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
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55
56
57
58
59
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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.
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