The Routledge Handbook of Popular Culture and Tourism by Lundberg Christine; Ziakas Vassilios; & Vassilios Ziakas

Author:Lundberg, Christine; Ziakas, Vassilios; & Vassilios Ziakas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2018-06-14T00:00:00+00:00

Figure 21.3 U2 exhibition at the Little Museum, Dublin, Ireland.

Source: author’s own photo.

Implications for popular culture tourism

Music fans as tourists are characterized by many different motives and behaviors with both individual and social dimensions. Previously established categories of motives, such as the push and pull continuum, in tourism research prove not to be sufficient for a comprehensive understanding of music fans as tourists. Instead, a more complex set of motives need to be considered where greater emphasis is put on a variety of elements of psychological, socio-cultural, and social belonging. Specifically, the empirical results presented in this chapter suggest that individual dimensions of fandom, such as the elicited emotions from being involved, are important aspects of motivation to travel to places associated with the music/band. Furthermore, social dimensions are also important factors to consider and further explore both in an online and offline context. Therefore, it is suggested that elements such as atmosphere or belongingness need to be considered especially in the context of Internet activity, such as interaction in social media. Also, group-related dimensions, such as emotional involvement with a group, are important in explaining motives and behavior, which is particularly evident from the importance of Internet activity and online interaction with other fans. Little is also known about how individual and social dimensions of music fans as tourists contribute to expectations, experiencing as well as value and satisfaction in the pre-, during and post-trip phases. For instance, how does intrinsic motivation to engage with the phenomenon, such as listening to music, when planning the trip influence the experience of emotional and social involvement at a concert or in a museum? Moreover, what influence does that have on the creation of motives to travel more or engage in tribal communication and practice? Or, how does the evolving interest in a popular culture phenomenon transform into a life time of fan-related travel? Concepts such as learning and adding new experiences and knowledge most likely influence the extent to which travelling fans lose or gain interest and pursue or abandon popular culture travel.

Like the title of the ABBA song, “Slipping Through My Fingers,” establishing valid and reliable knowledge on music fans’ identity formation from an individual and social aspect and its importance in explaining fan activity, such as popular culture tourism, remains to be further studied. Research is inconclusive in regards to what role the concept of identity and self actually play in individual and social dimensions of motivation and behavior of music fans and tourists. It seems as if passive and active fans have different profiles but not necessarily fans and non-fans. Therefore, the notion that there is a certain profile or personality of people that make them fans and that they are hence different to other people, is not supported by research.

The practical implications of research on music fans as tourists are related to both marketing and management of destinations and popular culture tourism events and attractions. A more in-depth understanding, knowing me knowing you, of the complex interrelationships

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