Tourism impacts on the authentic culture of Taiwan and the Amis

The positive socio-cultural impacts are strengthening communities and encouraging civic involvement and traditions.

For example, Taiwan’s biggest movie, “Seediq Bale’ sparks the indigenous tourism, along the east coast of Taiwan where more than 40 Amis aboriginal tribes reside today. (Foreman, 2011) As stated in the news, "Seediq Bale" has created a surge in indigenous pride. The indigenous groups are now using their indigenous names in preference to their Chinese names for they are proud of their indigenous roots.

The director of the film, Wei Te-Sheng shared “ A friend from the Paiwan tribe is packaging a "no electricity tour"; visitors can have a deeper cultural experience, connecting with the landscape, hunting at night, learning survival skills and living in the same conditions experienced by the indigenous people.” (Foreman, 2011) Indeed, the information is accurate when the bureau’s administration office of the East Coast National Scenic Area said that the movie has revived interest in the island’s aboriginal culture (Taiwan News, 2011) and aboriginal people to contribute to society more directly. (Foreman, 2011)

The negative socio-cultural impact is conflicts with traditional land-uses. As mentioned in Taipei Times, Amis representative Konon Panay said the central government did not define and grant Aboriginal lands, instead it has been depriving Aborigines of their lands in the name of development. (Chang, 2011)

The Eastern Development Act was approved in June by the legislature and aims to develop land in Hualien and Taitung counties, allowing big developers to destroy land traditionally owned by Aborigines and threatening to ruin the lives of Amis Aborigines, Panay said. (Chang, 2011)

The government of Taiwan has taken steps to sustain the culture of indigenous groups. For instance, the island government spends 1.5 billion Taiwan dollars (51 million US dollars) per year on preservation of the indigenous culture. Taiwan government agencies aim to establish an autonomous village, to open as early December, where Thao language and ceremonies can flourish without outside influence. They have officials plan to step up language preservation work and develop a law to strengthen tribal rights over ancestral land. They also sponsored art and architecture classes for children. (Jennings, 2011)