Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Intentions and Structure of the Topic
We as the editors are excited to introduce this rich and much needed compila-
tion of chapters on family tourism. The varied subject matter, disciplinary
approaches, theoretical positioning and methodologies signal the salience
and importance of families within tourism. The chapters address some of
the shortcomings in tourism research and provide better linkage to other
social sciences, notably family studies and leisure studies. The following 11
chapters bring together a variety of perspectives on families within tourism
and illustrate the many approaches that can be taken. Much of the material
is based on empirical research but there are also reviews where primary
research is still lacking. Many of the findings are reported here for the first
time, illustrating the infancy of academic family tourism research, one
consequence of which is the notable absence here of considerations of single
parents, families from ethnic minorities and other non-Western families.
Despite repeated attempts to commission a chapter on Asian families on
holiday, no author could be found. Although the Asian family market is
predicted to grow and take on more importance (United Nations World
Tourism Organization, 2006) this is not yet captured in academic tourism
research, and hence its absence in this volume.
It is the expectation of the editors and contributors that this topic
will stir interest and create further debate about families in tourism. The
intention here is to build a solid base from which future research on families
can emerge and grow in a more systematic fashion. What are still needed
are more fundamental discussions about the place of families in tourism
research; such research should not only be on a scale that reflects the
economic relevance of family tourism but more importantly acknowledges
its unique social realities and value to society. Any research into families also
provides a social lens on contemporary life (Lashley
et al.
, 2007), as most of
us are connected to families (past and present) in some way.
Family Tourism: Multidisciplinary Perspectives
begins with three chapters
outlining the ideological influences, social trends and historical developments
that impact on families and their holiday behaviour. Together they provide
a broad sociological context for the discussions and empirical findings in the
remaining chapters. Families on holiday cannot be seen in isolation from
their domestic behaviours, as becomes apparent in Chapter 2. There have
been profound changes in ideologies and parental roles in Western society
and these are traced through the family studies and leisure studies litera-
ture to see how they might influence our understanding of family time in
tourism. Chapter 3 continues to add to our understanding of demographic
and social change, by disseminating some current trend data. Rather than
providing theoretical underpinnings, as in Chapter 2, this chapter illustrates
the effect of demographic influences and broader structural changes on
family tourism. Chapter 4 provides a historical background to the current
