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Tourists’ agency versus the circle of representation

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  • Wijngaarden, Vanessa

Abstract

Tourism studies scholars have criticized but not overcome the passivity inherent in analyses of the reproduction of stereotypes in tourism encounters. Problematizing the category of viewers, I open the black box of the circle of representation as a self-reinforcing process, showing how tourists’ (re)production of images of ‘the other’ is rooted in their agency. Using Q-method and film-assisted observations embedded in ethnography, I describe how Dutch tourists reflexively ignore, interpret and mold contrasting information when they reproduce mythical Maasai imagery. This reproduction often contradicts the ‘performance’ of their hosts and is not a post-tourist phenomenon. A typology of three tourist perspectives further underlines the non-monolithical nature of these images, and how ‘the self’ is central in their active reproduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Wijngaarden, Vanessa, 2016. "Tourists’ agency versus the circle of representation," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 139-153.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:60:y:2016:i:c:p:139-153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2016.07.005
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    Cited by:

    1. Jansson, André, 2018. "Rethinking post-tourism in the age of social media," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 101-110.
    2. Codruța Adina Băltescu, 2019. "Tourist Guide Role and Performance – Element of Visiting Experience at a Tourism Destination," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 421-425, December.
    3. Höckert, Emily & Lüthje, Monika & Ilola, Heli & Stewart, Erika, 2018. "Gazes and faces in tourist photography," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 131-140.
    4. Dawei Li & Shangyi Zhou, 2021. "Evaluating the Authenticity of Naxi Music in Three Stages from the Perspective of Naxi Musicians: An Application of Lacan’s Mirror Stage Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Dan Zhu & Jiayi Wang & Meifang Wang, 2022. "Sustainable Tourism Destination Image Projection: The Inter-Influences between DMOs and Tourists," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, March.

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