Tourism Identity Research Articles

Producing the post‐postmodern flâneur: An assemblage analysis of Macau's Cotai Strip

Macau, an internationally renowned gambling city, has experienced rapid growth in casino space expansion and tourism since 2002 when the new Macau SAR government liberalised gambling. Despite the impact of COVID‐19 on the city's economy over the past three years, infrastructure construction and remodelling of casino resorts continue. This study focuses on the spatial production of casino resorts and tourist identity in Macau's Cotai Strip. Methodologically, the study conducts an assemblage analysis to interpret the data collected mainly through participant observation and in‐depth interviews. The research findings show that the Cotai Strip homogenises the human and non‐human elements through the repetitive rhythms of buildings and multi‐tiered enclosed territorialisation. The identity of Macau casino tourists emerges from their interactions with other components within the Strip assemblage. The emerging identity is defined as a post‐postmodern flâneur, characterised by their programmed and controlled tourist activities and their intensified visual sensations and photographic gazes.

Touristic Identity and the Valorification of the Authentic Touristic Resources, in Rural Communities from Maramureș

Touristic Identity and the Valorification of the Authentic Touristic Resources, in Rural Communities from Maramureș

Environmental factors influencing the competitiveness of the regional tourism and recreation sphere

The article emphasizes the significant role of environmental factors in the development of sustainable tourism. The essence of the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sphere in the context of the environmental component is determined. The purpose of the article is to determine the environmental factors influencing the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sphere of the region, evaluate them from the point of view of manageability, and determine the prerequisites for ensuring the sustainable development of the region. The main elements influencing the ecological stability of the tourism and recreation sphere are substantiated. Groups of managed and unmanaged environmental factors influencing the competitiveness of tourism and recreation are identified. The assessment of the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sphere of the regions of Ukraine is based on the general methodological approaches used in the calculation of the travel and tourism competitiveness indices (The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, TTCI). An algorithm and environmental indicators are defined. The results of the assessment of the impact of environmental factors on the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sphere are presented. The article points out that in the conditions of the war and the post-war period, the assessment of the impact of environmental factors and the forecasting of their consequences on the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sphere of the region is complicated by the need to carry it out from different positions: damage to natural resources and ecosystems; environmental pollution; loss of biodiversity; reconstruction of tourist identity. The following methods and strategies are proposed to contribute to the achievement of ecological development of the tourism and recreation industry: ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources; using environmentally friendly technologies and materials in hotels and other tourist infrastructure; developing ecotourism and other forms of tourism that contribute to the preservation of the natural environment and draw attention to environmental issues; applying the system of ecosystem restoration and waste minimization; developing ecological management of tourism; conducting environmental education among the local population and tourists.

A Phenomenological Analysis of Tourist Identity: Three Theses and Propositions

There is a dearth of narrative research related to “tourist identity” in leisure and tourism studies. In this review paper, we identify this research gap upon performing a systematic review of articles in leisure and tourism studies published on the SCOPUS database in the last four decades (1979-2021). We furnish three theses based on the prevalent research gap and offer three propositions that foreground the questions of identity. We argue that leisure and tourism studies focus more on the collective and the ethnic – to pit the collective Self against the collective Other, while discounting the personal and the phenomenological. We insist that leisure and tourism studies must engage with a wide range of traveling practices outside of the tourist experiences, and integrate more non-conventional sources (e.g. photography and narrative autoethnography) and non-Western approaches. Among other things, this will help dismantle the White logic prevalent in, and thus decolonize the field.

The effects of perceived destination restorative qualities on tourists’ self-identity: A tale of two destinations

Isolation and anomie caused by the modern life has created multiple identity threats. Tourists’ destination experience has long been considered as a unique way of identity construction. However, little research has investigated whether and how environmental restoration qualities in the tourism context can possibly reinforce self-identity and counteract the effect of identity confusion. Guided by the Attention Restoration Theory, this study aims to develop and test a model to examine the relationships between the dimensions of perceived destination restorative qualities (PDRQs) and tourist self-identity with two tourist samples in China collected in two distinctive destinations (Sample 1, n = 361; Sample 2, n = 323). Results show that in both samples, the PDRQs dimensions of compatibility and mentally-away positively contributed to self-identity, while the dimension of physically-away had no significant effect on self-identity. In addition, the dimensions of extent and fascination had differentiated effects on self-identity across the two samples. This study provides empirical evidence to show that destinations have the potential to promote tourist identity reconstruction.

Tourismification narratives and the ‘Transformative turn’ in tourism. An analysis derived from the Spanish press debate on the Barcelona tourism model

This article analyses the content of 2742 news items on tourismification and tourism-phobia in Barcelona published in the Spanish press between 2008 and 2020. Based on Foucault’s theoretical approach to the study of discourse and applying a content analysis method, the social construction of a tourism model is critically analysed through the examination of tourismification narratives. The dominant discourse on tourismification expressed by the Spanish press is organised into the following three narrative axes: the use of a local community point of view to highlight mass tourism as a contested social issue, governance as a solution for tourismification within the framework of the debate about the city’s tourist identity and the use of tourism-phobia as a formula for politicisation of the discourse on tourism, to influence public opinion and develop power relations. The press discourse proposes a narrative that incorporates a critical reading of tourism in place of the previous growth-based discourse. However, while this discourse advocates for tourism as an invariable, necessary and strategic element of the city, even during episodes of extreme tourism crisis, it fights shy of alternative approaches that call for a ‘transformative turn’ in tourism.

The identity construction of Chinese anime pilgrims

Anime pilgrimage is a form of tourism induced by a popular culture, the anime culture. To better understand contemporary cultural consumption, this exploratory research studies the tourist identity construction of Chinese anime pilgrims and the role played by cultural context in it. Following an interpretive methodology, this paper illustrates the process of an individual to construct the identity as an anime pilgrim. This research distinguishes four different identity levels of anime pilgrims, including a unique fantasized identity as the anime me. The findings also proposed an identity model showing that the identity construction of Chinese anime pilgrims goes through the processes of compliance, identification, internalization and individualization.

Tourism and reconciliation in an enduring rivalry: The case of Kartarpur Corridor on India–Pakistan border

This study aims to position the role of the Kartarpur corridor, a unique collaborative visa-free setting situated on the international border between Pakistan and India, as an interactional performative platform between tourists from both of the countries within the theoretical streams of tourism-peace studies. Classical grounded theory approach was considered that involved interviews from Pakistani and Indian tourists and service personnel in the Kartarpur setting. The findings add to the discursive discourses on the relevance of the contact-hypothesis in the debate surrounding the tourism-peace nexus within the novel setting of Kartarpur. Further, it evidences the evolving role of geo-political discourses in tourist encounters and signifies the relevance of memory-heritagization in relation to reconciliation tourism. It steers the debate towards relatively underutilized discourse of tourist identity as a pivotal tenet in the tourism-peace connection. The findings offer implications for the policy makers, practitioners and destination marketing organizations of divided nations.

A identidade do turista e o consumo colaborativo


 
 
 
 Por meio de plataformas digitais, o consumo colaborativo possibilita o acesso a diversos produtos e serviços, assumindo papel essencial na construção de identidades. Ao ampliar a participação dos indivíduos nas escolhas de suas viagens e permitir o contato direto entre os usuários, essa forma de consumo tem conseguido adesão de pessoas em busca de alternativas no mercado turístico, e dado espaço para o discurso anti-turista, direcionado para consumidores que procuram se distanciar do turismo tradicional, geralmente de massa. Compreendendo que os consumidores atuam na propagação de discursos e imagens sobre um serviço ou destino, bem como na construção de sua identidade de consumo, buscou-se entender como os usuários do Airbnb interpretam as mensagens apresentadas pela plataforma e as relacionam com a sua identidade de turista (tradicional) ou viajante (anti-turista). Os resultados deste estudo, de natureza qualitativa, obtidos a partir da análise dos dados gerados por entrevistas semiestruturadas, indicam que os respondentes se indetificam mais com a proposta dos serviços oferecidos pela plataforma do que com a ideia do ser turista ou viajante. Com interesses semelhantes, os usuários revelam possuir características de consumo comuns aos dois perfis de consumidores, variando conforme o tipo de viagem que cada um realiza.
 
 
 

Ethnic Tourism as Knowing Other

The article is dedicated to considering ethnic tourism in its importance to comprehend modern cultures that are Others to the traveler's experience. In this regard, ethnic tourism is presented from the Other's cognition, i.e., the way of life of a nation, its religious and ethnic values and traditions, historical past and legends, and geographical specificity of residence. Thus, the meaning of ethnic tourism is related to the human desire to discover other cultural and social spaces. Simultaneously, the article shows how another culture's perception affects the awareness of a tourist's identity. The author notes that ethnic tourism aims at fixing the distinctive features and specifics of people's life. Therefore, this type of tourism is most conducive to forming images and perceptions of ethnic and cultural diversity. The author substantiates the role of ethnic tourism to establish a dialogue of cultures in the modern world. Distinctive features of globalization, particularly travelers' continuous mobility, the conversation of ethnic groups, and the value-based mutual enrichment of peoples, have been deduced. Some theoretical approaches of Russian philosophers to the study of ethnic tourism are defined. The researcher emphasizes the idea of a correlation between ethnic cultures and religions. In this regard, early Christianity's theological ideas are conditioned in terms of their impact on the subsequent formation of pilgrimages and the modern religious tourism organization. The contemporary unity of ethnic culture and religiosity is vividly manifested in the uniqueness of the Old Believers' tradition of the Kerzhak resettlers living in the Altai Mountains. The article concludes that ethnicity should be acknowledged in any tourism organization, especially religious and pilgrimage types.

Increasing tourism competitiveness: Connecting Blue and Green Croatia

The objective of this article is to identify if unique local food and local cuisine in some regions can be used as a marketing tool to attract visitors to a destination and increase its competitiveness. This article focuses on establishing success criteria for cooperation between companies from so-called blue (Coastal) and so-called green (Continental Eastern) Croatia for increasing competitiveness of tourism destination. To gain insight into the most important trends in connecting blue and green Croatia, primary research was conducted on identification preferences referring to how high-quality products carry a strong tourist identity of green Croatia. For the purpose of a survey, the authors used a sample of 134 industry experts involved in developing tourism products through formal or informal activities. The first level of research was to explore consumer interrelation based on the frequency of using domestic and foreign products. In the second part, respondents were invited to express a degree of agreement with certain statements. The results indicated that there is statistical significance between the female sex and information on the origin of products, raw materials, and foodstuffs and recipes (education) for the preparation of a product. The paper makes a recommendation on how small and medium-size producers can increase their competitiveness and have better sales results and at the same time give policy recommendations to local and regional governments. As recommendations for further research, we propose to examine a) the economic impact at the national level; and b) the economic impact of programs aimed at connecting blue and green Croatia on both included parts.

직장인의 관광정체성과 관광태도가 삶의 의미에 미치는 영향: 행복지향성의 매개효과를 중심으로

직장인의 관광정체성과 관광태도가 삶의 의미에 미치는 영향: 행복지향성의 매개효과를 중심으로

Las costas, regiones de desarrollo del turismo

The coasts have become favorite spaces for tourist activities, this has caused modifications in the natural environment generating unsustainable damages in maritime and terrestrial spaces in the destinations, to satisfy an increasing demand of visitors, who increasingly require new satisfiers. Therefore, the activities must be regulated for their proper use. This dynamic has generated an increase in new residents attracted by employ‑ ment benefits or by second residence, a new type of tourism that makes beach places their “home” temporarily. Local people receive unfair benefits of tourism such as employment, expanding public services, and the genera‑ tion of wealth, but also the negative effects as general environmental degradation, loss of identity and traditions, as well as their social spaces, which must be shared with tourists. For this reason, local communities seek the cultural preservation of their popular festivals, among others. We present in this volume, work that analyze the configuration of tourism in coastal spaces, how the public, private and cooperative initiatives are built. Also, about the construction of their tourist identity from representative images, the role of science and sustainable planning based on tourists and local inhabitants’ perception of economic and socio-cultural capacities. These al‑ low an approximation to the reality of coastal areas based on tourism, the challenges they face in planning and operation, the living conditions of local populations and the natural environment, but also the opportunities it offers for the development and well-being of the local population when sustainable processes are carried out.

Leveraging support for conservation from ecotourists: can relational values play a role?

Costa Rica is a global ecotourism destination, yet tourism growth has contributed to conflicts over water use. Given the potential for tourism revenue to address important environmental challenges, this study examined factors that influence financial support for conservation, evaluating the role of relational values both as an independent measure and comparing how tourists respond to “relational” program design features (where a personal connection is emphasized) to those without. A survey (n = 263) with a choice experiment revealed that tourists were willing to contribute US$18–52 to conservation depending on who administers the program, what it supported (water-related programs or biodiversity conservation), and where funds were allocated. Locally run programs at visited sites were most preferred, receiving the largest contributions. A mixed logit model analyzed the relationship between tourist identity, knowledge of a regional drought, values, and conservation preferences from the choice model. Relational elements, such as identifying as an ecotourist, led to larger contributions and were significantly and positively correlated with strong environmental values. The ecological motivation of many tourists to this area suggests that emphasizing relationships between nature and people may encourage conservation contributions, while providing opportunities to increase tourist awareness of the impact of their travel.

Conceptualizing vacation dedication

ABSTRACT To better understand and predict tourism demand, we introduce the concept of vacation dedication to the tourism literature. Vacation dedication is a form of enthusiasm for and devotion to going on vacation. It is an enduring urge to go on a vacation that is so strong that it persists in spite of external constraints. We empirically test its links to the well-established constructs of travel involvement, commitment, and tourist identity. Affective commitment emerges as most strongly associated with vacation dedication, pointing to an important emotional component.

A COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATIVENESS IN THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF A TOURIST DESTINATION

Competitiveness together with innovation are printed on all components of a tourist destination, from the tourist product to the elements of attraction, infrastructure, entertainment, human resources, image and character, not forgetting the price that can launch or restrict it on a dynamic tourist market where quality overtakes in recent years and meets dynamic tourist demand. This article aims to analyze the two imperative components in the sustainable functionality of a tourist destination, inseparable binomial, competitiveness and innovation as the only viable ways of halting the decline in the lifecycle of a tourist destination Oltenia. The article also attempts to apply for the Oltenia region the criteria for denominate a tourist destination in the optics of regional competitiveness and more, a tourist destination which is unfortunately currently not competitive, although it has the necessary parameters for identifying competitiveness (natural and cultural resources, customs and traditions, unique local products, tourist identity, etc.). Through specific geographical methods (diagnosis, prospective, documentary, graphical representation, and also Butler's TALC model) the article sets out a complex theoretical and methodological framework, with factual determinations in promoting the destination Oltenia as a destination of excellence in Romania (The Danube Gorge may be considered as the region's visiting card, being thus awarded the title of "European Destination of Excellence" in 2008).

Identity of a tourism destination and the need of linking it to the principles of sustainable tourism development

The article considers the modern conditions influence of world development, which are characterized by a high degree of uncertainty and rapid technological progress on the tourism activity dynamics and the need to find a new business models for competitiveness ensuring and sustainable development in the tourism sector. The concepts of “tourist identity of location”, “tourist attractiveness of territory” are clarified and expanded. The main factors affecting the correlation between the tourist identity of the destination and tourism sustainable development, in accordance with the M. Lindstrom “Manifesto of the Seven Pillars”, who fully discloses the marketing approach to formation and diversification of tourist product, are considered and analyzed. It is determined that the main factor for the formation and maintenance of the tourist identity of each direction is the physical environment ‒ nature, infrastructure and superstructure, with their respective specific characteristics, as well as history and culture, lifestyle, traditions and beliefs, creative and innovative views of population. The study is based on the idea that the individuality of each tourist destination is a prerequisite for observing the principles of sustainable development and neutralizing the negative consequences arising through the application of marketing approaches to ensure better interaction between the demand and supply of tourism services. Based on the study, it was concluded that the limited capacity of tourism resources, on the one hand, and the growing need of the world’s population for active participation in tourist trips, on the other hand, require actions by parties interested in the tourism business at different levels for resources conserve providing of quality services.

Who's on the tourists' menu? Exploring the social significance of restaurant experiences for tourists

Taking a Consumer Culture Perspective, this paper explores the co-production of meaning among participants in tourists' restaurant experiences. Responding to criticisms that interpreting consumer behaviour should focus both on the individual and also on the collective context of consumption (Askegaard and Linnet, 2011), our research explores the social significance of these experiences and how they feed into the tourist's identity project. 34 ethnographic interviews are led with a view to exploring how tourists co-produce meaning within their group and also with staff and other patrons in the context of restaurant experience and these are followed up with a further 57 semi-structured interviews. Restaurant experiences are shown to be both rich and complex in social meanings. Thematic analysis leads to the identification and discussion regarding four contexts where social meanings are co-produced, namely sharing experiences, family togetherness and transmission, cultural guidance and customer-to-customer interaction.

ВОЕННО-ИСТОРИЧЕСКАЯ РЕКОНСТРУКЦИЯ КАК СОЦИОКУЛЬТУРНЫЙ ФЕНОМЕН И СРЕДСТВО ПАТРИОТИЧЕСКОГО ВОСПИТАНИЯ СТУДЕНЧЕСКОЙ МОЛОДЕЖИ

The article discusses the military-historical reconstruction as a form of tourist study of local lore and a means of Patriotic upbringing of students. This social phenomenon has a significant potential from the point of view of spiritual and moral development of a student’s personality, because it brings together the most significant components of these processes: cognitive, moral, spiritual, emotional and activity components, corresponding to selected stages, which are selected by authors, of formation of Patriotic consciousness of the student youth as spiritually-moral qualities of students’ personality. Historical reconstruction, which is researched in the context of a tourist study of local lore, expands the boundaries of tourism as object of activity and science. The object of the research in tourist study of local lore is the native land, with its geographical, economic, historical and cultural characteristics through the lens of the tourist identity. In the process of participation in the historical reconstruction as a form of regional activities students produce and accumulate knowledge of the history and culture of their native land; this activity contributes to the formation of such basic values as love for the native land, interest in its history and culture, which ultimately contributes to young people's ethnic and cultural identity, Patriotic consciousness and desire to know their native land. Military-historical reconstruction is the form of tourist study of local lore, which reflects the characteristics of local history as an integral system functioning in the world of three-dimensional models generated by space components, time and society

Tourism diversification process around trail running in the Pays of Allevard (Isère)

ABSTRACTThe objective of this paper is to analyze the actors’ interactions around this tourism diversification process based on outdoor sports, and in particular trail running, in the Pays of Allevard. To understand the tourism diversification process, it is necessary to analyze the way the local actors use the sport, take ownership of it, and transform it according to their interests, in particular to make it a tourism resource. The results show that the actors supporting the diversification project all practice the sport in question, and therefore have an interest in its development. Thus, trail running was considered as a godsend by certain economic actors, enabling them to offer new services. Sport therefore becomes an economic resource, but also a communication and territorial marketing tool when the objective is to rejuvenate the image of the territory. However, certain local elected officials question the relevance of this diversification project, whose economic impacts remain difficult to quantify. Moreover, this opposition to the development of a new sports activity within the destination illustrates the resonance of traditionalism with respect to the management of a territory. And disagreements concerning the positioning to be adopted make it difficult to construct a tourist identity for the destination.