Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
few studies including children (Blichfeldt
et al
., 2011). Specialised studies
on social tourism are coming out of Europe (McCabe
et al
., 2011; Minnaert
et al
., 2009) and families form part of travel undertaken to visit friends and
relatives (VFR) (Backer, 2012). However, there is a lack of research into
broader experiential dimensions and ideologies. The meaning of holidays
for children is under-researched (Carr, 2011; Hilbrecht
et al
., 2008; Small,
2008) and research on fatherhood in tourism is only just emerging (Schänzel
& Smith, 2011), despite traditions of research with children and fathers
in other disciplinary areas (Daly, 1996; Galinsky, 1999; Jeanes, 2010; Kay,
2009). Family structures and societal values have changed substantially in
recent decades (Carr, 2011), which could have strong influences on family
tourism behaviour. However, family tourism research has not kept up with
the changes in family forms and a reconceptualisation of families that takes
account of diversity and difference (Shaw, 2010; Yeoman, 2008) is yet to
emerge. There is increasing research on everyday family leisure life and ideo-
logical influences (Daly, 2004; Shaw, 2010), yet this has not been extended
to an away-from-home dimension. These omissions are a reminder not only
that tourism research is lagging behind other social research but also that the
literature on family tourism is fragmented, incomplete and individualised.
This chapter identifies the contributions from Chapters 2-12, as
well as the key themes that emerge from the text. A cognitive mapping
approach has been used, as previously applied in tourism (Yeoman
et al
.,
2006; Yeoman & Watson, 2011). Each chapter theme has been interpreted
through a cognitive map and then a final conceptual or merged map has
been produced that represents the contribution made to the subject domain
of family tourism. The principal purpose of this chapter is to identify the
changes and trends that are occurring in family tourism, based upon current
research, to demonstrate the connections between concepts and to provide
a more holistic interpretation of family holidays for the future, using a
cognitive mapping approach.
Research Method: Explaining Cognitive Mapping
The bricolage
When subjective research is done, with the researcher acting as a filter or
interpretation device, it is important to understand the context of the re-
searcher and the phenomena being researched. Where the researcher is faced
with a range of viewpoints about family tourism, a useful approach is to
view the researcher as a bricoleur. A bricoleur is a:
Jack of all trades or a professional 'do it yourself ' person. (Levi-Strauss,
1966: 17)
