A/78/162 Indigenous traditional authorities. 53 Indigenous Peoples have also reported that States grant licences for the construction of hotels and other tourism facilities on their land without consultation and their free, prior and informed consent. 54 32. Lack of consultation and consent from Indigenous Peoples affected by the development of tourism infrastructure such as trains, cable cars, hotels and restaurants on Indigenous lands is a recurring issue. With their right to partici pation denied, Indigenous Peoples are unable to steer the development of such infrastructure in a way that supports their cultural approach and their Indigenous economy. 55 D. Cultural rights 33. Indigenous Peoples’ cultures represent a significant tourist attraction and are widely promoted by States to showcase the cultural diversity of their country. While in many cases, tourism can greatly benefit Indigenous Peoples’ cultural rights, it can pose a threat to cultural survival for others. It is important to highlight that as part of their cosmovision, Indigenous Peoples��� cultural heritage encompasses their lands and resources, sacred sites, livelihoods, languages, artistic expression and spiritual beliefs. 34. Tourism can help to preserve and promote Indigenous practices, knowledge, traditions and languages and enhance the understanding and appreciation of cultures. 56 If tourism is Indigenous-led, it can enable Indigenous Peoples to share their stories in their own voice, using connectivity and storytelling that is often missed in mainstream societies. Cultural awareness and understanding can lead to greater protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. 57 Tourism can also strengthen traditional activities, arts and crafts, revitalize social life, preserve Indigenous architecture and historical remains and protect scenic landscapes. 58 35. Without the meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples in the design, implementation, monitoring and benefit-sharing of tourism projects, there will be risks of commodification, misrepresentation, appropriation and disruption of Indigenous culture. A 2017 study warns against the dangers of commodification: “All too often, tourists are not looking for more than superficial contact, and th e cultural practices and traditions of Indigenous Peoples may be transformed into performances for popular consumption. Heritage can be reduced to trinkets, devoid of meaning and valued only as commodities”. 59 Tourism is sometimes viewed as a form of colonization through the exploitation of Indigenous culture (human zoos) and forced encounters with visitors. 60 __________________ 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 23-13642 Submission by Guna-Dule Nation, Panama; oral intervention, Special Rapporteur consultation of 25 May 2023. Joint submission by International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact. Joint submission by Indigenous Peoples Rights International and International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs; and submission by Alternative for India Development. Submissions by Kenya and Canada; and submission by Indigenous Peoples of Mu ng-Dun-ChunKham, Assam, India. Submissions by Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and Assembly of First Nations. Submission by United Maroons Indigenous Peoples. Helen Jennings, “Indigenous Peoples and Tourism”, TourismConcern, Research briefing (2017). Available at https://www.humanrights-in-tourism.net/sites/default/files/media/file/2020/rc025 indigenous-peoples-tourism-1197.pdf. Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, “The ongoingness of imperialism: The problem of tourism dependency and the promise of radical equality”, Annals of Tourism Research, vol. 94 (2022). Available at https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0160738322000330?token=0C885E39B 110DACC87D9C3B25AB0F34F8D9E89ABCDAFF6969F097F43736C7EAEAD3218F75DE7E9 AD4C249A3AF2840C12&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20230515055710. 11/25