Current Issues in Tourism
Editor: C. Michael Hall (Department of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand) and Chris Cooper (Foundation Professor of Tourism, University of Queensland, Australia) Michael and Chris are joint editor of the book series Aspects of Tourism. Reviews Editor John Jenkins (University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia)
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Volume: 3 Number: 1 Page: 20–34
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Utopian Tourists – Cruising is Not Just About Sailing
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Jim MacBeth
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Arguably, all tourists are looking to fulfil dreams that involve some sense of a 'utopian' ideal, whether in the 'arms' of an ancient civilisation or relaxing on a beach, free of work-a-day worries. Similarly,
the growth of ecotourism and adventure tourism represents touristic attempts to fulfil utopian dreams denied the urban resident. For most tourists, these utopian dreams are played out in the year's annual
holiday. Other tourists move beyond the confines of this time capsule because they have no intention of going 'home' - their 'escape attempts' become a whole way of life. This paper brings together the
sociology of tourism and of alter native lifestyles to understand the nature of a utopian subculture, long-term ocean yacht cruising. While by most definitions these people are tourists, in relation to
other sociological concepts they are a utopian 'community' which espouses not only an explicit social critique but also utopian lifestyle goals. While our notions of 'utopian' thinking tend to a collective,
not all those who seek utopian alternatives to mainstream society do so within the 'collective' community. A social critique and a vision of a better lifestyle can be expressed in more individuated action.
This paper shows how a traveller subculture expresses these issues.
© Channel View Publications 1999
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