Quality Tourism Experiences

Gayle Jennings, Norma Nickerson

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2006
• eBook ISBN: 9781136370212
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Industry
• Index: Business

The theme of the edited book acknowledges the multiple meanings of quality tourism experiences, the diverse contexts in which tourism occurs, and the varied stakeholders associated directly or indirectly with the phenomenon of tourism. "Quality tourism experiences" is a widely used phrase in tourism and tourism-related texts and is associated with a diversity of meanings and usage. Meanings are ascribed by industry/business, government agencies, tourists, community and academics. The phrase is used to argue, for example, for positive social impacts, economic benefits, environmental protection, government policy formulation, discrimination between tourism products as well as issues associated with sustainability. Subsequently, the phrase "quality tourism experiences" is not a nomothetic term but rather one associated with multiple interpretations and meanings. The book"s overarching tenet is that "quality" is a socially constructed term (as are the terms tourism experiences). Authors investigate the role of the mass media, the role of travel providers, the role of host communities, the role of tourists, and the role of "government" at all its levels. From an academic perspective, quality tourism experiences are associated with interaction between host and guest (tourists and community perspectives), the classification of type of tourism product (tourism industry and government sector perspectives), market differentiation and development, tourist perspectives, the notion of an integrated system and benefits from an economic perspective. Similarly, quality is associated with different meanings and is used in a variety of contexts within tourism literature. For example quality is associated with service quality, quality assurance/auditing and control, perceptions of quality at an individual/business/community level, that is, stakeholder level, and in regard to product and market differentiation. The book draws together writers from different backgrounds and interdisciplinary interests and research methodologies, as a consequence, the book provides a model of the way researchers can work together to illuminate an area and to provide multiple representations and interpretations of that area. Moreover the book demonstrates interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and intradisciplinary approaches and collaborations. Kathleen Andereck, Ph.D., Arizona State University West Sue Beeton, Ph.D., La Trobe University Heather E. Bowen, Ph.D., George Mason University Kelly S. Bricker, Ph.D., West Virginia University Barbara Carmichael, Ph.D., Wilfrid Laurier University Maggie Daniels, Ph.D., George Mason University Gayle Jennings, Ph.D., Central Queensland University Claudia Jurowski, Ph.D, Northern Arizona University Deborah Kerstetter, Ph.D., Penn State University Norma Nickerson, Ph.D., University of Montana Lori Pennington-Gray, Ph.D., University of Florida Carla Almeida Santos, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Betty Weiler, Ph.D., Monash University

1

Perspectives on Quality Tourism Experiences: An Introduction

Gayle Jennings

What is a quality tourism experiences? At first glance, this would seem to be an easy question to answer, especially given the plethora of tourism literature, which is permeated with references and commentaries in regard to “quality” and “tourism experiences,” let alone “quality tourism experiences.” However, within the multiplicity of references, an inherent deception is masked, for the answer to “What is a quality tourism experiences?” is not so easy. The body of tourism literature resonates with influences from various disciplinary fields and studies, of differing perspectives, standpoints, and theoretical predilections, as well as audience expectations. Further, the development of tourism at local, regional, and national levels has resulted in the appearance of “tourism reflexivity”: “the set of disciplines, procedures and criteria that enable each (and every?) place to monitor, evaluate and develop its tourism potential within the emerging patterns of global tourism” (Urry, 2002, p. 141). Such reflexivity has not always resulted in consistent or standardized practices. This is not surprising, given the elusive and unpredictable nature of the phenomenon of tourism itself with all its complexity and multiplicity of interactions, settings, and participants—particularly in the first half of the twenty-first century compared to, for example, the mid-twentieth century.

The passage of time also adds to the difficulty of providing a definitive answer to “What is a quality tourism experiences?” This is because the phenomenon of tourism has a temporal nature—what was “quality” yesterday may not be so today and what is a “tourism experience” tomorrow may not have been so 10 years ago. Subsequently, quality tourism experiences need to be interpreted within specific contexts and by specific “actors” as well as reflect the temporality of the settings in which they were constructed. Moreover, returning to the tourism literature, the meaning of “quality tourism experiences” is often assumed as tacit knowledge— that is, it is taken-for-granted knowledge (see Schutz, 1967). And such knowledge is constantly being reframed, reconstructed, and reinterpreted (see Ryan, 1997). At best chance, we may be able to pin down a number of unifying themes, but a definitive answer remains continually out of reach.

Having introduced the indefinite nature of quality tourism experiences, the purpose of this book needs to be stated. The book explores a number of perspectives and representations of quality tourism experiences in order to emphasize the nebulous nature of what is often assumed as a taken-for-granted concept called quality tourism experience(s). In doing so, the purpose of the book becomes twofold. First is the representation of multiple perspectives of quality tourism perspectives. Second, in the pursuit of those perspectives, the book aims to serve as a model of a collaborative effort among tourism scholars from varying disciplinary backgrounds and settings, who together negotiated the structure, style, and intent of the book.

As a consequence of its twofold purpose, the book draws on a number of theoretical research paradigms—postpositivism, social constructivism, critical theory paradigm, and postmodern paradigm—to inform its discourse. Each of these has differing positions in regard to ontology (world-view), epistemology (relationship between knower and that which is to be known), methodology (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed), and axiology (value free or value embedded). As background for readers who may be unfamiliar with a number of these paradigms, each is briefly discussed in turn.

Following this brief discussion of theoretical research paradigms, an overview of the dominant theoretical concepts, frameworks, and themes evident in the various chapters is presented. This overview is then counterpointed against the multiple perspectives inherent in tourism-related literature in regard to quality tourism experiences in the section titled State of Knowledge: Quality Tourism Experiences. Two additional sections have been included in this chapter as a result of the reviewing process. Several reviewers made commentary in regard to sustainability and authenticity issues related to quality tourism experiences. Their commentaries are addressed in the two related sections: Quality Tourism Experiences and Sustainability and Quality Tourism Experiences and Authenticity. Having mentioned previously the various actors associated with quality tourism experiences, the penultimate section addresses various potential stakeholder groups associated with the (re)presentation of quality tourism experiences. The final section provides the reader with a reiteration of the book’s intent.

Theoretical Research Paradigms Informing This Book

Postpositivism considers that there is a single “reality,” although postpositivists acknowledge that this is imperfectly and probabilistically determined (Robson, 2002). The epistemological position is objective; however, postpositivists also acknowledge that the knowledge and experiences of the researcher may influence results despite attempts at objectivity, and such biases are acknowledged. Methodologically, postpositivism is primarily predicated on quantitative methods, albeit that mixed methods are utilized with a continuing emphasis on internal and external validity as well as reliability. The axiology of postpositivism is propositional, intrinsic, and objective, although the influence of researchers and any subsequent bias in research design is acknowledged. A related tradition of postpositivism is critical realism, which is based on the work of Bhasker (1978, 1982, 1990) and Harré (1981, 1986). Bhasker (1986) purports that critical realism should have an emancipatory role (axiology). This paradigm tends to inform Chapters Five, Seven, and Eight, and is applied variously in Chapters Six (second phase of the reported study) and Ten (case study example).

Social constructivism has an ontological position that acknowledges the multiple realities of the people (sometimes called actors) participating in the research. Consequently, the ontological position of social constructivism with its multiple realities is contrary to postpositivists who perceive a “reality.” The epistemological position of social constructivism is a subjective and value-laden one. Moreover, researchers utilize primarily a qualitative methodology and engage in an intrinsic, instrumental, and transactional axiology. This paradigm informs Chapters Two, Three, and Four, as well as in Chapters Ten and Twelve.

Critical theory paradigm adopts an ontological position that the social world is constrained by rules, although these rules can be changed. Its epistemological perspective is halfway between subjectivism and objectivism. Axiologically, this paradigm should lead to transformational change, as the aim of research in this paradigm is to alter the social circumstances of those being studied. In general, a qualitative research methodology is applied. The work reported in Chapters Six, Nine, Ten, Eleven, and Twelve is predicated on this paradigm.

The postmodern paradigm disputes grand theory and views the world (its ontological perspective) as being constructed of multiple realities and that no one reality has favor over another. A central tenet is the deconstruction of the surface features of phenomena in order to expose underlying core realities. A variety of methods are used, which are generically derived from a qualitative methodology. Axiologically, the postmodern paradigm is propositional, transactional, instrumental, and intrinsic in its values and ethical stance. This paradigm partially informs the writing of Chapters One, Two, and Four.

Prior to moving on to the dominant theoretical concepts, frameworks, and themes used in Quality Tourism Experiences, a note regarding the writing style needs to be made. As readers may be aware, each of the paradigms mentioned here may require a different writing style. To provide some consistency for readers, each chapter, including this chapter, follows t...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Figures
• Tables
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• List of Contributors
• Perspectives on Quality Tourism Experiences An Introduction
• Section 1: Social Construction of Quality Tourism Experiences
• State of Knowledge Mass Media and its Relationship to Perceptions of Quality
• Constructing Quality, Constructing Reality
• Section 2: Mediating Meaning
• Mediating Meaning Perspectives on Brokering Quality Tourist Experiences
• Section 3: Interpretation of Meaning and Place
• Connecting Experiences to Quality Understanding the Meanings Behind Visitors' Experiences
• Saravanua ni Vanua Exploring Sense of Place in the Rural Highlands of Fiji
• Section 4: Quality of Life and Interpretation of Quality Tourism Experiences
• Linking Quality Tourism Experiences, Residents' Quality of Life, And Quality Experiences for Tourists
• Tourism and Quality of Life
• Section 5: Political-Economic Construction of Quality Tourism Experiences
• Introduction to Political-Economic Construction of Quality Tourism Experiences
• Quality Tourism Development and Planning
• The Distribution of Tourism Benefits
• Political-Economic Construction of Quality Tourism Experiences
• Section 6: Towards a Conclusion
• Some Reflections on Quality Tourism Experiences
• Appendix
• Index