Mediating the Tourist Experience: The Role of the Media in Contemporary
Tourism

In the past, the tourism media has predominantly referred to the image of
destinations constructed through media texts, in particular tourist brochures
(see Urbain, 1989; Dilley, 1984; Dann, 1995) and postcards (see: Edwards,
1996, Mellinger, 1994, Markwick, 2001, Moors, 2001, Waitt & Head, 2002),
with increasing attention towards films and television (see for example:
Beeton, 2005; Hudson & Ritchie, 2006). Yet, with the prolific advancements
and ever-increasing technologies of media communication, the possibilities of
production and subsequent consumption are unequivocally changing the ways
in which tourists imagine, understand and engage with destinations. Media and
the outputs they mobilise become powerful products infused with political,
cultural and social discourse and motivation. Indeed, the deployment and
utilisation of media in particular contexts serves to directly influence the
enactment and experience of being a tourist. The session therefore seeks to
explore the new possibilities such media afford and in doing so, unpack the
mediation practices that arise as a consequence of such new modes of
engagement. In doing so, it seeks abstracts covering the following themes;
•       Technologies of touristic media: from films to the internet
•       The power relations of tourism media
•       Mediating tourist imagination and performance
•       Mobilising virtual spaces of travel
•       Media in context (spatial, temporal)
•       Future directions of tourism and media

This list is intended to offer suggestion and is not exclusive. Abstracts are
welcome from all areas addressing issues of tourism and the media.

Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be sent to: Dr Caroline Scarles
([log in to unmask]), Dr Tara Duncan ([log in to unmask]) or, Jo-
Anne Lester ([log in to unmask]) by Friday February 12th, 2010.