciate the cultural and economic impacts of martial arts tourism and associate it with cultural representation, while Tadotsu residents express intergenerational frustration and conflict related to tourism and town promotions, yet do not appear to regard Shorinji Kempo tourism as integral to their local culture or identity. Notably, tourism emerges as a means to meet community needs in both cases – in Okinawa, for external validation and identifying cultural successors overseas, and in Tadotsu, as a catalyst for collaborative town rejuvenation. These findings have significant implications for martial arts institutions, tourism businesses, and governments. Effective martial arts tourism management and promotion require collaborative initiatives, inclusive narratives, and community education. Considering non-practitioners' perspectives is crucial for fostering mutual understanding and authentic pride. By addressing existing gaps, this research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between tourism, community, and cultural sustainability. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of emotional well-being and social and cultural sustainability in community development, underscoring the need for tourism strategies that prioritise these facets.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10292/19684

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Doctoral Theses