handover, and have been interested in producing “text” to describe their people and place. In this vein, language not only reflects our reality, but also speaks of “us” and of “others” (Bathes 1973, Fairclough 1995, 2011). Hence, the produced tourism “text” in Hong Kong and Macau arguably contributes to defining “us” in contrast with “others” – a national myth-making process (Smith 2009, Saurp 1996). To further understand further this national myth-making process, the next section focuses on discussing cultural selection and boundary-making. 8.6.2 Cultural selection and boundary-making In discussing representation, difference and power, themes related to cultural selection and boundary-making have been implicitly discussed. To emphasise the importance of these two themes, this sub-section specifically highlights their influence in relation to the last research objective. Hence, understanding how myth-making in tourism promotion influences national myth-making is the key. Although it is impossible to find a contemporary nation with absolute homogeneity, the of a nation always tries to create a sense of unity out of diversity; to create such unity, defining boundaries through selecting cultural symbols has become the key (Hutchison 2005, Smith 2009, Walker 2001). This key idea can arguably be realised through tourism promotion, as shown below: Figure 8.4: The Peak (The Peak 2012) Figure 8.4 presents a visual representation of the Peak within its on-site tourism promotional material. While the Peak was a colonial symbol, and the Chinese were excluded from the Peak before the Second World War (Carroll 2007), the absence of a Western citizen sitting in the sedan chair connotes a sense of “factual” representation rather than any anti-colonial feeling. As history is open for interpretation, the understanding of the Peak as a negative colonial symbol has been transformed into a nostalgic feeling towards British rule. As Tad (Hong Kong, tourism marketing expert) explained: I think the Peak is the identity of Hong Kong, you can have the panoramic view of Hong Kong. You can see the buildings, the harbour, the greenery. Because the Peak is also strongly associated with the tram, which must be a hundred something years old. That is probably one of the earliest transportations by the British community. Still a very popular transportation now among the tourists. Before it was an important vehicle for the local community. The
handover, and have been interested in producing “text” to describe their people and place. In this vein, language not only reflects our reality, but also speaks of “us” and of “others” (Bathes 1973, Fairclough 1995, 2011). Hence, the produced tourism “text” in Hong Kong and Macau arguably contributes to defining “us” in contrast with “others” – a national myth-making process (Smith 2009, Saurp 1996). To further understand further this national myth-making process, the next section focuses on discussing cultural selection and boundary-making. 8.6.2 Cultural selection and boundary-making In discussing representation, difference and power, themes related to cultural selection and boundary-making have been implicitly discussed. To emphasise the importance of these two themes, this sub-section specifically highlights their influence in relation to the last research objective. Hence, understanding how myth-making in tourism promotion influences national myth-making is the key. Although it is impossible to find a contemporary nation with absolute homogeneity, the of a nation always tries to create a sense of unity out of diversity; to create such unity, defining boundaries through selecting cultural symbols has become the key (Hutchison 2005, Smith 2009, Walker 2001). This key idea can arguably be realised through tourism promotion, as shown below: Figure 8.4: The Peak (The Peak 2012) Figure 8.4 presents a visual representation of the Peak within its on-site tourism promotional material. While the Peak was a colonial symbol, and the Chinese were excluded from the Peak before the Second World War (Carroll 2007), the absence of a Western citizen sitting in the sedan chair connotes a sense of “factual” representation rather than any anti-colonial feeling. As history is open for interpretation, the understanding of the Peak as a negative colonial symbol has been transformed into a nostalgic feeling towards British rule. As Tad (Hong Kong, tourism marketing expert) explained: I think the Peak is the identity of Hong Kong, you can have the panoramic view of Hong Kong. You can see the buildings, the harbour, the greenery. Because the Peak is also strongly associated with the tram, which must be a hundred something years old. That is probably one of the earliest transportations by the British community. Still a very popular transportation now among the tourists. Before it was an important vehicle for the local community. The
Final%20Carol%20ZHANG%20National%20Myth%20and%20Tourism%20Marketing-%20after%20viva.docx