“Cultural Tourism, between experience and ritual"It is a book worth reading, even if you have even a slight interest in tourism.
The author knows what he is talking about and is well versed in the subject, as he is a specialist in the tourism management of monumental cities (among other topics related to geography and tourism).
Although the book is initially aimed at an academic audience, the content is treated in an entertaining way and at the same time is astonishingly erudition-driven. It is recommended for all audiences.
The book is really dense in content, so it's not a book you read in one sitting. It's more of a bedside book. Something to read for a while and then stop, to reflect on the reading.
Some of the topics covered in the book are:
- Culture (in capital letters) vs culture (in lowercase letters)
- The image of a destination vs the real identity of its inhabitants
- What is a cultural tourist like?
- Cultural tourism is an experience or a ritual
With skillful mastery, the author introduces topics that seem simple and directs you towards dilemmas that require reflection, and that end up forcing you to put the book aside, whether you want to or not, and force you to think about what is being said, to form an opinion and to position yourself on one side or the other.
It also includes some interesting reflections on Web 2.0 and its applications in tourism issues.
Anyway… A real pleasure to read.
Author's blog: Jose Antonio Donaire
Publisher's website: Vitel·la Editions
