Before
I start writing about unbearable temperatures and ancient Nabataean cities, I
should probably explain the purpose of this blog. My aim is to critically
examine the phenomenon of tourism, while also providing a (hopefully)
entertaining travel log of my journey to Jordan.
Naturally,
the way I view tourism and the country of Jordan can’t always be neutral. My
view, or the tourist gaze as John Urry calls it, will always be
influenced by my own thoughts and beliefs. For example, the fact that a
Jordanian woman may be severely beaten for disobeying her husband seems
backwards from my European viewpoint. That’s why my blog is called ‘A Dutch
Gaze in Jordan’; to emphasize that the tourist gaze is my gaze.
Aside
from the tourist gaze I will try to mention a broad spectrum of theories of
tourism. These may include terms such as authenticity (and the quest for it),
back- and front stage tourism, the distinction between tourists and travelers
and many more of such. These theories may sound dry or even just plain boring
to some readers, but I will try to make them come alive by applying them to a
real life setting: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Tourism is one of the most
important sectors in the Jordanian economy: Tourism is one of the largest sectors
in the Jordanian economy. Furthermore, Jordan hosts a wide array of different
forms of tourism, ranging from religious pilgrimages to nightlife exploration.
This makes Jordan a great country to apply theories of tourism.
So
stay tuned if you are at least slightly interested in theories of tourism or in
Jordan, for there is much more to come.
