A 'reality of return': the case of the Sarawakian-Chinese visiting China

Article

Tie, C., Holden, A. and Park, H. 2015. A 'reality of return': the case of the Sarawakian-Chinese visiting China. Tourism Management. 47, pp. 206-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.09.021
TypeArticle
TitleA 'reality of return': the case of the Sarawakian-Chinese visiting China
AuthorsTie, C., Holden, A. and Park, H.
Abstract

Using an interpretive ethnographic framework, this paper focuses on how travel to the homeland informs the identity of the Sarawakian-Chinese, a diaspora that contains a composite of subcultures. The data collection is based upon 35 semi-structured interviews and participant observation of a Sarawakian-Chinese tour group to China. Whilst emotional connections with China are universally significant in constructing the diaspora's ethnic identity, the strength of association is influenced by characteristics of
education, religion and language, as identity becomes re-defined and plural. The findings suggest that the influence of tourism to the homeland may not necessarily be significant in enhancing emotional and cultural connections with China. Instead, ambivalent connections to homeland become established during tourism experiences. Visits to the homeland could play a significant role in forging new and hybrid identities of ethnic communities outside the homeland, thereby bringing a new vital dimension to
identity formation and communication of the Sarawakian-Chinese in the future.

KeywordsDiaspora; Identity; Hybridity; Sarawakian-Chinese; Ambivalent connection to homeland; Interpretive ethnography
PublisherElsevier
JournalTourism Management
ISSN0261-5177
Electronic1879-3193
Publication dates
Online16 Oct 2014
PrintApr 2015
Publication process dates
Deposited23 Jan 2015
Accepted24 Sep 2014
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

© 2014. This author's accepted manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.09.021
Web of Science identifierWOS:000346943500021
LanguageEnglish
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