Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Det extraordinäras lockelse : Luffarturistens bilder och upplevelser

Andersson Cederholm, Erika LU orcid (1999) In Arkiv avhandlingsserie 51.
Abstract
This dissertation, The Attraction of the Extraordinary - Images and Experiences Among Backpacker Tourists, is a study based on informal interviews with predominantly Swedish independent travellers, as well as observations and documentary analysis of the backpacker subculture. Backpacking is a type of tourism which has been gradually institutionalized. Through the institutionalization of the backpacker culture, social norms and typifications are crystallized and an image of the ideal trip is constructed, embracing experiences of adventure and participation in local cultures. Implicit in these qualities are the search for "the authentic" (in an existential as well as an essential sense). The "pure and unspoiled" is one aspect of... (More)
This dissertation, The Attraction of the Extraordinary - Images and Experiences Among Backpacker Tourists, is a study based on informal interviews with predominantly Swedish independent travellers, as well as observations and documentary analysis of the backpacker subculture. Backpacking is a type of tourism which has been gradually institutionalized. Through the institutionalization of the backpacker culture, social norms and typifications are crystallized and an image of the ideal trip is constructed, embracing experiences of adventure and participation in local cultures. Implicit in these qualities are the search for "the authentic" (in an existential as well as an essential sense). The "pure and unspoiled" is one aspect of authenticity, which seems to have a mythical, undisputed, quality. It is suggested that this mythical quality is maintained through the ritual, playful, nature of the tourist trip. However, the backpacker´s search for the ideal travel experience is continually frustrated through the institutionalization and commodification of this type of tourism. Such conditions are the points of departure of the analysis. The classical works of Georg Simmel have been a main theoretical source of inspiration.



The trip is described and analysed as an extraordinary life sphere, continually contrasted to the traveller´s ordinary home-bound life. The main purpose of the study is to analyse how, in their talk and actions, the travellers reproduce this dichotomy. By this contrasting activity, a distance to the extraordinary sphere is maintained, even though, paradoxically, the travellers seek to overcome the distance through their quest for authentic experiences. The contradictory conditions of the traveller are analysed in three contrasting pairs of terms: the "Planned unexpectedness", the "Attraction of hardship" and "Intimacy at a distance". Another purpose of the study is to analyse how the image of the extraordinary - with the quest for authenticity as an example - is socially constructed. A specific type of social interaction - the triad - is analysed, consisting of "the traveller", "the 'other' tourists" and "the locals". The symbolic value of money, as an important means in the interaction of the triad, is discussed.



The role of photography is analysed as an other important means for the traveller to frame the extraordinary sphere. The framing occurs on two levels: in the situation where the traveller takes the photograph, and when showing the photos back home, when the trip is over. Another way for the traveller to reproduce the dichotomy analysed in this study, is the collector´s attitude. The traveller´s search for new and unique experiences is encouraged by other travellers - often within a competitive framework - as well as within a larger social framework. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Popular Abstract in Swedish

”Luffarturismen” har blivit en populär form av resande. Många svenskar för under en tid - ibland flera månader eller år - en vagabonderande tillvaro på platser långt hemifrån. Resan blir en parentes i vardagen - en extraordinär sfär fylld av förväntningar på äventyret och den äkta upplevelsen.



Vad har resenären för bild av det ”Långtbortistan” hon lockas av, och hur skapas den bilden? Vad karaktäriserar en lyckad eller misslyckad resenär? Varför fotograferar man, eller låter bli att fotografera, och vilken roll spelar fotograferandet under resan och efter hemkomsten?



Dessa är några av de frågor som diskuteras i avhandlingen. Luffarturismens sociala arena med... (More)
Popular Abstract in Swedish

”Luffarturismen” har blivit en populär form av resande. Många svenskar för under en tid - ibland flera månader eller år - en vagabonderande tillvaro på platser långt hemifrån. Resan blir en parentes i vardagen - en extraordinär sfär fylld av förväntningar på äventyret och den äkta upplevelsen.



Vad har resenären för bild av det ”Långtbortistan” hon lockas av, och hur skapas den bilden? Vad karaktäriserar en lyckad eller misslyckad resenär? Varför fotograferar man, eller låter bli att fotografera, och vilken roll spelar fotograferandet under resan och efter hemkomsten?



Dessa är några av de frågor som diskuteras i avhandlingen. Luffarturismens sociala arena med dess aktörer, normer och gränser analyseras. En viktig utgångspunkt är de paradoxala villkor som karaktäriserar den här typen av turism. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Docent Franzén, Mats, Institute for Housing Research, Gävle
organization
alternative title
The Attraction of the Extraordinary : Images and Experiences Among Backpacker Tourists
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Sociology, collecting, backpacker culture, extraordinary sphere, authenticity, photography, money, Sociologi
in
Arkiv avhandlingsserie
volume
51
pages
224 pages
publisher
Lund University
defense location
Carolinasalen, Lund
defense date
1999-12-17 10:15:00
external identifiers
  • other:ISRN: LUSADG/SASO-99/1127/SE
ISSN
0347-4909
ISBN
917924128X
language
Swedish
LU publication?
yes
id
9882ce6b-b2d4-44a4-937d-56f9b5a625e9 (old id 19160)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:26:05
date last changed
2021-05-27 11:27:19
@phdthesis{9882ce6b-b2d4-44a4-937d-56f9b5a625e9,
  abstract     = {{This dissertation, The Attraction of the Extraordinary - Images and Experiences Among Backpacker Tourists, is a study based on informal interviews with predominantly Swedish independent travellers, as well as observations and documentary analysis of the backpacker subculture. Backpacking is a type of tourism which has been gradually institutionalized. Through the institutionalization of the backpacker culture, social norms and typifications are crystallized and an image of the ideal trip is constructed, embracing experiences of adventure and participation in local cultures. Implicit in these qualities are the search for "the authentic" (in an existential as well as an essential sense). The "pure and unspoiled" is one aspect of authenticity, which seems to have a mythical, undisputed, quality. It is suggested that this mythical quality is maintained through the ritual, playful, nature of the tourist trip. However, the backpacker´s search for the ideal travel experience is continually frustrated through the institutionalization and commodification of this type of tourism. Such conditions are the points of departure of the analysis. The classical works of Georg Simmel have been a main theoretical source of inspiration.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
The trip is described and analysed as an extraordinary life sphere, continually contrasted to the traveller´s ordinary home-bound life. The main purpose of the study is to analyse how, in their talk and actions, the travellers reproduce this dichotomy. By this contrasting activity, a distance to the extraordinary sphere is maintained, even though, paradoxically, the travellers seek to overcome the distance through their quest for authentic experiences. The contradictory conditions of the traveller are analysed in three contrasting pairs of terms: the "Planned unexpectedness", the "Attraction of hardship" and "Intimacy at a distance". Another purpose of the study is to analyse how the image of the extraordinary - with the quest for authenticity as an example - is socially constructed. A specific type of social interaction - the triad - is analysed, consisting of "the traveller", "the 'other' tourists" and "the locals". The symbolic value of money, as an important means in the interaction of the triad, is discussed.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
The role of photography is analysed as an other important means for the traveller to frame the extraordinary sphere. The framing occurs on two levels: in the situation where the traveller takes the photograph, and when showing the photos back home, when the trip is over. Another way for the traveller to reproduce the dichotomy analysed in this study, is the collector´s attitude. The traveller´s search for new and unique experiences is encouraged by other travellers - often within a competitive framework - as well as within a larger social framework.}},
  author       = {{Andersson Cederholm, Erika}},
  isbn         = {{917924128X}},
  issn         = {{0347-4909}},
  keywords     = {{Sociology; collecting; backpacker culture; extraordinary sphere; authenticity; photography; money; Sociologi}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  publisher    = {{Lund University}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  series       = {{Arkiv avhandlingsserie}},
  title        = {{Det extraordinäras lockelse : Luffarturistens bilder och upplevelser}},
  volume       = {{51}},
  year         = {{1999}},
}