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A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies
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A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 47467

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anna Rita Irimiás

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Tourism, Corvinus University of Budapest, 1093 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: consumer behavior; tourism in the Mediterranean Area; tourism management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Dallen J. Timothy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Community Resources and Development, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Interests: heritage tourism; international borders; globalization; religious tourism; human mobilities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Gábor Michalkó

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Geographical Institute, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, 1112 Budapest, Hungary
2. Institute of Marketing, Corvinus University of Budapest, 1093 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: urban tourism; shopping tourism; safety and security in tourism; sense of place
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Prior to the COVID pandemic, tourism had permeated all spaces of experience, reaching every country, region, settlement, and corner of the globe (Timothy, 2019). In recent decades, the meanings, implications, and roles of tourism have also expanded significantly. This Special Issue focuses on unconventional tourism mobilities and same-day visits, which are an important but often neglected part of the tourism system, constantly challenging both scholars (Irimiás and Michalkó, 2016) and tourism industry stakeholders (Zátori et al. 2019). Unconventional tourism is an umbrella term that covers most kinds of unregistered or unaccounted tourist mobilities (e.g. second homes, same-day visits, illegal home rentals, visiting friends and relatives), some of which might not appear to be ‘tourism’ but should be in certain localities and under certain conditions (e.g. petty traders, utilitarian shoppers) (Michalkó and Timothy, 2001). Given the growth of unregistered tourist flows and unaccounted leisure (or utilitarian) mobilities, there is a need in tourism studies to apply innovative research methods and to reconceptualize the meanings of tourism in different geographical and social contexts. It is expected that people’s craving for travel in the post-pandemic era (Mitev and Irimiás, 2020) will educe new spatial and temporal tourism experiences and behaviors in which unconventional tourisms will play an important role. To better understand this phenomenon and to evaluate the development of new approaches to travel and behavioral spatialities, new ways of thinking, new theoretical constructs, and new methodologies are needed. This Special Issue seeks contributions that will explore unconventional tourism mobilities as described in all their forms, focusing on the geographical patterns, processes and hidden aspects of unconventional tourism. This special issue has a joint special issue in Tourism and Hospitality.

References

Irimiás, A. and Michalkó, G. (2016). Hosting while being hosted: A perspective of Hungarian migrant hospitality workers in London, UK. Tourism Hospitality Research, 16(2), 172-183.

Michalkó, G. and Timothy, D.J. (2001). Cross-border shopping in Hungary: causes and effects. Visions in Leisure and Business, 20(1), 4–22.

Mitev, A. and Irimiás, A. (2020) Travel Craving. Annals of Tourism Research   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.103111

Timothy, D.J. (ed.) (2019) Handbook of Globalisation and Tourism. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Zátori, A., Michalkó, G., Nagy, J., Kulcsár, N. and Balizs, D. (2019). The tourist experience of domestic VFR travellers: the case of Hungary. Current Issues in Tourism, 22(12), 1437-1459.

Dr. Anna Rita Irimiás
Prof. Dr. Gábor Michalkó
Prof. Dr. Dallen Timothy
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • unregistered/unaccounted tourism
  • short-haul travel and same-day trips
  • informal economy
  • sharing economy
  • residential (domestic) tourism
  • visiting friends and relatives (VFR)
  • cross-border mobility
  • smuggling tourism and petty trade
  • shopping tourism
  • workations
  • staycations

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 204 KiB  
Editorial
Is Unconventional the New Normal in Tourism?
by Dallen J. Timothy, Gábor Michalkó and Anna Irimiás
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5366; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065366 - 17 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1128
Abstract
The phenomenon of tourism, driven by individuals’ desire to experience something new, different, or otherly, has seen significant changes [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Other

20 pages, 4338 KiB  
Article
Capturing Unobserved Tourists: Challenges and Opportunities of Processing Mobile Positioning Data in Tourism Research
by Tamás Kovalcsik, Ábel Elekes, Lajos Boros, László Könnyid and Zoltán Kovács
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13826; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113826 - 25 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1952
Abstract
Even though tourism (both domestic and international) is one of the main triggering factors of human mobility worldwide, some of its forms are unexplored. This can be partly linked with the lack of reliable data and obstacles related to data processing and interpretation. [...] Read more.
Even though tourism (both domestic and international) is one of the main triggering factors of human mobility worldwide, some of its forms are unexplored. This can be partly linked with the lack of reliable data and obstacles related to data processing and interpretation. Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) allows us to identify various forms of tourism that are undetectable through traditional data sources such as accommodation statistics. Using MPD, not only same-day tourists but also the real time mobility patterns of tourists among various destinations can be revealed, and even hidden (i.e., unobserved) forms of tourism can be detected. However, despite the obvious benefits of such data, very few comprehensive studies exist to date on the processing, and interpretation of MPD in tourism research. In this paper, a case study is presented on the challenges and opportunities of processing MPD from raw to good quality researchable data offering a baseline tool for MPD-based research in the field of tourism. With the methodology introduced in this paper, it is possible to provide a more accurate picture of tourist flows regarding unobserved tourists, including same-day visitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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14 pages, 2301 KiB  
Article
The Changes in the Demographic Characteristics and Spatial Structure of Tourism Demand in the West Balaton Region’s Spa Cities
by László Könnyid, Zsuzsanna Váradi, Zsombor Nagy, Noémi Ilyés and Orsolya H. Horváth
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10531; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710531 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1701
Abstract
The last two years, the period of the pandemic, have brought a significant change in the tourism of Hungary, which has been developing unbroken until then. The year 2019 broke all the peaks that were interrupted by the pandemic. This particularly affected our [...] Read more.
The last two years, the period of the pandemic, have brought a significant change in the tourism of Hungary, which has been developing unbroken until then. The year 2019 broke all the peaks that were interrupted by the pandemic. This particularly affected our spa towns of international significance, including the examined settlements, Hévíz and Zalakaros. The aim of the study is to show what changes have taken place in the development of the number of visitors in the cities that have been based mainly on foreign traffic until then, what territorial reorganization has taken place in terms of sending areas, and what new target groups with modified attitude have emerged. In this study, we analyzed in detail the databases of the National Tourist Data Center, which has been operating since July 2019, and the monthly database of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. The special, so-called unconventional tourism is carried out on the one hand by the methodology of statistical data collection and on the other hand by the explored tourism behavior. According to our results, it is clear that due to the domestic traffic, a completely new target group (age group and status) appeared in the two spa towns, their sending areas affected the metropolitan suburban zones, and the target group was high-status, younger guests. In our opinion, this offers a new opportunity for spa towns to generate more sustainable, future-oriented guests with a focus on local values, creating a new supply structure and image, as well as messages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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15 pages, 1176 KiB  
Article
Subjective Bodily Experiences of Island Cyclists in Different Contexts: The Case of Hainan Island, China
by Minhui Lin and Haichao Xu
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610176 - 16 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1704
Abstract
A single subjective bodily experience is at the core of sports tourism activities, but the current literature on sports tourism largely ignores both the continuous and ephemeral experiential processes of individuals in mobile sports activities from a bodily perspective. In this study, we [...] Read more.
A single subjective bodily experience is at the core of sports tourism activities, but the current literature on sports tourism largely ignores both the continuous and ephemeral experiential processes of individuals in mobile sports activities from a bodily perspective. In this study, we developed a “context–body–perception” framework and selected a sample of tourists from Hainan Island, China, in order to explore the embodied experience of cycling tourists, using a qualitative approach. We found that the contexts encountered by island cyclists could be divided into a human context and nonhuman context. The human context included the companion context, pan-companion context, and host context, and the nonhuman context comprised the natural context, mediated facility context, and digital technology context. The cyclists’ physical experiences and perceptions in multiple different contexts were inseparable from each other, and both were embedded in a specific context through the five senses, through the state of body and activity, through emotions and memories, and through interaction with a specific context, all of which formed a dynamic feedback system. Through bodily practices in different contexts, cyclists acquired meaningful representations of their bodies, social relationships, and self-worth. The findings of this study can enrich the study of embodiment in sports and recreation areas, as well as provide an initial foray into bodily research in island-based cycling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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14 pages, 758 KiB  
Article
The Emergence of Unconventional Tourism Services Based on Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)—Attitude Analysis of Tourism Experts Using the Q Methodology
by Katalin Ásványi, Márk Miskolczi, Melinda Jászberényi, Zsófia Kenesei and László Kökény
Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3691; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063691 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2710
Abstract
The spread of autonomous vehicles (AVs) could fundamentally change tourism-related mobility in the near future. However, the empirical research on tourism impacts is still very limited. This research aims to systematize the expected tourism impacts of AVs and to explore how experts in [...] Read more.
The spread of autonomous vehicles (AVs) could fundamentally change tourism-related mobility in the near future. However, the empirical research on tourism impacts is still very limited. This research aims to systematize the expected tourism impacts of AVs and to explore how experts in different fields of tourism view the technological innovation ahead. The opinions of tourism experts (n = 21) involved in the research were analyzed using the Q methodology. Statements (n = 40) were formulated in topics derived from the literature. Based on the analysis, we distinguished four groups of opinions. An optimistic, technology-oriented group of experts suggested that AV-based sightseeing may emerge as a prominent unconventional service. An accessibility-focused group of experts predicting slow progress stressed that the spread of AVs could improve access to infrastructurally advanced destinations. A mobility-service-oriented group considered that the use of AVs is becoming conventional in terms of mobility, but its appearance remains unconventional for other tourism services. Due to the potential negative effects, a skeptical group of experts believes that AVs will not become conventional in tourism. The value of the research is the creation of groups based on tourism experts’ attitudes, which can help prepare strategic tourism decisions in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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16 pages, 6686 KiB  
Article
The Measurable Predominance of Weekend Trips in Established Tourism Regions—The Case of Visitors from Budapest at Waterside Destinations
by Bálint Kádár and Mátyás Gede
Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3293; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063293 - 11 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2938
Abstract
Short trips to weekend destinations are less researched than more conventional forms of tourism involving longer trips and overnight stays, because quantitative data are hard to procure on the behavior of such weekend tourists. As a result, the effects of these day trips [...] Read more.
Short trips to weekend destinations are less researched than more conventional forms of tourism involving longer trips and overnight stays, because quantitative data are hard to procure on the behavior of such weekend tourists. As a result, the effects of these day trips on secondary destinations cannot be measured, yet weekend tourism does contribute to the economic sustainability of many tourism regions. In this study, we analyzed geotagged photography uploaded to Flickr.com in the Budapest metropolitan area, the Danube Bend north of the Hungarian capital, and the Northern Balaton Region. Analysis of the spatio-temporal activity of photographers revealed Flickr users who live in the analyzed regions or in foreign countries, identifying the locals, weekend visitors from Budapest, those from other Hungarian regions, and foreign tourists. The predominance of visitors from Budapest was measured in both of the water-side destinations, and the spatial patterns of such visitors were more dispersed than the more concentrated spatial patterns of foreign tourists. These results show how day-trippers spread out the economic effects of tourism to much wider geographic areas than conventional tourists. Therefore, more focus should be directed toward these previously invisible forms of visits among the scientific community, policy makers, and the tourism industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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15 pages, 1404 KiB  
Article
(In)Visible Tourism According to Online Cash Registers in Hungary, 2018–2020
by Géza Tóth and Áron Kincses
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 3038; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053038 - 4 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1877
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to share innovations and some key lessons learned in the use of non-traditional data sources to improve data quality and enable more accurate and efficient data use in the field of tourism. Research on visitor traffic is [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to share innovations and some key lessons learned in the use of non-traditional data sources to improve data quality and enable more accurate and efficient data use in the field of tourism. Research on visitor traffic is based on classical statistical measures, but it may be worth expanding it with alternative data sources, such as databases based on online cash register (OCR) data. These data can be particularly useful for analysing tourism-related consumption habits in a given area. The study introduces the “invisible”, tourism-related, non-accommodation spending characteristics of transit traffic in Hungary, the possibilities of its analysis and spatial aspects, using online cash register data (includes all retail sales in Hungary, except for motorcycle purchases), and additionally, we identify the most affected municipalities which are invisible for traditional data sources. The results show that invisible tourism, linked to transit traffic, has significant economic potential. The analysis of this new type of database will provide a more accurate and faster picture of consumption associated with hidden tourism, which can be an important input for economic and marketing development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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19 pages, 2010 KiB  
Article
A Theoretical Concept of an Innovative and Sustainable Product Based on an Unconventional Approach to Design Development
by Gábor Megyeri, Kitti Boros and Balázs Fekete
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 3022; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053022 - 4 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2711
Abstract
Health security measures have become increasingly important in tourism, as there is a heightened need to rebuild the trust of tourists in destinations and tourism services. Innovative product development might help respond to the emerging health-related needs of tourists. We address the lack [...] Read more.
Health security measures have become increasingly important in tourism, as there is a heightened need to rebuild the trust of tourists in destinations and tourism services. Innovative product development might help respond to the emerging health-related needs of tourists. We address the lack of the application of Designcommunication (DIS:CO)-based approaches in the field of tourism, present a process for the theoretical development of a smart device, and explore its applications. Combining the results of the qualitative inquiry and applying DIS:CO in research and development, the concept of 4S—traveling Safe, Secure, Smart, and Sustainable—emerges in a socio-cultural and economic context, supporting the foundation of the material realisation of the product. As a result, the 4S concept presents how customised, continual feedback on the health condition of the user before and during a trip, and notifications about possible health risks in different tourist areas, might facilitate the process of trust-building. Although data on unconventional tourists is not included in tourism statistics, the designed product can assist in gathering information about them, too. With the permission of users, the built-in functions of the designed product can be used to detect their position and direction of movement. The product also helps monitor the health of tourists by providing up-to-date data on infection levels to tourism service providers. In its passive mode, as a souvenir, the device strengthens travel desire. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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28 pages, 6433 KiB  
Article
Cemeteries as a Part of Green Infrastructure and Tourism
by Ágnes Sallay, Zsuzsanna Mikházi, Imola Gecséné Tar and Katalin Takács
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2918; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052918 - 2 Mar 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6309
Abstract
The world’s population and the proportion of it living in cities and urban areas has exploded in recent decades. In the European Union, 62% of the population lives in urban areas and 80% in suburban areas, and these proportions are projected to increase [...] Read more.
The world’s population and the proportion of it living in cities and urban areas has exploded in recent decades. In the European Union, 62% of the population lives in urban areas and 80% in suburban areas, and these proportions are projected to increase further in the coming decades. It has long been researched and proven that ‘urban greenery’ can play a major role in mitigating the so-called urban heat island effect, and during the COVID-19 pandemic the role of daily recreation has come to the forefront. The combined memorial, recreational, and touristic use of cemeteries can help to ensure their economic management, and thus the long-term preservation of their value. In international tourism the model of managing cemeteries as tourist attractions already exists; however, this is not yet part of conventional practice. In addition to traditional cemetery tourism (e.g., visiting the graves of celebrities or enjoying artistic treasures and values), cemeteries are used as venues for events and sports activities. In Western Europe forest and park cemeteries have been established since the 19th century, and their large green areas and open spaces are a prerequisite for their use as public parks. Thus, the use of cemeteries as public parks is a common if quite specific practice. Our aim with this article is to identify the green space values of Budapest’s cemeteries, in addition to their well-known cultural and architectural significance, as well as to define the potential and means of their involvement in tourism-related activities. Another aim of our study is to raise awareness of green cemeteries within the tourism profession as potentially wider tourist attractions. We consider it important to draw the attention of decision-makers to the significance of the greenspace values when preserving or reusing closed cemeteries. Based on our work, other major cities in Hungary can identify and exploit the touristic and green space potential of their cemeteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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21 pages, 1504 KiB  
Article
Suitability Evaluation of Popular Science Tourism Sites in University Towns: Case Study of Guangzhou University Town
by Wei Guo, Da-Fang Wu, Yue Li, Feng-Xi Wang, Yong-Qi Ye, Hua-Wei Lin and Chi-Fang Zhang
Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042296 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3428
Abstract
With the advent of the knowledge economy, universities have increasingly important roles in cities. However, some universities and cities are still fragmented, and popular science tourism is one way to solve this. The purposes and destinations of popular science tourism differ from those [...] Read more.
With the advent of the knowledge economy, universities have increasingly important roles in cities. However, some universities and cities are still fragmented, and popular science tourism is one way to solve this. The purposes and destinations of popular science tourism differ from those of traditional tourism. Consequently, their resources have a high development value for ecological and human resources. However, research on popular science tourism in China is still in its infancy. Here, we studied popular science tourism from a geographical perspective, selecting scale capacity, environmental level, resource level, location, and service conditions as factors to construct a judgment matrix to calculate the weights of indicators at various levels. Analytic hierarchy was used to build a popular science tourism evaluation system for Guangzhou University Town as a case study and the suitability of each tourist destination in the university town was evaluated. The results show that west Guangzhou University Town is more suitable for popular science tourism than the east, which possesses more value for popular science tourism development. Finally, we give recommendations for developing popular science tourism in Guangzhou University Town. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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19 pages, 2644 KiB  
Article
Addressing the Phenomenon of Overtourism in Budapest from Multiple Angles Using Unconventional Methodologies and Data
by Betsabé Pérez Garrido, Szabolcs Szilárd Sebrek, Viktoriia Semenova, Damla Bal and Gábor Michalkó
Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2268; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042268 - 16 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4769
Abstract
This paper addresses the phenomenon of overtourism in Budapest from multiple perspectives, starting with an overview that uses information collected from news, media, and academic tourism literature. Further, the phenomenon of overtourism is addressed quantitatively using different indicators, including tourism density and intensity. [...] Read more.
This paper addresses the phenomenon of overtourism in Budapest from multiple perspectives, starting with an overview that uses information collected from news, media, and academic tourism literature. Further, the phenomenon of overtourism is addressed quantitatively using different indicators, including tourism density and intensity. According to these indicators, the center of Budapest (formed by districts I, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX) has been strongly affected by the presence of tourists, while districts physically far from the center have been less affected. This fact suggests the heterogeneity of the city in terms of overtourism. The number one catalyst of the negative impacts of foreign visitors’ behavior is party tourism (‘ruin pub’ tourism), which involves an unconventional use of the Hungarian capital. Finally, using an unconventional optimization method called fuzzy linear programming, we attempt to explore the challenging problem of identifying the optimal number of tourists for the city. The results of the study have important theoretical, methodological, and practical implications. On the theoretical side, we offer a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of overtourism in Budapest. Methodologically, the integrated approach in terms of data gathering and unconventional analytical methodologies (comprised of a case study analysis, the assessment of effective indicators for measuring the discussed phenomenon, and the demonstration of the sustainable number of visitors) represents a novel perspective about the extent of overtourism in Budapest. On the practical side, our findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers to help mitigate the problem of overtourism in the city. With regard to future research, we suggest extending and updating the results presented in this study to develop more sustainable tourism strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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Other

Jump to: Editorial, Research

10 pages, 267 KiB  
Opinion
Travelling the Metaverse: Potential Benefits and Main Challenges for Tourism Sectors and Research Applications
by Salvatore Monaco and Giovanna Sacchi
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3348; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043348 - 11 Feb 2023
Cited by 77 | Viewed by 11144
Abstract
The paper focuses on analysing the potential benefits and challenges of the Metaverse, particularly in the field of research in the tourism and food and wine sectors. The Metaverse is part of the new generation of the internet known as web 3.0, which [...] Read more.
The paper focuses on analysing the potential benefits and challenges of the Metaverse, particularly in the field of research in the tourism and food and wine sectors. The Metaverse is part of the new generation of the internet known as web 3.0, which also includes AI, blockchain and other digital innovations. The food marketing and tourism sectors are the main fields where companies are experimenting with solutions to offer people a fully functioning immersive Metaverse experience. This paper aims to highlight the potential impact of the Metaverse on tourism sectors as well as on research activities. Open challenges concern the social acceptance, affordability, and environmental sustainability of these technologies. Research is needed on the Metaverse’s ability to reduce bias and accurately simulate real experiences, as well as on tourists’ perceptions, attitudes, and willingness to pay for mediated experiences. Another important issue is the management of sensitive data that will travel through the Metaverse. Looking forward, the Metaverse has the potential to become a valuable tool for advancing tourism research through virtual collaboration and interdisciplinary research projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
12 pages, 1206 KiB  
Hypothesis
Unconventional Tourist Mobility: A Geography-Oriented Theoretical Framework
by Dallen J. Timothy, Gábor Michalkó and Anna Irimiás
Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6494; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116494 - 26 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3210
Abstract
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism had permeated all spaces of experience, reaching nearly every country, region, community, and corner of the globe. In recent decades, the meanings, implications, and roles of tourism have also expanded significantly. This article focuses on unconventional tourism [...] Read more.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism had permeated all spaces of experience, reaching nearly every country, region, community, and corner of the globe. In recent decades, the meanings, implications, and roles of tourism have also expanded significantly. This article focuses on unconventional tourism mobilities, including same-day visits, which are an important but often neglected part of the tourism system, constantly challenging both scholars and tourism industry stakeholders. Unconventional tourism is an umbrella term that covers most kinds of unregistered or unaccounted tourist mobilities, some of which might not appear to be ‘tourism’ but should be in certain localities and under certain conditions. Given the growth of unregistered tourist flows and unaccounted leisure (or utilitarian) mobilities, there is a need in tourism studies to apply innovative research methods and to reconceptualize the meanings of tourism in different geographical and social contexts. It is expected that people’s desire to travel in the post-pandemic era will educe new spatial and temporal travel experiences and behaviours in which unconventional tourisms will play an important role. To better understand this phenomenon and to evaluate the development of new approaches to travel and behavioural spatialities, new ways of thinking, new theoretical constructs, and new methodologies are needed. This article seeks to explore certain hidden or invisible tourism mobilities, focusing on the geographical patterns, processes, and hidden aspects of unconventional tourism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geography of Unconventional Tourist Mobility: New Approaches and Methodologies)
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