A Study Guide has been prepared for educators using the book Tourism, Progress and Peace, edited by Omar Moufakkir and Ian Kelly, and published by CABI (2010). The Guide is available for download from the website of the International Centre for Peace through Tourism Research, or simply click on Instructor’s Guide to download the whole document.

Please note that there are no copyright restrictions on the use of the Guide, but an acknowledgement is appreciated.

Special Issue of Tourist Studies

Guest editor
Omar Moufakkir (Stenden University, the Netherlands)
This issue of Tourist Studies invites papers on the subject of host gaze in tourism. As you may know, currently Yvette Reisinger and I are editing a book on the same topic. The rationale for sending out a similar call for a special issue is to further our understanding of the host gaze. We have received many interesting chapters for the book but we have also rejected a few. These were either purely anthropological chapters, descriptive or chapters that have mistaken the host gaze for residents’ attitude surveys or locals’ perceptions. The host gaze, however, starts where these stop in that it goes deeper into understanding the whys of those perceptions and attitudes. The book includes 18 interesting chapters but there is still much ground to cover and by creating this opportunity we are hoping to cover the gaps in host gaze studies to “hopefully” start catching up with “the tourist gaze”. The book and special issue are meant to complement each other.
 

This issue will cover many aspects of the host gaze:  How is the host gaze constructed and reinforced? How has it changed and developed? How does the host gaze vary? What are its consequences for the tourists who are its object?  What are the aspects of the host gaze which distinguish it from the tourist gaze and from conventionally gaze encountered in everyday life? What determines the host gaze? Are there any pre-existing cultural images of the host gaze? Which host gazes are the most/least authentic? How do hosts gaze upon or view different tourists? How different nations construct their host gazes? What are the differences in the host gaze across regions and nations? What are the socio-cultural and economic aspects of the host gazes? What are the elements of the host gaze in the changing global economy of the tourism industry? How do the tourism development and its particular industries/sectors influence the host gaze? 
Papers should focus on Western and Non-Western host gazes (Western hosts gazing upon Western tourists, Western hosts gazing upon Non-Western tourists, Non-Western hosts gazing upon Western tourists, and Non-Western hosts gazing upon Non-Western tourists. Gazes from Arab countries upon Western tourists are most welcome). The tourist gaze is dynamic and so is the host gaze. How is the host gaze in tourism responding to the challenges and opportunities of the 21^st Century is a major question that will advance our understanding of tourism and the role of tourism in society.
 
Submission Guideline
Authors are invited to submit an abstract of up to 1500 word for consideration for the special issue. Selected authors will then be asked to submit a full paper for potential publication. All submissions will go through the blind review process of Tourist Studies. http://tou.sagepub.com/. 
“Tourist Studies is a multi-disciplinary peer reviewed journal advocating critical perspectives on the nature of tourism as a social phenomenon. It adopts a global perspective, widening and challenging the established views of tourism and seeking to evaluate, compare and integrate approaches from sociology, socio-psychology, leisure studies, cultural studies, geography and anthropology”.
Send abstract to omar.moufakkir@stenden.com 

 Important Dates
Abstract deadline: 15 February 2012
Notification of acceptance of abstracts deadline: 30 February 2012
Submission of full paper deadline: 15 August 2012
Submission of revised papers deadline: 15 November 2012
Special issue publication: January 2013
 
(Main text and word count — suggested target is about 8000 words.More information will be available upon approval of abstracts.)
————————————————————————————–
Overview
“The second gaze is always aware that something is being concealed from it; that there is something missing from every picture, from every look or glance. This is no less true on tour than it is in everyday life. The second gaze knows that seeing is not believing. Some things will remain hidden from it. Even things with which it is intimately familiar (…) It looks for openings and gaps in the cultural unconscious. It looks for the unexpected, not the extraordinary, objects and events that may open a window in structure, a chance to glimpse the real” (MacCannell, 2001, p. 36).

What helps in constructing and developing our gaze as hosts? How is the host gaze constructed and reinforced? What are the consequences of this gaze for the places which are its object and tourists who are its subject? These and questions similar to those concerning the tourist gaze (Urry, 2002) can help us to move on from the ‘conventional gaze’ (MacCannell, 2001) or the obvious in host-guest encounters and resident attitude surveys towards a more critical analysis (Tribe, 2008) and a deconstruction of the gaze in tourism. We gaze at what we encounter, and this gaze is socially organized and systematized as is the gaze of the medic. An analysis similar to that of the tourist gaze, whether from Urry’s or MacCannell’s perspective, can be applied to the host gaze. The concept of the gaze can help us to grasp tiny anomalies, and gaze upon the gazes of the host. The gaze involves looking at the encounter with interest and curiosity. There is the gaze of the gazer and the gaze of the gazee or the object of the initial gaze.

Both gazes are subject to change with changing economic, demographic, social, cultural and other societal phenomena (Urry, 2002; MacCannell, 2001). As the tourist gaze is dynamic, the host gaze is also changing, depending on who is the tourist and who is the host. Just as there is no single tourist gaze, the host gaze must also vary by society, social group, and historical period. Host gazes are constructed through cultural similarities and dissimilarities. Surely, there must be different gazes from the same gazer upon different gazees. For example, while the Dutch host may find German tourists irritating, the French may find them friendly, and while the German host may find the Dutch tourist friendly, they may find the French tourists irritating. Why? What factors shape the host gaze?

How does cultural distance (CD) moderate the host gaze? Cultural distance, stereotypes, communication, and history, among other factors, are likely to contribute to the construction of particular gazes. The tourist gaze “is constructed and sustained through a variety of non-tourist practices, such as film, TV, literature, magazines, record and videos, which construct and reinforce the gaze” (Urry, 2002, p. 3). The host gaze is also constructed through similar media, and is objectified through perceptions, stereotypes and cultural distance. The collection of information (or misinformation) enables the gaze to be captured and reproduced.

“(T)o consider how social groups construct their gaze is a sound way of getting at just what is happening in the ‘normal society’” (Urry, 2002, p. 2). MacCannell adds to this notion of the gaze (the medic’s gaze) Foucault’s panopticon where the gazer and gazee are both constructing the gaze. The Panopticon mechanism is a subtle way by which the object becomes the subject of his/her own gaze. It is this dialectical notion of the construction of the gaze that is important to the host gaze. MacCannell invites us to visit, among others, Jacques Lacan, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty to get different versions of the gaze of the gazer. In MacCannells’ terms the “clinical gaze will not be denied. If it cannot see inside the living body, it will see inside eventually, in surgery or postmortem” (p. 28). MacCannell suggests that what is invisible is merely hidden and is there to be uncovered. Imbedded in MacCannell’s second gaze concept is a third gaze – the gaze of the ‘critical’ academic (see also Tribe, 2008). This third gaze can help to deconstruct and develop our understanding of the gaze as hosts. That is, the host gaze study goes beyond “what you see is what you get” and deeper into analysing the whys of the gaze. 

By gazing at the gaze of the gazer upon the gazee, new theories may arise for several reasons. First, most of the social and cultural theories of tourism have been developed from the experiences of Western tourists and consequently some may not be directly applicable to Non-Western tourists, such as the Asian (Chang, 2006), the African or the Middle Eastern. Second, most theories of tourism encounters are based on the Anglo-American experience and mostly focus on the interplay between the culture of the host in a developing country and that of the guest from a developed country. Third, an examination of tourism literature shows little cross-cultural research. Fourth, much of the existing host-guest literature is outdated. Fifth, information about the host gaze is negligible compared to that on the tourist gaze.

We are tired, we like to do things in summer, fall, spring and winter;

We like change, we like our comfort, we have made progress,

Transgressing into regression, we want to be closer to that which we want to become,

Humans… we want pleasure,

Pleasure in goodness, we want leisure, leisure in our lives before we rest,

Travelers in life we are, and happy is the traveler who is also a tourist

Lucky with this privilege he is another time enlightened in understanding the mystery of existence

But unhappy is the tourist who unlistens to the voices of nature when it is happy and when it is hurting

What would become of Life if life is a creation without purpose, a beginning without an end, empty when it starts and empty when it ends,

Freedom is the end. Relaxation, finally,

Hellas, only a traveler I still am: a vagabond who in tourism remains free,

Vagabonding, waiting for Godot…, asking: Freedom, is it too much to ask for, if it is not asking at all,

Free,

A free vagabond I want to be,

If not what needs be for a vagabond to remain free if he is not free at all?

(Omar Moufakkir, Controversies in Tourism, CABI, 2011:20)

 Table 1: Media reports mentioning tourism and peace (March 2011)

A small number of reports were rejected as irrelevant (eg, promotion of tourism in Canada’s Peace River region; the peace of mind achieved through travel insurance; and the peace associated with the absence of mobile phone reception) and some were not locationally specific (eg, activities of the US Peace Corps and peace organizations), but there were 89 other reports mentioning peace and tourism in 40 countries, suggesting that the link between the two is geographically dispersed and frequently recognized (ref. Table 1).

 The most frequent mentions relate to countries which have experienced or are still experiencing violent conflict and may be seen as supporting the argument that tourism is primarily a beneficiary of rather than a contributor to peace. However, the role of tourism in facilitating involvement with Maoist rebels in Nepal is acknowledged, and it is seen as potentially valuable in countering unrest in Nigeria’s Plateau State and delta region, Mindanao in The Philippines, Afghanistan and Sudan. Tourism initiatives (including the easing of travel restrictions) are seen as positive developments in the long-standing transnational disputes involving Israel and Palestine, Pakistan and India, China and Japan, Greece and Turkey, and South and North Korea. The so-called ‘peace dividend’ following the end of conflict is apparent in tourism growth and associated economic benefits in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Eritrea.

 The forms of tourism linked to peace are varied, and include both domestic and international tourism There appears to be a focus on youth as ‘peace ambassadors’ with mentions of adventure tourism, rafting, bicycle tours, sports, beach activities and surfing. Young people are also involved in cultural exchanges such as ballet performances and music festivals. People with shared interests are brought together through agro- and ecotourism, and the need to protect wildlife is encouraging cooperation among conflicting groups in troubled parts of sub-Saharan Africa and in the development of conservation areas and peace parks. There are some other regional distinctions, with pilgrimage tourism important in the Middle East, and Islam as a promoter of peace in Brunei. A reconciliation focus is present in Israel/Germany tourism exchanges and museum development in South Africa. A degree of opportunism is apparent in the offers of ‘revolutionary tourism’ (Tunisia), ‘atomic tourism’ (Japan) and homestay accommodation (Sarawak) for survivors of the earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan early in the month.

 According to the media reports identified, recognition that tourism can contribute to peace is highest in Nepal and Nigeria, where efforts have been directed to reintegration of disaffected elements through employment in the delivery of tourism services. It is likely that some references to peace are promotional or propagandistic but in total they demonstrate a high level of awareness of the peace through tourism proposition and of the benefits which tourism growth can bring in stable conditions.

July 20, 2010

APA Announces Online First Publication for Full-Text Journal Articles in the PsycARTICLES Database

Articles accepted for publication will now be available in electronic format prior to the print publication, expediting access to the latest peer-reviewed research

To the Academy of Hope, on 6 Jul 2011, at 09:35, Lynn’s comments and Annette’s response summuarise the views of Generation T (of and for) Tourism 

This is what Lynn wrote about this conference.

Dear all, I would like to present to you 2 autoethnographic studies of tourism conferences in the UK, conducted by means of visual methods, according to a subjectivist paradigm and principles of co-creation. To ensure optimal dissemination these studies are open-access, and are now open for peer-review. Please direct your distinguished attention to: Exhibit  B*: http://www.flickr.com/photos/generationt/sets/72157627004237363/ 

*Structure lent from hand-outs (both pink and green) of Professor Keith Hollinshead, with thanks, with the aim of in-depth audiencing Excecutive summary: Generation T is carefully considering its disciplinary grounding. Many thanks to all of you who participated in these, and I hope to be involved in similar projects with all of you soon, Lynn

 This is Annette’s response: Super photos Lynn, I can’t think of anything intelligent or funny to add, but we all certainly had a great time, All best wishes, Annette

From us here: No Comments! 

JOURNAL SPECIAL ISSUE
We are planning a special issue in the Journal of Tourism and Peace esearch which is a peer-reviewed publication offered free of charge (making it accessible to less privileged communities of scholars and emerging researchers). The title of the special issue will be The Future of Tourism and Peace and we have decided on a broad theme to encourage wide ranging contributions (from theoretical and philosophical works to reflexive accounts and empirical studies). The deadline for submissions is 15 October 2011 and all papers should be sent to
omar.moufakkir@stenden.com and tomas.pernecky@aut.ac.nz.

For detailed guidelines please go to
http://www.icptr.com/index.php/instructions-for-authors/

Please remember that besides the special issue the journal is also publishing general submissions on Tourism, Conflict and Peace.

BOOK
We are also putting together an edited volumethat will critically explore the nexus between peace, events, tourism and hospitality. We have secured a publisher who is interested in this project. The book will consist of both theoretical/conceptual contributions as well as case studies. At this stage we are seeking expressions of interest and if this is something you would like to be part of (and we hope you will!) please send us a preliminary chapter title by 15 September 2011 (please email your chapter title to tomas.pernecky@aut.ac.nz and omar.moufakkir@stenden.com).  There will be a formal call announced later this year, but given that there was interest at the workshop and in the corridors, we thought we would give the CTS critical thinkers first opportunity. This is not a “closed club” of researchers, so if you didn’t manage to attend the workshop and want to join us in our efforts to tackle the issues of peace critically, we would love to hear from you. The final manuscripts will be due in mid/late 2012 to allow our colleagues who are under various pressures to publish in high ranking academic journals for the next round of RAE/PBRF to contribute as well.

If you have any questions we are only an email away!

Best wishes,
Tomas & Omar

Link to the IV CTS conference programme and workshop information:
http://www3.uwic.ac.uk/english/cardiff-school-of-management/research/critical-tourism-studies-conference/pages/conferenceprogramme.aspx

The Journal of Tourism and Peace Research

 This academic journal is published by the International Center for Peace through Tourism Research/Lectoraat Tourism for Peace

Stenden University –ISSN 1878-7754,             

www.icptr.com

The main aim of The Journal of Tourism and Peace Research is to provide a peer-reviewed forum for the study and discussion of tourism and peace issues in tourism and tourism-related areas of leisure, recreation and hospitality studies. The realities of the 21st Century, including globalization, the EU enlargement, immigration, terrorism, home-grown terror, made and natural catastrophes, conflicts, stereotypes, perceptions, and rising poverty, necessitate a closer look at the role of tourism. The Journal of Tourism and Peace Research is an international journal that encompasses all aspects of tourism and leisure oriented to peace, cooperation and conflict solutions. Tourism and Peace is broad in scope and deals with many factors relating to peace, such as appropriate planning, international cooperation, peace through tourism, tourism in conflict-ridden areas, avoiding potential negative impacts of tourism and mitigating existing ones, tourism and human rights, peace museums, tourism and attitude change, inappropriate tourism behavior, inappropriate industry behavior, tourism and peace initiatives and examples of good practice through tourism, tourism and borders – physical and perceptual, tourism and cross cultural behavior and understanding, tourism encounters, political tourism, and ethical tourism. The major concerns of the journal revolve around the myths, realities and potential of tourism as an agent of peace. Critical questions concerning the extent to which tourism can contribute to the multifaceted nature of peace, and help it to function in an ethical manner can guide our research.

(We live in the digital age, and the power of the digital is instant messaging and instant sharing. Thus, we will make sure that your paper has been reviewed within three weeks after submission, and is published right away after acceptance, to reach and share knowledge with the haves and the have nots within a lapse of time.)

 The JTPR is a free of charge peer-reviewed online journal.

Visit us at www.icptr.com. You have easy access to the issues.

AMMAN – Jordan’s tourism sector is keeping a close eye on regional political developments while assuring its international partners that the kingdom remains to be a very safe destination.  

The sector’s vigilance was prompted by international news reports covering the turmoil in Tunisia and Egypt, which seems to have created some fears among international travelers to the region. Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said it was leading an effort to clarify such reports and show that the kingdom, while part of the Middle East, remains to be a very safe destination. In a statement to the local media, the Ministry said it was working with the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), the Jordan Hotel Association (JHA), and The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) to correct any misconceptions or wrong perceptions that might arise from the global media’s attention to the region.

The Jordan Tourism Board has issued a statement refusing linking Jordan to the current developments in Tunisia and Egypt, and stressing the kingdom’s long and credible history of being “an oasis of stability” despite a “turbulent” region.

JTB Managing Director Nayef Al-Fayez criticized any linking of Jordan to regional developments and said the kingdom remains to be a safe destination. He said, “Tourists from all over the world continue to enjoy Jordan’s countless and priceless treasures, as well as its unique and internationally-renowned hospitality.” Mr. Al-Fayez also criticized any attempt to link the progress of Jordan’s democratic reforms with the “political unrest” in Egypt and Tunisia. The JTB Managing Director said Jordan is a modern country that has been going through various stages of reform that was started by His Majesty King Abdullah II since he assumed his constitutional powers.

He said some international media reports included references to protests spilling over to Jordan and that Jordan was a “victim” of political unrest, which he said was absolutely false and irresponsible. “Any such link or characterization is not objective, is certainly unfair, and does great injustice to everything that Jordan stands for,” he added.

The president of the Jordan Hotel Association (JHA) Michel Nazzal expressed concern that the stereotypes of the region could frighten off tourists and cause unwarranted cancellations. He said Jordan remains to be a safe tourist destination for all tourists, and that some of the tour operators have moved their trips to Jordan.

His remarks were echoed by the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association. JITOA spokesman Muhannad Malhas said some groups were evacuated to Jordan while others diverted their programs to the kingdom, which they said was safe for their tourists.

Press reports and statements have revealed that some scheduled Red Sea cruises have changed their itineraries and are concentrating on calls at Jordan’s Red Sea city of Aqaba, from where tourists can visit attractions like Wadi Rum and World Wonder Petra. The Jordan Tourism Board has said the kingdom is blessed with a strategic location that places it in the heart of the Middle East, and at the crossroads of civilizations. It said sometimes this can have an adverse effect when “stereotypes” place us in the heart of a “turbulent” region. It stressed that Jordan has always prevailed as a safe, secure, and hospitable destination. Jordan’s tourism sector has shown impressive growth patterns. During 2010, total arrivals grew by almost 20% over 2009 to reach 4.6 million overnight visitors (8.2 million total arrivals including day visitors). Visitors from the Americas grew by 12.0%, Europe by 22.3%, Asia-Pacific by 25.4%, while Asia scored a 31.2% increase during 2010.