Ανθρωπολογία του Τουρισμού

The course takes an anthropological approach to tourism. Seen from this perspective, the concept of culture is the central element that links anthropology to tourism. Tourism is seen in the course as a field of intercultural encounter, social interaction and economic exchange. In addition, revised concepts of culture and ethnographic practice, through the interconnection of local, national and global, make the phenomenon of tourism a privileged field of study.  Tourism is increasingly regarded as a manifestation of a global trend characterized by an increase in mobility and cultural contact. The topics discussed in the course, are: Travel and travellers; modern dimensions to tourism; tourists, locals and tourist representations and encounters; the issues of “tradition”, “authenticity”; cultural heritage management; tourism and local development; gender relations and tourism; alternative forms of tourism and the issue of sustainability; tourism politics.
Course aims: An understanding the anthropological approach of tourism; cultivating critical thinking; estimation of new forms of alternative tourism; respect for otherness.