an actor-network perspective on sustainable tourism development

284 Pages·2004·2.26 MB·English

TOURISMSCAPES
Promotoren:
Prof. dr. J. Lengkeek
Hoogleraar Sociaal-ruimtelijke Analyse, Wageningen Universiteit
Prof. drs. N.W. Visser
Hoogleraar Duurzame Toeristische Ontwikkeling,
Université de Savoie, Chambéry, Frankrijk/NHTV Internationale hogeschool Breda
Promotiecommissie:
Prof. dr. H. Dahles, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Prof. dr. ir. J.S.C. Wiskerke, Wageningen Universiteit
Prof. dr. ir. C.S.A. van Koppen, Wageningen Universiteit
Prof. dr. M. Jansen Verbeke, Universiteit van Leuven
Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd binnen de onderzoekschool Mansholt
TOURISMSCAPES
An actor-network perspective
on sustainable tourism development
V.R. van der Duim
Proefschrift
ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor
op gezag van de rector magnificus
van Wageningen Universiteit
Prof. dr. ir. L. Speelman
in het openbaar te verdedigen
op woensdag 29 juni 2005
des namiddags om 13.30 uur in de Aula
Duim, V.R. van der
Tourismscapes, an actor-network perspective on sustainable tourism development
Dissertation Wageningen University
ISBN 90-8504-226-7
© Copyright V.R. van der Duim
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means without prior permission of the author
P
r
e
f
a
c
e
Preface Preface
6 7
Preface Preface
Preface
In this book I introduce the concept of ‘tourismscapes’ to indicate complex processes of ordering
people and things into networks. This book itself is the result of a similar process of ordering
– and I should like to mention and thank those who played a role in it.
As people, too, are networks – the ‘artful arrangements of bits and pieces’, as John Law (1994)
puts it – this book is the product of the heterogeneous resources of my body. Although we do
not have much direct control over and do not know much about vital parts of our body, if these
parts fall apart we are in dire trouble. As a consequence of this falling apart, I have lost some
dear friends and relatives over the last few years. This book is dedicated to the memory of these
people, that is, to my father and mother, without whom I would have never been able to order
anything at all; to Harry, with whom I travelled to Costa Rica a couple of times; to my dear friends
Maria and Johan; and to the late Professor Sindiga of Moi University, who invited me to join the
MHO project and who first opened the doors to Africa for me.
These deaths reminded me that each of us is a fragile arrangement and if we count as people
rather than as organisms, this is because we have a lot of other bits and pieces – our clothes, car,
house, words, moods, friends, colleagues and relatives – over which we may have at least some
control. For example, my bureau (thanks Jos!) and office at home, as well as my new computer
with its fast Internet connection, ‘afforded’ me to work efficiently from my house. I enjoyed the
months of seclusion, which were possible only because of modern communication techniques.
The numerous books, articles and conference papers (thanks Wieske and Gerard!) also provided
me with the material to widen and order my thoughts. Airplanes took me many times to Costa
Rica, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. The TESO ferry connected Texel with the ‘other side’
(which is how the islanders regard the Dutch mainland). Tante Truus’ cottage provided me, as
well as others involved in the process, with shelter while doing research on Texel.
And there were numerous others involved in the process of ordering. It was through them that I
realized this book. First of all I am greatly indebted to Janine Caalders, who joined me on several
trips to Costa Rica and in various projects within the Sustainable Development Agreement
between Costa Rica and the Netherlands. Working with Janine was always both inspiring and
pleasant; our cooperation undeniably and significantly contributed to the ordering process.
Together with Janine (and of course her colleagues Nanda, Anneke, Herma and Joost at Buiten
Consultancy), I managed to collect the data in Costa Rica and on Texel that underlie this book.
In Costa Rica, I worked together with many ‘Ticos’ and other ‘Latinos’. To name just a few: Allen
Cordero, Luisa van Duynen Monteijn, Giovanni Beluche, Gonzalo Aguirre, Marieloz Bonilla
Moya and Antonio Alfaro of Fundecooperacion. Fundecooperacion and Ecooperation financed
the projects we executed in Costa Rica and on Texel. Along the way, I always kept in contact
with Marinus Gisolf, who introduced me to some of the particularities of tourism. As for Africa,
I am greatly indebted to Bob Wishitemi and John Akama, as well as to other staff members of
the Department of Tourism of Moi University, with whom I worked so closely – and, eventually,
successfully – for over nine years. On Texel, I had the pleasure to talk to many islanders who at all
times, in one way or another, playfully reminded me that I am from the ‘other side’.
6 7
Preface
The writing of this book is also part of the research agenda of our department. Many colleagues
and students also contributed to the ordering process. It was with Jan Philipsen that I first
travelled to Costa Rica and Kenya to investigate the opportunities, which turned out to be much
more promising than we had hoped or expected. Jan also initiated me into the peculiarities of
the Texel 2030 project. Karin Peters sheltered me by taking over many of my duties during my
absence, and Lianne Boomars and I had many inspiring discussions about work and non-work
while sitting in traffic jams between Wageningen and Nijmegen. I am also grateful to Henk de
Haan for introducing me to some interesting theoretical avenues, to Stu Cottrell for his pleasant
cooperation in joint course work, and to Jaap Lengkeek for facilitating and at all times trusting
me in this process of ordering. And, last but not least, Carla, who was all ears during our many
coffee breaks together. I really enjoyed the talks with the increasing number of PhD students
closeted behind the spring-loaded doors lining our corridor. Numerous students did fieldwork in
Tanzania, Kenya, Costa Rica and on Texel, and provided some of the data I was not able to gather
myself. Ramona van Marwijk greatly supported me in one of the final stages of the writing of this
book.
Nico Visser, John Hummel and Stephen Wearing are just a few of my many colleagues outside
the University who played a role in the process. Gerard Verschoor ‘acted at a distance’ through
his book intriguingly titled Tacos, Tiendas and Mezcal. With Frans de Man I had many discussions
worthy of note – in Costa Rica, Quebec, on the train from Nijmegen to Amsterdam and in many
other places along the road. Jeremy Rayner corrected the English, Ans Wilders designed the cover
and Dia Hopmans kindly did the layout of this book.
Finally, there were many friends and relatives who once in a while carefully inquired about the
progress I was making and kept faith that there would be a conclusion at some point. Marian
allowed me to work on Wednesdays as well, by tenderly taking care of the children. And, of
course, Bart and Jo were always there to look after their grandchildren when we were up to our
necks in work. Last but not least, my partner Elize and our children Daniël and Eveline provided
me with a warm and bustling nest in which to do my work.
All these and many other ‘bits and pieces’ were part of my process of ordering. As such, the
ordering is incomplete, and by necessity much escaped me, and I take full responsibility for
any oversights in this book. The writing of it was not only my work, but also my privilege and
pleasure.
8
T
a
b
l
e

o
f

c
o
n
t
e
n
t
s
Table of contents Table of contents
10 11