Tourism: a Sociological Framework for Tourist Roles and Typologies

Introduction

Tourism is a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from mass tourism to personalized, off-the-beaten-path explorations. The complexity of tourism lies not only in its economic impact but also in its social and cultural dimensions, which are often overlooked. This paper aims to offer a comprehensive definition of the tourist role and explore the diverse range of touristic phenomena. By doing so, it seeks to provide a sociological framework for understanding the various forms of tourism and the typologies of tourists, thereby addressing gaps in current literature.

Methodology

This paper relies on a qualitative analysis of contemporary literature on tourism diversity and change, notably drawing from Erik Cohen's seminal work. By examining a range of sources, the study aims to present a nuanced understanding of tourism and its sociological implications.

Significance of the Study

Tourism is a rapidly growing social phenomenon with significant social and cultural implications. However, its complexity has made it difficult to fully grasp its significance beyond the economic perspective. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the sociological aspects of tourism, thereby contributing to a more nuanced understanding of its various forms and typologies.

Tourist and Tourism

The etymology of the word ‘tour’ traces back to the Latin 'tornare' and the Greek 'tornos,' both meaning a circular movement. When combined with the suffixes ‘ism’ and ‘ist,’ the term suggests an action or process involving movement around a central point. Tourism, therefore, can be seen as the act of leaving and returning to an original starting point, a round trip undertaken by the tourist.

What is Tourism?

Defining tourism has been a challenging task for scholars, and it remains ambiguous to many. Robert Christie Mill (2012) suggests that tourism is akin to a new global religion—a nebulous phenomenon that is social, cultural, and economic in nature, yet not easily classified as an industry. The link between travel, tourism, recreation, and leisure is often fuzzy. Major forms of tourism typology include cultural tourism, ethnic tourism, recreational tourism (sun, sand, sea, sex, safety, and security), eco-tourism, and heritage tourism, among others.

Who is a Tourist?

Identifying who qualifies as a tourist is similarly challenging. Stereotypical indicators such as strange dress or behavior do not suffice to classify tourist typologies. Stanley Plog (1973) proposed a psychographic approach, suggesting that a person's personality influences their choice of travel destinations. According to him, tourists can be categorized as allocentric (adventurers or pilgrims), mid-centric, and psychocentric.

Definition and Typologies

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) identifies three major types of tourists: international, domestic, and excursionists. Other classifications, such as those by American Express (1989), include adventurers, dreamers, worriers, economists, and indulgers. Valene L. Smith (1977) and sociologist John Urry (1990) offered further typologies, including explorers, elite tourists, mass tourists, and those engaged in the 'collective gaze' or 'romantic gaze.'

Sociological Viewpoint of Tourist and Tourism

Tourism has been largely neglected from a sociological perspective, despite its rapid growth as a global phenomenon. Novelty and change are central to the human experience, and tourism offers an opportunity to appreciate these elements in new environments. To fully enjoy and gain from the novelty of travel, individuals must adopt a mindset open to new experiences. Erik Cohen (1972) classified tourists into categories such as drifters, explorers, individual mass tourists, and organized mass tourists, each seeking varying degrees of novelty and familiarity.

Conclusion

Tourism and the role of the tourist are complex and often vague concepts. The distinction between tourists and non-tourists is blurred, leading to conceptual confusion. This paper has emphasized the sociological perspective of tourist typologies, acknowledging that definitions may vary from other viewpoints. By exploring the diverse forms of tourism and tourist roles, this study aims to provide a clearer understanding of this multifaceted phenomenon. Future research should continue to integrate sociological insights to enhance our comprehension of tourism's social and cultural dimensions.

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