2005 article explores ethical issues in World Heritage research

What is it about?

This article is broadly concerned with the unique ethical quandaries anthropologists face when conducting research in touristic milieus, as well as the ethical dilemmas that ensue once we have left the field and are engaged in constructing theoretically informed portraits of the communities we researched. Specifically, drawing on experiences in two contrasting Indonesian field settings (Tana Toraja and Alor), I explore the ways in which contemporary anthropological theories about culture, identity, and identity politics can collide with local perceptions and local tourismgenerating aspirations, placing researchers in potentially problematic ethical terrain. Key words: ethics, tourism, Indonesia, identity politics, Toraja, Alor

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Why is it important?

This article addresses the seldom explored (as of 2005) ethical issues in tourism research (especially in heritage sites).