Visual Critiques of Tourist Development: Host-Employed Photography in Vietnam

Abstract

A considerable amount of research within tourism studies has been undertaken into the desires, motivations and behaviours of tourists, yet resident perspectives on tourism have been largely overlooked. Moreover, there remains a discernable lack of research that harnesses creative methods that acknowledge the downplayed gaze of the host, particularly in the developing world. This paper pushes this agenda forward by using host-employed photography (HEP) to examine perspectives on, and experiences of, tourism development in Hue, Central Vietnam. The paper argues that until methods such as HEP and video are more widely engaged, the needs and priorities of host communities will remain behind the lens cap.

Key Words:

• Host
• photography
• visual methods
• tourism development
• destination image
• Hue
• Vietnam
• Asia

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the British Academy for the funding on which this research was based (PDF 2008/86). Thanks also go to Katie Willis and Michael Parnwell for comments on the paper.