Critical discourse analysis and the questioning of dominant, hegemonic discourses of sustainable tourism in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa
Affiliation
University of Chester; University of LiverpoolPublication Date
2019-01-14
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The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how critical discourse analysis (CDA), an under-utilised methodological approach, can be used to critically question the dominant, hegemonic discourses surrounding sustainable development and sustainable tourism development. The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in South Africa provides the study context. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide the framework for review, sustainable development an integral part of this framework. This research study examines three SDGs in particular: discourses surrounding SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 15 (life on land). Interviews (n=35) were conducted, in South Africa, with multiple stakeholder groups. CDA techniques were applied to data analysis to examine the sustainable development/sustainable tourism discourses attached to the SDGs under review. Neoliberal discourses linked to the economy, the environment, and a sustaining of the tourism industry through top-down planning and unequal power distributions emerged. Conclusions reflect both upon the opportunities utilising a tool such as CDA presents, along with the limitations to take account of in applying it. CDA applications which explore SDGs by listening to the voices of the poor are suggested as one avenue for further research.Citation
Lyon, A. & Hunter-Jones, P. (2019). Critical discourse analysis and the questioning of dominant, hegemonic discourses of sustainable tourism in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 27(7), 974-991.Publisher
Taylor & FrancisJournal
Journal of Sustainable TourismAdditional Links
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09669582.2018.1551896Type
ArticleLanguage
enDescription
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Sustainable Tourism on 14th January 2019, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2018.1551896ISSN
0966-9582EISSN
1747-7646ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1080/09669582.2018.1551896
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/