Development through economic linkages: Tourism and agriculture in Indonesia

Developing countries around the world are using tourism as an agent of development and although development theory and tourism research have evolved along similar time lines since the end of World War II, there has been very little work connecting the two disciplines. This thesis addresses this lack of integration and analyzes tourism research in the context of four main development paradigms: Modernization, Dependency, Economic Neoliberalism and Alternative Development. Based on the evaluation of tourism developed under the four development paradigms and an analysis of the literature, considerations for appropriate and sustainable tourism development are proposed. It is argued that one of the important elements of appropriate and sustainable tourism development are the linkages with local communities. One of these linkages which is at the centre of this thesis are the linkages between tourism and agriculture. If the tourism sector relies on local agriculture products there will be an increased multiplier effect and the local agricultural sector and food supply network will be stimulated. The traditional high rates of leakages often associated with the tourist industry and in particular with large hotels will be reduced.;The relationship between agriculture and tourism ranges from one of conflict in the form of competition for land, labour and capital to one of symbiosis, where both sectors mutually benefit from each other. Through three detailed case studies of accommodation establishments (Aquila Prambanan--5 star in Yogyakarta, Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort--4 star in Lombok, and Peti Mas Guest House--non-star in Yogyakarta) and broader based hotel and restaurant surveys, the relationship between tourism and agriculture is explored on two islands in Indonesia. Senggigi Beach on the island of Lombok is a newly evolving tourist enclave based on sun, sand and water attractions and is located in a limited agricultural setting. The city of Yogyakarta is located 27 km inland near the centre of the island of Java which is one of the most important agricultural islands in Indonesia. Tourism in the city is well established yet continues to expand and is based on cultural and monumental attractions.;Results of the case studies and surveys found that the tourist industry in both locations places significant demands on the local agricultural sector. The high levels of leakages associated with large hotels portrayed in the literature were not found to exist. Examples of large hotels making strong linkages with the local agricultural sector and small suppliers are documented. The Sheraton on Lombok established a farming and fishing project which enhances their links to the local agricultural sector. The Aquila Prambanan and the Peti Mas in Yogyakarta both purchases a large portion of their food supply locally.;Regression analysis indicates a strong positive relationship exists between food purchasing totals and occupancy rates for large hotels with large restaurants. In both tourist destinations there are a small number of large star-hotels and a larger number of non-star hotels and restaurants. Cumulatively, the smaller establishments play just as important a role in the demand for local agricultural products as the larger establishments. As a result, a mix of accommodation sizes along with a variety of restaurants will increase the reliance on local agricultural products utilized in the tourist industry.;If successful sustainable tourism development is to occur, it must be planned in association with other sectors of the economy under the principles of sustainable development. It is important to recognize overriding development paradigms in the development process and it is argued that the Alternative Development paradigm should be relied upon more heavily than the other three paradigms in considerations for appropriate and sustainable tourism development.