David Fisher - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by David Fisher

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of heritage - a theoretical analysis

Heritage, as an attraction, is becoming increasingly common in the promotion of tourism. However,... more Heritage, as an attraction, is becoming increasingly common in the promotion of tourism. However, there is evidence that the ways in which heritage is conceptualised differs between cultures. Additionally, when cultures meet there is a possibility that values adapt and change. This paper examines the extent to which conceptualisations of heritage change as different cultures come into contact with one another through tourism. A theoretical basis for this is developed using the concept of the demonstration effect and Mary Douglas's notions of Cultural Bias or Grid Group theory. The suggestion here is that tourism changes how local people value heritage but that the level of change is dependent on the original meaning attached to heritage objects, and that the original meanings are dependent on the cultural bias. First an analysis of the meaning of particular heritage items is suggested. It is hypothesised that within the range of meanings only some parts can accommodate change. Second, that nature of the change that takes place is examined. Given the nature of tourism these changes tend towards commodification though other values and meanings can also come with commodification.

Research paper thumbnail of The socio-economic consequences of tourism in Levuka, Fiji

This thesis examines the proposition that the local population at a tourist destination copy the ... more This thesis examines the proposition that the local population at a tourist destination copy the economic behaviour of tourists and learn to give economic value to the same objects and activities that are demonstrated by tourists. Levuka, the old capital of Fiji, served as ...

Research paper thumbnail of The flying Kiwi: travel as a cultural icon

… Edge Research in …, 2006

In international tourism studies little attention has been paid to how different types of travel ... more In international tourism studies little attention has been paid to how different types of travel are portrayed in tourists' home countries, despite the fact that travel experiences are often culturally determined. Tourism and travel are embedded in the popular culture of many countries; media and cultural representations of travel can dictate which destinations are popular and influence many characteristics of the travel experience. One such travel experience is the 'OE' (overseas experience) of young New Zealanders. An OE is an extended overseas travel experience undertaken by young New Zealanders. Commonly, participants stay away for several years and, from a base in London, engage in periods of work interspersed with travel. With annual departures of around 15-20,000 people the OE has significant economic and social impacts on New Zealand. Over five decades a cultural tradition has become established and, despite the OE being a travel experience that occurs outside New Zealand, it has become a cultural icon in New Zealand.

Research paper thumbnail of Experiencing Film Tourism

Annals of Tourism Research, 2010

Authenticity, existential authenticity, sincerity, hyperreality and simulacra are overlapping con... more Authenticity, existential authenticity, sincerity, hyperreality and simulacra are overlapping concepts often used in accounting for the tourist experience. This study discusses these concepts in the context of a case study of Lord of the Rings film-induced tourism to New Zealand. Findings support an elaborated and extended version of authenticity that incorporates aspects of object and existential authenticity, sincerity of relationships and embodied experiences of place. These factors underpin tourists' judgments and experiences of authenticity. Links are drawn between this analysis and the theoplacity framework for religious pilgrimage. It is concluded that value emanates not only from objects or sights but also from the moments of embodied interaction with place and others, which actively constitute those objects and sights.

Research paper thumbnail of The Demonstration Effect Revisited

Annals of Tourism Research, 2004

The demonstration effect is a concept that has been intuitively accepted by many observers as a n... more The demonstration effect is a concept that has been intuitively accepted by many observers as a natural consequence of tourism. But, it is a vague concept, the results of which are hard to isolate from other factors. This paper argues that it can be broken down into four forms: exact imitation, deliberately inexact imitation, accidental inexact imitation, and social learning. Each of these forms occur as a result of the decision-making process that takes place after the potential imitator has come into contact with the demonstrator. By understanding how decisions are made to imitate, it should be possible to distinguish tourism from other agents of change.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of heritage - a theoretical analysis

Heritage, as an attraction, is becoming increasingly common in the promotion of tourism. However,... more Heritage, as an attraction, is becoming increasingly common in the promotion of tourism. However, there is evidence that the ways in which heritage is conceptualised differs between cultures. Additionally, when cultures meet there is a possibility that values adapt and change. This paper examines the extent to which conceptualisations of heritage change as different cultures come into contact with one another through tourism. A theoretical basis for this is developed using the concept of the demonstration effect and Mary Douglas's notions of Cultural Bias or Grid Group theory. The suggestion here is that tourism changes how local people value heritage but that the level of change is dependent on the original meaning attached to heritage objects, and that the original meanings are dependent on the cultural bias. First an analysis of the meaning of particular heritage items is suggested. It is hypothesised that within the range of meanings only some parts can accommodate change. Second, that nature of the change that takes place is examined. Given the nature of tourism these changes tend towards commodification though other values and meanings can also come with commodification.

Research paper thumbnail of The socio-economic consequences of tourism in Levuka, Fiji

This thesis examines the proposition that the local population at a tourist destination copy the ... more This thesis examines the proposition that the local population at a tourist destination copy the economic behaviour of tourists and learn to give economic value to the same objects and activities that are demonstrated by tourists. Levuka, the old capital of Fiji, served as ...

Research paper thumbnail of The flying Kiwi: travel as a cultural icon

… Edge Research in …, 2006

In international tourism studies little attention has been paid to how different types of travel ... more In international tourism studies little attention has been paid to how different types of travel are portrayed in tourists' home countries, despite the fact that travel experiences are often culturally determined. Tourism and travel are embedded in the popular culture of many countries; media and cultural representations of travel can dictate which destinations are popular and influence many characteristics of the travel experience. One such travel experience is the 'OE' (overseas experience) of young New Zealanders. An OE is an extended overseas travel experience undertaken by young New Zealanders. Commonly, participants stay away for several years and, from a base in London, engage in periods of work interspersed with travel. With annual departures of around 15-20,000 people the OE has significant economic and social impacts on New Zealand. Over five decades a cultural tradition has become established and, despite the OE being a travel experience that occurs outside New Zealand, it has become a cultural icon in New Zealand.

Research paper thumbnail of Experiencing Film Tourism

Annals of Tourism Research, 2010

Authenticity, existential authenticity, sincerity, hyperreality and simulacra are overlapping con... more Authenticity, existential authenticity, sincerity, hyperreality and simulacra are overlapping concepts often used in accounting for the tourist experience. This study discusses these concepts in the context of a case study of Lord of the Rings film-induced tourism to New Zealand. Findings support an elaborated and extended version of authenticity that incorporates aspects of object and existential authenticity, sincerity of relationships and embodied experiences of place. These factors underpin tourists' judgments and experiences of authenticity. Links are drawn between this analysis and the theoplacity framework for religious pilgrimage. It is concluded that value emanates not only from objects or sights but also from the moments of embodied interaction with place and others, which actively constitute those objects and sights.

Research paper thumbnail of The Demonstration Effect Revisited

Annals of Tourism Research, 2004

The demonstration effect is a concept that has been intuitively accepted by many observers as a n... more The demonstration effect is a concept that has been intuitively accepted by many observers as a natural consequence of tourism. But, it is a vague concept, the results of which are hard to isolate from other factors. This paper argues that it can be broken down into four forms: exact imitation, deliberately inexact imitation, accidental inexact imitation, and social learning. Each of these forms occur as a result of the decision-making process that takes place after the potential imitator has come into contact with the demonstrator. By understanding how decisions are made to imitate, it should be possible to distinguish tourism from other agents of change.