An Exploration of Collective Memory in the Tourism Context

Abstract

ABSTRACTCollective memory is the process and result of a specific social group’s members sharing of the past. This paper examines and discusses what constitutes collective memory in the tourism context. It addresses collective memory as cultural production and its fundamental role in the tourism industry. As there are limited studies on collective memory applied to the tourism context, this paper identified the relevant attributes and dimensions of collective memory in a tourism context that will enable destination managers and marketers to formulate appropriate marketing strategies and provide practical suggestions for the industry to promote tourist destinations from a collective memory perspective. A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted to identify and examine the meaning and attributes of collective memory. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with tourism academics, industry professionals and tourists. Eleven (11) attributes of collective memory were identified, namely: place; cuisine; souvenir; growing up experience; history; event; reproduction; subjective; culture and identity; personal future needs; and development of tourism destination. Moreover, with this information a conceptual framework of collective memory was developed. By enhancing the destination image, and providing memorable visitor experiences, tourist’s memories can be enhanced, which may also facilitate their willingness to revisit a destination or place.旅游背景下对集体记忆的探索研究摘要集体记忆是特定社会群体成员共享过去的过程和结果。本文研究在旅游背景下构成集体记忆的内容, 将集体记忆视为文化产物, 并强调了其在旅游产业中的基本作用。本文确定了与旅游背景下的集体记忆相关的属性和维度, 从而使目的地管理者和市场营销人员能够制定适当的营销策略, 并为该行业提供从集体记忆角度推广旅游目的地的实际建议。本研究采用深度访谈的质性研究方法, 对集体记忆的属性和意义进行了识别和探讨。与旅游学者、业内专业人员和游客进行了面对面的访谈。识别出了11个集体记忆属性, 包括 : 地点 ; 美食 ; 纪念品 ; 成长经历 ; 历史 ; 事件 ; 再现 ; 主观 ; 文化和身份 ; 个人未来需求 ; 旅游目的地的发展。此外, 本文还建立了集体记忆的概念框架。通过提升目的地形象, 通过提供难忘的游客体验, 可以增强游客的记忆, 也可能促使他们愿意重访一个目的地或地方。KEYWORDS: Collective memorydimensions of collective memorycollective memory attributestourism contextMacao关键词: 集体记忆集体记忆的维度集体记忆的属性旅游背景澳门 Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsHuizhi ZhouHuizhi Zhou is a Ph.D. student in the School of Hospitality Management at Macao Institute for Tourism Studies. Her research focused on collective memory related to tourism areas. John ApJohn Ap is a professor of tourism management and was the former Director of the Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training at the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies. He is semi-retired and now based in Sydney, Australia.Huijun YangHuijun Yang is an Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality Management at Macao Institute for Tourism Studies. Her research focused on Artificial Intelligence and technology and consumer behavior related to tourism and hospitality areas.