SCIENCE TOURISM. ABOUT THE ORIGINS AND SCOPE OF THE PHENOMENA

Abstract

Purpose. Critical analysis of the “science tourism” concept described in Polish and foreign scientific literature on tourism, a overview and description of its phenomenon and to point out the place of science tourism within the general typology of tourism. Method. Analysis of scientific works and likewise information and data from institutions offering science tourism tourist attractions. Synthesis and systematization of final findings/results. Findings. Science tourism (knowledge and science tourism) means travels to get to know, to experience and practise as well as and encounter its results. In contrast to the prevalent economical approach, the proposed definition represents a functional approach and negates consideration of professional and business travels as tourism. Origins of science tourism reach the 19th century world exhibitions. Nowadays, knowledge and science tourism are used for the popularization of knowledge and scientific inventions and not only in the high-tech industry. They provide the opportunity to get to know the history of science, significant researchers and investigators and also places where “science” is created and inventions take place. Research and conclusion limitations. In our opinion, science tourism (knowledge and science tourism) significantly differs from the common definition/understanding of this term in the analysed scientific literature. Practical implications. Understanding and organizing issues related to science tourism in discussion about the ambiguous and questionable phenomenon. An introduction to further quantitative and qualitative analysis. Originality. The paper is an attempt to order knowledge of science tourism in foreign and Polish scientific literature, to propose other definitions anchored in the functional approach, which eliminates most doubts appearing within the economical and statistical approaches. Type of paper. Theoretical, critical, review.