Project

sustainable tourism ; cultural and political geography ; territorial modes of development; collectives identities and territorialities ; mountain regions ; Morocco ; Niger

Lead
Lay summary
Keywords: Sustainable tourism - cultural and political geography - territorial modes of development -collectives identities and territorialities - mountain regions - Morocco - Niger Laysummary: ObjectivesFor the past two decades, tourism has been widely promoted as an opportunity for local development in marginalized areas. More specifically, sustainable tourism has been encouraged worldwide. However, in this domain, the criteria of sustainability in social and cultural terms for tourism development have got little attention so far, and the question of adjustment of global recommendations to local contexts is often left aside. MIST.AA aims at analyzing the interaction of global models of sustainable tourism and local issues in terms of social equity, collective identities and well-being.Case StudiesThis project focuses on these issues thanks to fieldwork research in mountain regions of Africa will highlight the role of spatial arrangements and collective identities and territorialities in tourism development. This research will be done in High Atlas (Morocco) and the Aïr (Niger) regions.The related comparative approach will rely on the following idea: Tourism development in High Atlas and Aïr region presents some similarities (identified by international tourism, marketed as alternative mountain destinations for Western tourists, cultural minorities asking for more cultural and political recognition, etc.) and strong differences (spatial arrangements and territorialities of local people, national contexts, geopolitical issues, etc.) which can help to weight the influence of the spatial and territorial factors.Meaning Such a comparative approach is also motivated by specific objectives in terms of development and security. The Touareg rebellion, which has recently compromised tourism activities in the Aïr mountains, can partly be explained by the poor territorial adjustment of tourism, mining and traditional activities. The High Atlas region presents high cultural and territorial specificities which should make us aware that tourism development is not free of social and political risks. The research project, grounded on on-going development projects and social initiatives, aims at promoting sustainable tourism, social equity, poverty reduction, and recognition of the rights of cultural minorities.Moreover, the comparative approach with lies at the very core of this research project means to ease exchange and cooperation between Nigerians and Moroccans, as well as between scientists and development stakeholders.

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Last update: 21.02.2013

Natural persons

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Active participation

Self-organised

For the past two decades, especially since the UNCED (1992), tourism has been widely promoted as an opportunity for local development in marginalized areas. More specifically, sustainable tourism has been encouraged, taking in account the environmental value and the cultural specificities of many of these regions. However, in this domain, the criteria of sustainability in social and cultural terms for tourism development have got little attention so far. This project intends to focus on these issues thanks to a deep and participative fieldwork research in mountain regions of Africa, and a conceptual and theoretical framework which will highlight the role of spatial arrangements and collective territorialities in tourism development. In order to reach these objectives, this research project will therefore be grounded on the theoretical and methodological resources of geography as an academic discipline.This research will rely on two regional case studies, the High Atlas (Morocco) and the Aïr (Niger) regions, thanks to a comparative analysis of respective tourism initiatives on one side, and social, cultural and political contexts on the other.Such a comparative approach is scientifically motivated by the following elements: Tourism development in High Atlas and Aïr region presents some similarities (identified by international tourism, marketed as alternative mountain destinations for Western tourists, cultural minorities asking for more cultural and political recognition, etc.) and strong differences (spatial arrangements and territorialities of local people, national contexts, geopolitical issues, etc.) which can help to weight the influence of the spatial ands territorial factors.Such a comparative approach is also motivated by specific objectives in terms of development and security. Indeed, the Touareg rebellion, which has recently compromised tourism activities in the Aïr mountains, can partly be explained by the poor territorial adjustment of tourism, mining and traditional activities. Though the High Atlas region shows different political, cultural and economic arrangements, the high cultural and territorial specificities of the region in the Moroccan context should make us aware that tourism development is not free of social and political risks. The research project, grounded on on-going development projects and social initiatives, aims at promoting sustainable tourism, social equity, poverty reduction, and recognition of the rights of cultural minorities.Moreover, the comparative approach with lies at the very core of this research project means to ease exchange and cooperation between Nigerians and Moroccans, as well as between scientists and development stakeholders. Therefore, the scientific cooperation which will be promoted here will target the improvement of the academic resources both in a North-South cooperation way, and in a South-South and global networking.