Diasporum And Tourism: The Study Of Diaspora Tourism

2.1 Introduction

The tourism industry is one of the largest and most diverse industries. Numerous destinations depend on tourism as a generator of incomes, employment, infrastructure development and the tourism sector has been the leading source of foreign exchange of 83% (Migration Policy Institute, 2011). The industry has faced endless growth and has become one of the principal productive players in the world.

The reasons for people to travel are very complex and broad. As of late, travellers are visiting different places all across the globe, allowing many countries to experience steady growth in tourism. Changes in demand in the tourism industry have enabled the advancement of technology and transport systems. Likewise, this increase of

3) “Diasporas are groups of people scattered across the world but drawn together as a community by their actual (and in some cases perceived or imagined) common bonds of ethnicity, culture, religion, national identity and sometimes, race”. At hand, there is a sizeable amount of literature on diaspora. The connection between diaspora and tourism is viewed as too great extent incoherent by many researchers (Cole & Timothy, 2004). This is partly due to definitional problems, and the author will focus on this because of the complexity and importance regarding the study of diaspora travel. Therefore, this paper will give an insight into diaspora tourism; the author will undertake research by three focus groups and one semi- structured interview, the aim and objective of this study is to contribute to the development of the topic which is already undertaken by other academics that have focused in this area. Furthermore, this study will explore and investigate the motivation for diaspora travel, the economic importance of diaspora tourism and will then look at Nigerian diaspora in

Examining the Commonwealth Eastern Caribbean Diaspora in Toronto, Canada, Duval (2003) illustrates the importance of maintaining a connection to the Caribbean. The study emphasises that return visits play an essential role in the lives of migrants. Also, the study by Scheyvens (2007) in Samoa confirmed that diaspora tourism renews social and cultural ties between extended families and community groups. Therefore, tourists nowadays return home to either re-familiarize themselves with their culture or to seek for their cultural identity. According to other views, diaspora’s motivation is based on social interaction. Diasporas travellers are motivated by the need to interact and be accepted by other humans. As to Laksai (2013) the idea of social interaction is a form of reconnecting and visiting familiar places. Moscordo et al. (2000) agrees suggesting that social interaction can be a primary motive to travel. In saying that, it includes diaspora groups participating in activities and visiting local attractions. Duval (2004) assumes that these individuals tend to make return visits as a ‘transnational exercise’ to keep up and strengthen their identities and ‘social relationship’ Likewise, transnational communities occur within diaspora groups. Furthermore, for