Challenges in Safeguarding Traditional Festivals Facing Tourism Pressure

Abstract

This chapter reports on the findings of a study that investigated the challenges in safeguarding two of Macao's and China's nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage festivals which are facing tourism pressures, namely 1) Macao Feast of the Drunken Dragon and the Lion Dance Gala and 2) The Beliefs and Customs of Na Tcha. Based on the findings, some recommendations are formulated that adopt a community-based approach to safeguard traditional festivals. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with festival organizers and volunteers who empathize with the values of the traditional festival customs and their related cultural spaces.