The Ulysses Factor

In 1982, when my book The Social Psychology of Tourist Behaviour was published, it was almost possible to review academic research on tourism. In 1988, in a book of similar scale, such a review is almost impossible. The aim of the present volume is, therefore, to outline a body of work which adopts a consistent theme and method in exploring the topic of tourism. The approach is one of emphasising tourists' reactions and behaviours. The work is both behavioural and cognitive, and stems principally from applied traditions in social and environmental psychology. The examples of tourist studies tend to be Australian, British, and North American, principally because work elsewhere in psychological studies of tourists is less well organised. The nationality of the researchers should not, however, confine the application of the research findings, since while the examples may be specific the results are applicable in Brisbane, Bognor or Bogota. The book is intended not just for academic tourism researchers but also for all psychologists, so that they might note an understudied phenomenon within their discipline. For leisure researchers it is hoped that it will provide an opportunity for them to see developments parallel to their own research efforts in studying recreational behaviour. Is it also a volume for tourism managers and executives? In part it is, and the sections such readers might find of particular interest are Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 9.