Caught in the maze: Exploration of the ‘tourist trap’ phenomenon

Abstract

This research note explores the intricate nature of tourist traps, going beyond the prevalent negative stigma attached to them. While the term tourist trap is casually used, only a limited number of scholars have investigated the intricacies of this phenomenon, and there is a scarcity of empirical research on this topic. Using a Reflective Collaborative Autoethnography (RCA) approach, this research note presents a reflective analysis of the authors’ experience with the phenomenon. Through this exploration, we uncover insights in both psychological and tangible dimensions, contributing to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of tourist traps. Expanding from the findings, this research note conceptualises the concept of a tourist trap from a dual-perspective framework that considers both supply and demand aspects. This framework goes beyond the traditional focus on product or service quality, providing a more nuanced discourse on the multifaceted nature of tourist traps.