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Dracula tourism in Romania Cultural identity and the state

Authors: Light, D.

Journal: Annals of Tourism Research

Volume: 34

Issue: 3

Pages: 746-765

ISSN: 0160-7383

DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2007.03.004

Abstract:

The state plays an important role in tourism development, in planning and policymaking, and also as the arbiter of cultural meanings. States choose to encourage forms of tourism that are consistent with their cultural and political identities. But they may have to contend with forms of demand that are beyond their control. "Dracula tourism" in Romania is one example. Founded on a place myth of Transylvania as the home of the supernatural, this activity is discordant with Romania's self-image and the way it wishes to present itself to the wider world. This paper examines the way the Romanian state has managed and negotiated such tourism, in both socialist and post-socialist contexts. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: Scopus

Preferred by: Duncan Light