Repeat visitor - Host encounters: A case study from Greece

Abstract:

The literature shows that over the last two decades the natural beauties of Greece have been preferred to its historical monuments. 'Sun-lust' tourists are said to have little regard for the visited place or its culture. Lack of knowledge, understanding and sensitivity on the part of tourists to the local culture of the host community characterises the 'sunlust' tourist. By contrast, this paper presents and discusses ethnographic evidence from Chalkidiki, Northern Greece, which shows that repeat visitation to the same destination provides opportunities for interpersonal contact with local people. Fieldwork shows that repeat visitors can achieve an authentic experience by interacting with their Greek hosts. It is the encounter with Greek nationals that makes their holiday. The paper concludes that understanding tourist perceptions of their hosts and the visited community is a key element for the planning and promotion of the host community as an individual place.

Año de publicación:

2004

Keywords:

• Tourists' perceptions of hosts
• Repeat visitors
• Interpersonal contact

Fuente:

scopus