<特集 ヴァナキュラー・ツーリズムからみる南アジア --宗教・聖地・観光-- > テーマパークにおけるテーマ性のゆらぎとヴァナキュラーなもの --現代インドの事例を中心に--

Abstract

In researching theme parks, we often come across cases that force us to rethink the definition of a theme park. This has to do with the fact that in the process of parks changing the facilities and appearance of their parks in response to the needs of visitors, the consistency of the theme is shaken, either by design or as a result. Aren't theme parks, by their very nature, entertainment tourism facilities where there should be a unifying theme? Certainly, Disneyland in the USA was and is a theme park with a consistent theme based on Waltism. However, there are cases where thematic consistency breaks down, as in the case of Tokyo Disney Resort's abandonment of thoroughgoing Waltism-based theming. This paper focuses on the case of “India's first Disney-style theme park, ” which, like Tokyo Disney Resort, has experienced a breakdown in thematic consistency. In general, theme park attractions with a strong edutainment orientation tend to be covered with monumental themes that symbolize nationalism, just like museum exhibits. However, when the needs of visitors are given priority, vernacular elements that have nothing to do with nationalism must be introduced gradually. This paper suggests that such a visitor-first policy, which leading to the introduction of vernacular, may have shaken the thematic coherence of the theme park.