Now that is funny: humour in tourism settings

Abstract

The topic of humour has received only modest attention in tourism studies but it has been analysed extensively in other contexts. The first aim of this study was to build on both the existing work in the tourism specific literature and the wider literature to construct a framework for the comprehensive consideration of humour in tourism. The second aim of the study was to undertake original analyses of humour designed for tourists in select settings. The framework established in the first part of the study was used to review the operation of the humour in three iconic tourism cases. Some views of the special role of tourism humour were identified, notably its use to promote visitor comfort levels and aid visitor concentration levels. The role of tourism humour was seen as establishing social connections and commentary on tourism itself.