Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Metaspatiality indicates the qualities and functions of spaces which increase the (perceived)
control of the tourists and the dominance of tourist cultures in relation to the destination
community, the temporal existence of divergent social spaces within the dominant reality
(Hottola, 2005: 2).
Similarly, metaspatial enclaves have been constructed for tourists in other tourism contexts,
such as international beach tourism (Meyer-Arendt
et al.
, 1992), cruise ship tourism (Weaver,
2005c) and shopping tourism in urban destinations (Hall and Page, 2006: 138-41), to name
but three examples. In these particular spaces, people may adopt and play with holiday identi-
ties and experiment with behavioural excesses, being temporally free of a number of norms
prevalent
both
at home
and
abroad. All-inclusive resorts such as Jamaica's Hedonism II and III
are prime examples of this. The positive sides of temporal freedom may be many (e.g. psycho-
physical rejuvenation, personal growth and the accumulation of knowledge and skills) for the
majority, but the downside is also inherent in the tourism statistics regarding injury and sexu-
ally transmitted diseases, not to mention empty wallets. The perception of being
protected
by
the tourist space does sometimes induce people to cross lines of no return.
From the business point of view, keeping the customers entertained in an enclave may
translate into maximum profi ts (Weaver, 2005c), especially if many of them also join organ-
ised excursions beyond its borders. The development of tourist enclaves is, however, not only
about economics. As implied earlier, enclaves refl ect the genuine needs of certain groups
visiting foreign territories - their preference for easy-to-understand, safe and standardised
'home bases' from where local realities may periodically be visited in a controlled manner.
The metaspatial zones can provide a place for rest and liminal activity with one's primary
reference group: other tourists. Benevolent locals with an understanding of the visitors'
culture are also invited in. Following Wilson and Richards (2008), the enclaves form an
agreeable platform to deal with difference and familiarity and are sites of social (re)produc-
tion and consumption of tourism cultures.
The idea of tourist spaces as something unique and separate from local spaces, as spatio-
temporally restricted 'spaces within spaces' (metaspaces), has been embedded within the
discourse of
tourist bubbles
(enclaves) since the very beginning of tourist studies (e.g. Edensor,
1998; Judd, 1999; MacCannell, 1999; Weaver, 2005c; more in Hottola, 2008). Several classical
descriptions of tourism phenomena have the idea of metaspatiality written in. For example, the
'encapsulated' sightseeing tourists of Barbara Weightman (1987) observed the local realities
from the safety of their tour bus, with a guide as an interpreter and gatekeeper. Observing the
Other
through bus windows, they maintained a high degree of control as regards access from
outside and thereby minimised intercultural stress in the one-sided interaction, much like
m i l l ion s of ot her s h ave done w it h i n t he st at ion a r y a nd mobi le encl ave s of i nter n at ion a l tou r i sm.
The diversity of metaspaces
Tourist metaspaces can be categorised according to the level of exposure and reversal in rela-
tion to the host culture, in a manner reminiscent of Dean MacCannell's (1999: 101-2)
sequence of stages between the 'front' and the 'back'. Backpackers also create their own paths
and networks of enclaves colloquially known as the 'beaten track' (Hottola 1999: 139-51,
2004, 2005: 5-6; Allon and Anderson, 2009). In the South Asia study, these were private
spaces reserved for travellers (e.g. guesthouse rooms), semi-private spaces with restricted
access (e.g. guesthouses), public spaces with restricted access (e.g. restaurants), spaces of
temporary Western domination (e.g. backpacker gatherings) and wilderness areas (little or no
presence of
Other
people). The temporary domination of space could be created by
