Niche Tourism: Contemporary Issues, Trends, and Cases

The tourism patterns previously highlighted have led to the rise of what is commonly recognised as special interest tourism (see also Hall, C.M. and Weiler, B. 1992, Special Interest Tourism, London: Belhaven Press; Douglas, N., Douglas, N. and Derret, R. 2001, Special Interest Tourism, Brisbane: Wiley). The tourism consumption process has become increasingly based on an advanced level of travelling experiences and on a selective and knowledgeable set of choices of destinations according to particular needs and interests. The desire for new locality and authentic products becomes part of the motivation of visiting a place. The past and the present of those places are part of the unique experience sought by the tourist. Special interest tourism may be defined as a form of tourism which involves consumers whose holiday choice is inspired by specific motivations and whose level of satisfaction is determined by the experience they pursue. These elements will be...