The Tourist Gaze (John Urry)

The Tourist Gaze, by John Urry, refers to how tourists see and interpret the places they visit. It suggests that tourists view destinations through certain expectations and desires shaped by media, culture, and personal interests. This gaze influences what parts of a place are noticed, appreciated, or ignored, often framing locations as idealized or commodified for tourism. Essentially, the Tourist Gaze explains how our perceptions of places are constructed by cultural narratives and how these perceptions guide our travel experience. It highlights the subjective and socially influenced nature of how we experience tourism destinations.