Tango, the Undiscovered Finnish Tourism Asset
Burzachechi, Sol Lilen; Loughhead, Myles (2023)
Burzachechi, Sol Lilen
Loughhead, Myles
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023061323735
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023061323735
Tiivistelmä
Culture is a complex and multidimensional concept that has been studied extensively in various disciplines. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized the im-portance of intangible culture, defining the responsibilities of the State Members. In 2018, the UNESCO emphasizes the synergy between tourism and culture, and so understanding the intangible elements of culture is crucial for developing sustainable and responsible tourism practices while protecting cultural heritage. The tourism industry has shifted towards experience-based services and products. While understanding the relationship of culture with authenticity, tourism, and meaningful experiences, cultural tourism becomes arguably one of the most optimal tourism practices to develop to succeed, create a profitable business, and protect and safeguard intangible cultural heritage.
The case which is analysed under the concept mentioned is the Finnish tango. Finnish tango is a distinct representation of Finnish culture that blends traditional Finnish practices with the emotional intensity of Argentine tango. The objective of this research was to identify what aspects of Finnish tango make it suit-able for further development as a cultural and tourism asset. First, a theoretical framework was studied, following with the implementation of qualitative case study approach, using in-depth interviews with Finnish tango experts and observations of the Finnish tango landscape in the present. Results were formed using thematic analysis, discovering several themes relating to stakeholder perspective of tango within the Finnish context.
The conclusions arrived at are there is a reduced interest in Finnish tango in its current context. Strengths of Finish tango are in its historic societal importance, accessibility through its ease of learning and per-forming, the desire to dance with a partner, the physicality, and the intimacy derived from Finnish tango, the desire of stakeholders to collaborate and work within the community, and its strength as a tourism experience. Opportunities for development include the use of storytelling to market Finnish tango and its authenticity, the inclusion of Finnish tango in the UNESCO intangible heritage list, development of Finnish tango as a packaged experience similar to Argentinean tango, and the inclusion of Finnish tango in the public education system. There is also a need to acknowledge language barriers and the need for instruc-tion and marketing in English, as well as exporting Finnish tango as a tourism asset. These aspects provide context for further development and advocation of Finnish tango as an undiscovered tourism asset. The study has significant relevance for the field of cultural tourism, as it contributes to the understanding of Finnish tango as a potential tourism experience.
The case which is analysed under the concept mentioned is the Finnish tango. Finnish tango is a distinct representation of Finnish culture that blends traditional Finnish practices with the emotional intensity of Argentine tango. The objective of this research was to identify what aspects of Finnish tango make it suit-able for further development as a cultural and tourism asset. First, a theoretical framework was studied, following with the implementation of qualitative case study approach, using in-depth interviews with Finnish tango experts and observations of the Finnish tango landscape in the present. Results were formed using thematic analysis, discovering several themes relating to stakeholder perspective of tango within the Finnish context.
The conclusions arrived at are there is a reduced interest in Finnish tango in its current context. Strengths of Finish tango are in its historic societal importance, accessibility through its ease of learning and per-forming, the desire to dance with a partner, the physicality, and the intimacy derived from Finnish tango, the desire of stakeholders to collaborate and work within the community, and its strength as a tourism experience. Opportunities for development include the use of storytelling to market Finnish tango and its authenticity, the inclusion of Finnish tango in the UNESCO intangible heritage list, development of Finnish tango as a packaged experience similar to Argentinean tango, and the inclusion of Finnish tango in the public education system. There is also a need to acknowledge language barriers and the need for instruc-tion and marketing in English, as well as exporting Finnish tango as a tourism asset. These aspects provide context for further development and advocation of Finnish tango as an undiscovered tourism asset. The study has significant relevance for the field of cultural tourism, as it contributes to the understanding of Finnish tango as a potential tourism experience.