Book review of "Philosophical issues in tourism" edited by J. Tribe, Channel View Publications, Bristol, England, UK

Abstract

[Extract] Amongst the plethora of books and academic articles published on Tourism (Tribe in his introductory chapter notes that a recent search of the CABI abstract service recorded 50,000 items) there are relatively few which reflect on the ways in which we think about tourism, the study of tourism and the application of research findings. Of course, PhD theses all have a section to deal with such matters, but the authors quickly move on to empirical matters and methods.

The buzz of conversation after the sessions at tourism conferences often starts with the sharing of our travel experiences to get there, or intentions afterwards, and sometimes we touch on the consequences of our actions as tourists. We may ask each other what are you researching now? and sometimes we discuss our methodological preferences or practices. Over a convivial glass or two we sometimes ask a newly met colleague about his or her disciplinary background. But seldom do we look over the rim of our wine or beer glasses and seek to know about each other’s ontological or epistemological stances, or compare our paradigmatic positions.