SLOW TRAVEL IN TOURISM - AN OUTLINE OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS: POTENTIAL AND LIMITS IN THE CONTEXT OF POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY

Abstract

The fast pace of life and the pressure to maximise performance, particularly in developed countries, has led to an increase in time poverty and the value of time as an intangible and irreversible commodity. The response to the rise of time poverty was the formation of the Slow Movement. Its main objective is to return to the natural pace of everyday activities and seek to gain control over its management in terms of appropriateness adapted to current individual needs. The Slow Movement sees the basic premise of a healthy society as the "slowing down" of life by creating a sustainable alternative to the mainstream culture of a consumption-driven society, fed by disproportionately increasing pressures for efficiency and performance. Slow tourism is understood in this study as a mental model based on slow travel. The review article´s main objective is to outline the conceptual frameworks of slow tourism. In this context, the study aims to identify the key attributes of the concept and the theoretical basis of slow tourism. Methodologically, we draw on a set of nine empirical studies from the pre-pandemic period. These studies were analysed and then compared with other proposed models. On their basis, we have created an overview of the differential attributes in relation to the "fast" mode of tourism products. The following discussion is based on the subjective perception of the time required to achieve the set goals of slow tourists. We understand the dichotomy of fast and slow travel within slow tourism as two complementary components necessary to achieve travel goals. Slowness is perceived attitudinally rather than behaviourally. In conclusion, the review article also highlights the limits of the concept in view of the opportunities offered in the process of post-pandemic recovery of the sector.