The Benefits and Limitations of Special Interest Tourism

Abstract

Although the definition and classification of special interest tourism may prove difficult or misleading, certain tourist attractions, motives, and scale clearly indicate the niche markets of those individuals specifically interested in certain activities and destinations. The nature, benefits, and limitations of special interest tourism can readily be studied in contrast with mass tourism. The former largely indicates creative recreation, a search for meaning, existential authenticity, cocreation of transformative experiences, and satisfaction of higher needs. The visitor engages in the self, the novel cultural center, and the environment in a deeper sense, resulting in self-improvement/realization, cultural integration, strong sense of place, memorable experiences, and ultimately competitive advantage for the destination. These cases of tourism activity offer product diversification, alleviate tourism congestion and are also usually less detrimental and more sustainable for the destination. However, the small scale and impermanence of special interest tourism appeal may raise questions of profitability, where planning and product development require more time and resources, and this singular item production is not standardizable as in mass tourism. The search and conveyance of meaning in special interest tourism may also lead to a pretentious over-glorification, shrinification, or museification of the destination. Lastly, unethical motivations or potentially dangerous activities may be associated with some forms of special interest, which should clearly be discouraged.

This chapter discusses the basic motivations, benefits, and limitations of special interest tourism, largely in opposition with mass tourism.

Citation

Yildiz, Ö.E. (2024), "The Benefits and Limitations of Special Interest Tourism", Akbulut, O., Ekin, Y., Güler, M.E. and Saribaş, Ö. (Ed.) Battlefield Tourism (Tourism Security-Safety and Post Conflict Destinations), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83909-990-820241003