Diaspora and ambidextrous management of tourism in post-colonial, post-conflict and post-disaster destinations

ABSTRACT

This exploratory study aims at identifying diaspora tourism practices and at exploring its benefit in Haiti, a Carribbean island. In so doing, this research work fills both theoretical and practical gaps through the conceptualisation and operationalisation of diasporic tourism in the Caribbean. The methodological approach is mainly based on secondary data, though primary data collected from two culinary events organised by a Haitian chef from the diaspora were also considered. The findings show that diasporic tourism generate significant benefits to underperforming destinations and is considered to be more beneficial that international tourism; diaspora tourism is not seasonal; diasporans not only visit main tourist areas but also visit secondary regional sites; they consume local products and services and therefore directly support the local businesses. The members of the diaspora are seen as ambassadors of their culture and hence contribute in the marketing of the destinations. The findings also show that the future of PCCDDs tourism may be sustained using an ambidextrous management approach and in the process, it becomes a reference for developing tourism economies in under-performing destinations.

KEYWORDS:

• Diaspora tourism
• ambidextrous management
• post-colonial destinations
• Haiti

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Hugues Seraphin, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Event and Tourism Management Studies. He holds a PhD from the Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, France, and joined The University of Winchester Business School, United Kingdom, in 2012.

Maximiliano Korstanje is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Safety and Security in Tourism (Universidad de Palermo, Argentina) and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of the International Journal of Cyber Warfare and Terrorism (IGI-Global US), in addition to his role as Senior Researcher in the Department of Economics at the University of Palermo, Argentina.

Vanessa Gowreesunkar is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management University of Africa, Bayelsa State Nigeria. She teaches in the fields of tourism, management, marketing, communications, German, and other related areas.