A discussion as to whether race affects an individual’s tourism experience
Author: Jenny Noriega
1 Commentries
Key Words
Racism, Discrimination, Tourism, Ethnicity, African American
This conference paper discusses the impact an individual’s ethnicity has on their tourism experiences. It aims to identify whether African American tourist receive discrimination and racial profiling while travelling. It will also use semi structured interviews to gather primary data from one participant. The paper also aims to analyse and examine, how ethnic minorities are dealing with the issue of racism and discrimination.
Many ethnic minorities receive discrimination and prejudice within the tourism industry (Mitten and Wodak,1993). This paper looks exclusively at how marginalised groups are being treated negatively. This is a valuable topic to research as we live in a more connected and globalised world (Hurrell and Woods,1995). This paper also aims to raise further awareness for discrimination and racism within the tourism industry.
The literature review highlights the lack of media representation of ethnic minorities within the tourism sector (Alderman, 2013). It also explains how African American people feel that they are not welcome at particular tourist destinations as a result of this. Moscardo and Pearce (1999) argued that in some cases ethnic minorities are more willing to participate in activities and engage more while visiting cultural and heritage attractions. This therefore results in them having a more enhanced experience as they participate more. Stephenson and Hughes (2005) explained in a research study that black Caribbean people often have a different experience when traveling due to racism and discrimination. It explained that they are often disengaged from the experience due to lack of representation. During the literature review very, little information was found regarding individuals experience due to ethnicity. This clearly highlights a gap in the research, meaning primary data is needed.
Primary data was collected by using semi structured interviews (Clifford et al., 2016). This was in order to gather first-hand information from a participant who has experienced racial profiling while traveling. This method was chosen as it allows the researcher to gather in-depth primary data and allows the conversation to flow naturally. The participant was a middle-aged black Caribbean male, who travellers for business and leisure purposes. The participant answered 25 questions around the topic of racism, discrimination and their visitor experience. They discussed what negative experiences they have had while travelling and visiting tourism attractions. The participant gave new insights into their personal stories while travelling. He also explained that he has faced many instances of discrimination and racial profiling particular at the airport. This meant he had to go through extra security checks.
The primary data indicated that there is a clear issue with ethnic minorities being treated poorly while travelling as a result of racism or prejudice. This, therefore, means that the tourism sector is not fully promoting equality and is potentially losing business as a result. The paper also highlights that there is a lack of research surrounding the topic, in regards to individuals experience. One key recommendation for the future is to make media advertisements more inclusive. This means using marginalized groups such as ethnic minorities to be in the adverts. This may be a tourism magazine for example or a holiday brochure. This makes people feel more represented and therefore more welcomed and accepted. It could also potentially make their visitor experience more enjoyable.
References;
- Alderman, D. (2013) Introduction to the Special Issue: African Americans and Tourism, Tourism Geographies, 15:3, 375-379, DOI: 10.1080/14616688.2012.762544
- Mitten, R. and Wodak, R., (1993) On the discourse of racism and prejudice. Folia linguistica, 27(3-4), pp.191-216.
- Stephenson, M. and H. Hughes (2005) Racialised boundaries in tourism and travel: a case of the black Caribbean community. Leisure studies 24 (2), 137-60
Racism, Discrimination, Tourism, Ethnicity, African American
This conference paper discusses the impact an individual’s ethnicity has on their tourism experiences. It aims to identify whether African American tourist receive discrimination and racial profiling while travelling. It will also use semi structured interviews to gather primary data from one participant. The paper also aims to analyse and examine, how ethnic minorities are dealing with the issue of racism and discrimination.
Many ethnic minorities receive discrimination and prejudice within the tourism industry (Mitten and Wodak,1993). This paper looks exclusively at how marginalised groups are being treated negatively. This is a valuable topic to research as we live in a more connected and globalised world (Hurrell and Woods,1995). This paper also aims to raise further awareness for discrimination and racism within the tourism industry.
The literature review highlights the lack of media representation of ethnic minorities within the tourism sector (Alderman, 2013). It also explains how African American people feel that they are not welcome at particular tourist destinations as a result of this. Moscardo and Pearce (1999) argued that in some cases ethnic minorities are more willing to participate in activities and engage more while visiting cultural and heritage attractions. This therefore results in them having a more enhanced experience as they participate more. Stephenson and Hughes (2005) explained in a research study that black Caribbean people often have a different experience when traveling due to racism and discrimination. It explained that they are often disengaged from the experience due to lack of representation. During the literature review very, little information was found regarding individuals experience due to ethnicity. This clearly highlights a gap in the research, meaning primary data is needed.
Primary data was collected by using semi structured interviews (Clifford et al., 2016). This was in order to gather first-hand information from a participant who has experienced racial profiling while traveling. This method was chosen as it allows the researcher to gather in-depth primary data and allows the conversation to flow naturally. The participant was a middle-aged black Caribbean male, who travellers for business and leisure purposes. The participant answered 25 questions around the topic of racism, discrimination and their visitor experience. They discussed what negative experiences they have had while travelling and visiting tourism attractions. The participant gave new insights into their personal stories while travelling. He also explained that he has faced many instances of discrimination and racial profiling particular at the airport. This meant he had to go through extra security checks.
The primary data indicated that there is a clear issue with ethnic minorities being treated poorly while travelling as a result of racism or prejudice. This, therefore, means that the tourism sector is not fully promoting equality and is potentially losing business as a result. The paper also highlights that there is a lack of research surrounding the topic, in regards to individuals experience. One key recommendation for the future is to make media advertisements more inclusive. This means using marginalized groups such as ethnic minorities to be in the adverts. This may be a tourism magazine for example or a holiday brochure. This makes people feel more represented and therefore more welcomed and accepted. It could also potentially make their visitor experience more enjoyable.
References;
- Alderman, D. (2013) Introduction to the Special Issue: African Americans and Tourism, Tourism Geographies, 15:3, 375-379, DOI: 10.1080/14616688.2012.762544
- Mitten, R. and Wodak, R., (1993) On the discourse of racism and prejudice. Folia linguistica, 27(3-4), pp.191-216.
- Stephenson, M. and H. Hughes (2005) Racialised boundaries in tourism and travel: a case of the black Caribbean community. Leisure studies 24 (2), 137-60