Testing take-up of academic concepts in an influential commercial tourism publication

Abstract

Many independent travelers read and rely on the Lonely Planet® destination guidebooks. In 2006 the company published two global selections which effectively define its perspectives on adventure, culture and ecotourism. By analysing the content of these volumes, we can test whether information reaching individual tourists is congruent with relevant theoretical constructs. Broadly, it is: but it is less precise, comprehensive or up to date than published research, and relies more on example than synthesis. In addition, it has a strong emphasis on social aspects, commonly described as community ecotourism. Opportunities such as this, to analyse the affects of academic tourism research on commercial tourism publishing, are relatively rare.

Keywords: adventure, code, destination, ecotourism, guidebooks, responsible