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Performative Identity and Belonging in Immigrant-Led Tours: A Study of Guides' Negotiations in In-Between Spaces

Tran, Quoc Son LU and Wu, Dongmin (2025) SMMM40 20251
Department of Service Studies
Abstract
This thesis investigates how immigrant tour guides negotiate identity and belonging through the act of guiding tourists from their country of origin in their country of residence. The study frame tours not merely as cultural encounters but as performative and affective spaces of self-representation. Focusing exclusively on the guides’ perspectives, it draws on semi-structured interviews with immigrant guides across urban contexts in Europe, Asia, and North America to examine how they navigate complex emotional, cultural, and social dynamics. Grounded in theories such as cultural brokerage, narrative identity, the politics of belonging, in-betweenness, and translocational positionality, the thesis conceptualizes identity as emergent and... (More)
This thesis investigates how immigrant tour guides negotiate identity and belonging through the act of guiding tourists from their country of origin in their country of residence. The study frame tours not merely as cultural encounters but as performative and affective spaces of self-representation. Focusing exclusively on the guides’ perspectives, it draws on semi-structured interviews with immigrant guides across urban contexts in Europe, Asia, and North America to examine how they navigate complex emotional, cultural, and social dynamics. Grounded in theories such as cultural brokerage, narrative identity, the politics of belonging, in-betweenness, and translocational positionality, the thesis conceptualizes identity as emergent and performative, and belonging as partial, situated, and emotionally charged. Central to the analysis is the original Cyclical In-Betweenness Model, which captures the recursive nature of identity work through phases of sustained in-betweenness, hybrid performance, narrative brokerage under power asymmetries, and moments of (non)belonging. By centering the lived experiences of guides, the thesis reframes guiding as recursive identity labour shaped by visibility, voice, and care, positioning guides not simply as cultural intermediaries but as reflexive subjects navigating relational vulnerabilities and co-constructed narratives of belonging. (Less)
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author
Tran, Quoc Son LU and Wu, Dongmin
supervisor
organization
course
SMMM40 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Belonging, Cultural brokerage, Identity negotiation, Immigrant tour guides, In-betweenness, Migration, Narrative identity, Performative self-representation
language
English
id
9206390
date added to LUP
2025-08-04 11:21:29
date last changed
2025-08-04 11:21:29
@misc{9206390,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates how immigrant tour guides negotiate identity and belonging through the act of guiding tourists from their country of origin in their country of residence. The study frame tours not merely as cultural encounters but as performative and affective spaces of self-representation. Focusing exclusively on the guides’ perspectives, it draws on semi-structured interviews with immigrant guides across urban contexts in Europe, Asia, and North America to examine how they navigate complex emotional, cultural, and social dynamics. Grounded in theories such as cultural brokerage, narrative identity, the politics of belonging, in-betweenness, and translocational positionality, the thesis conceptualizes identity as emergent and performative, and belonging as partial, situated, and emotionally charged. Central to the analysis is the original Cyclical In-Betweenness Model, which captures the recursive nature of identity work through phases of sustained in-betweenness, hybrid performance, narrative brokerage under power asymmetries, and moments of (non)belonging. By centering the lived experiences of guides, the thesis reframes guiding as recursive identity labour shaped by visibility, voice, and care, positioning guides not simply as cultural intermediaries but as reflexive subjects navigating relational vulnerabilities and co-constructed narratives of belonging.}},
  author       = {{Tran, Quoc Son and Wu, Dongmin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Performative Identity and Belonging in Immigrant-Led Tours: A Study of Guides' Negotiations in In-Between Spaces}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}