Critical social scientific tourism research in Finland

Authors

• Outi Rantala University of Lapland
• José-Carlos García-Rosell Lapin yliopisto ja Oulun yliopisto
• Minni Haanpää Lapin yliopisto
• Anna-Emilia Haapakoski Lapin yliopisto
• Maria Hakkarainen Lapin yliopisto
• Emily Höckert Lapin yliopisto
• Salla Jutila Lapin yliopisto
• Monika Lüthje Lapin yliopisto
• Minna Nousiainen Lapin yliopisto
• Soile Veijola Lapin yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33351/mt.144364

Keywords:

Critical Tourism Studies, Responsible Tourism, Social Sciences, Participatory Approach, Relational Approach

Abstract

In this review article, tourism researchers from the University of Lapland examine themes that have become central to the critical social scientific tourism research in Finland. In recent years, themes such as new work, responsible tourism economy, slowness and proximity, multi-species approach, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity have actively constructed research that could be described as research representing the Nordic School of Tourism Research. It seeks, among other things, to deconstruct dichotomies (such as us and others, nature and culture) and takes an active position on the kinds of tourism worlds researchers are creating through their work. The critical research approach can be seen in the themes of the present review, for instance, in that several of them also highlight the role of non-human actors in addressing social scientific questions.