Consumer Tribes In Tourism

This book adopts a collectivist perspective on special interest tourism consumption, bringing together research on ‘special interest tourism’ and ‘niche tourism’ as well as more recent research into the interdisciplinary applications of the sociological concept of neo‐tribes. It promotes a shift in perspective away from special interest tourism understood as a sum of similarly motivated individuals, to a collective view of special interest tourists who share common characteristics (e.g., shared values, beliefs and mutual interests) and group structures. This approach provides a better understanding of groupings that are not unified by a common tourism motivation, but brought together by otherwise conditioned commonalities in actual behavior triggered by supply-side contexts (e.g., Airbnb). The book considers tourism micro‐segments as consumer tribes (i.e., as symbolic communities) in which individuals are embedded and loosely bound together. As there is limited research on the collectivist perspective on special interest tourism consumption, in the first part the book’s conceptual/theoretical discourse contributes to a better understanding of ‘groupings’ in tourism behavior but also collectives that are not unified by a common tourism motivation. Presenting international examples, the book explores in Part 2 the group culture of a range of tourist tribes by describing emerging tourism micro-segments, identifying shared identities, and analyzing their collective mechanisms.

Marketing and consumer research has traditionally conceptualized consumers as individuals- who exercise choice in the marketplace as individuals not as a class or a group. However an important new perspective is now emerging that rejects the individualistic view and focuses on the reality that human life is essentially social, and that who we are is an inherently social phenomenon. It is the tribus, the many little groups we belong to, that are fundamental to our experience of life. Tribal Marketing shows that it is not individual consumption of products that defines our lives but rather that this activity actually facilitates meaningful social relationships. The social ‘links’ (social relationships) are more important than the things (brands etc.) The aim of this book is therefore to offer a systematic overview of the area that has been defined as “cultures of consumption”- consumption microcultures, brand cultures, brand tribes, and brand communities. It is though these that students of marketing and marketing practitioners can begin to genuinely understand the real drivers of consumer behaviour. It will be essential to everyone who needs to understand the new paradigm in consumer research, brand management and communications management.

Carefully examining the challenges of meeting fast-developing consumer demands and preferences, this enlightening Handbook captures the difficulties involved in providing optimal service experiences. It provides invaluable theoretical guidance while emphasising the evolutionary nature of experience science.

This book examines and analyzes tourism consumption and tourist experiences, employing a systematic and case study-driven perspective. Covering approaches with a wider geographical background, it considers issues like tourism place experience and co-creation, as well as the behavior of tourists on guided tours, at trade shows and exhibitions, and in museums. Dedicated chapters deal with the aspect of customer satisfaction in places such as hotels or restaurants. In closing, the book highlights tourist behavior in the context of cultural heritage, regional and cultural differences and the general frameworks of consumer happiness and responsibility. Given its focus, the book provides a unique view on the interplay of tourism consumption and tourist experiences, and presents a comprehensive selection of case studies to exemplify and discuss in detail the frameworks covered and the current state of practice.

The transition from mass tourism to niche tourism has been a slow process. It is clear that mass tourism can damage local culture, authenticity, and resources, and niche tourism is considerably important for the future of tourism companies and destination managers. Thus, it is essential for tourism companies and destination managers to be proactive and adapt to market changes and challenges to hold a stronger position in the business environment in the future. Exploring Niche Tourism Business Models, Marketing, and Consumer Experience provides relevant theoretical and empirical research findings, an innovative and multifaceted perspective of the niche tourist experience, and an understanding of how companies adopt business models based on sustainable paradigms and innovative technologies as a way to create value. Covering topics such as business models, rural tourism, and visitor experience, this premier reference source is an essential resource for marketing managers, product developers, niche tourism executives, marketing and tourism students, business professionals, researchers, and academicians.

This book celebrates and builds on Alan Clarke (1956–2021) and Allan Jepson’s 2015 book Exploring Community Festivals and Events. It showcases how far the study of community festivals and events has come in the intervening years, and in so doing it is a response to recent calls for researchers to take a more critical approach to event studies. This is an interdisciplinary book that draws together empirical research across a wide range of community event types, sizes and within diverse communities. Chapters in this book are grouped into four themes that highlight the breadth and depth of work being done: reviving and maintaining tradition(s); a focus on belonging; challenges and tensions; and innovations in teaching and research. Another of its core strengths is its international perspective – the book encompasses research from around the world including Turkey, Portugal, Greece, India, the UK, the US, Austria and New Zealand. There is also a diverse range of theoretical lenses applied to the study of community events, and some innovative methodologies used to achieve research aims and objectives. This volume will appeal to students and researchers in the fields of critical event studies, cultural studies, place-making, tourism, music, sociology and geography. Several chapters also provide insights and key learnings for those lecturing and working in event management and industry professionals.

This Handbook provides a critical analysis of the evolution of the contemporary niche tourism phenomenon. By framing discussions around sustainable development thinking, concepts and practical applications, each chapter provides specific reflections on niche tourism trends, successes and/or failures, and the challenges and opportunities that destinations that pursue tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development face around the world.

This collection brings together perspectives drawn from a range of international scholars who have conducted research into the applications of neo-tribal theory. The concept of the neo-tribe was first introduced by the French sociologist Michel Mafessoli (1996) to describe new forms of social bonds in the context of late modernity. This book critically explores the concepts that underpin neo-tribal theory, using perspectives from different disciplines, through a series of theoretically informed and empirically rich chapters. This innovative approach draws together a recently emergent body of work in cultural consumption, tourism and recreation studies. In doing so, the book critically progresses the concept of neo-tribe and highlights the strengths, weaknesses and the opportunities for the application of neo-tribal theory in an interdisciplinary way.