Are our voices now heard? Reflections on Indigenous tourism research

Abstract

More than a decade ago, Nielsen and Wilson (2012) developed the ‘Critical Typology of Indigenous Tourism Research’ in this very publication, the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management. They argued that Indigenous voices are rarely heard in tourism research that is dominated by White, western academics. Critical tourism scholars are still echoing this sentiment today, calling attention to the need for Indigenous tourism research to be led by Indigenous peoples. This research commentary rethinks and reframes the typology, presenting an Indigenised model, the ‘Spectrum of Indigenous Engagement’. This contemporary model presents four approaches: blind, superficial, collaborative and Indigenist, illustrated by recent examples of Indigenous tourism research. The paper draws attention to scholars who are effectively implementing innovation and inclusive methods of Indigenous engagement, and identifies barriers to the widespread adoption of Indigenist research approaches. Above all, this paper seeks to provoke increased reflexivity and critical dialogue within the Indigenous tourism research community.