Foreign Places and Faces; Image and Authenticity

Abstract

The previous chapters of this volume have referred to, but not specifically addressed, the special behaviours and concerns of the international tourist. In this chapter two key concepts in the tourist literature will be explored to understand the foreign travellers’ expectations and experiences of the countries they visit. It is not suggested that these concepts explain all or most of the cross cultural experiences of our modern day Ulysses, and indeed the applicability of such concepts as culture shock (Bochner and Furnham, 1986) are of considerable significance to the foreign traveller. It is valuable, however, to examine the foreign travellers’ experiences by using the related concepts of image and authenticity, since when linked with the notion of a travel career ladder, these ideas are useful in examining visitors’ expectations and reactions.