Brinjals and drumsticks: Gendered diaspora tourism experience of Sri Lankan origin Tamils in Norway

Abstract

Sri Lanka‟s tourism sector was affected by nearly three decades of war, which ended in 2009. In the post-war context, diaspora tourism became significant; however, to date, it has not received much research focus. Aiming at filling this research gap, the present study explores the tourism-related decision making of Tamil diaspora members living in Norway. The paper examines the role of place attachment and emotion in this decision-making. The 26 years of war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forced many Tamils to leave Sri Lanka. Since the war has ended, diaspora community members in Norway have returned to visit their homeland in large numbers. The study confirms that their decision-making of tourism is highly influenced by the post-war peaceful environment, personal economic situations and, more importantly, engagement in re-establishing, renewing and strengthening place attachment. The study also shows that, by re establishing these links, the Tamil diaspora community contributes to strengthening the “diaspora Tamil” identity in both Sri Lanka and Norway. The study concludes that the end of the war has given these a space to re-negotiate their place attachment, strengthen their emotional links to their homeland and re-confirm their sense of belonging.