Saturday, June 30, 2007

G4T #55: Mike Pesses on Authentic Spaces of Bicycle Tourism

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This is another presentation from the Association of American Geographers annual meeting in San Francisco, California, April 12-21, 2007. Here is the abstract from the AAG.org website:

Author: Michael W. Pesses - California State University, Northridge

Abstract:
In the past thirty years, bicycle touring has become a legitimate form of tourism. This paper serves as an attempt to examine bicycle touring as an "authentic" form of tourism as well as to examine how the trip affects the bicycle tourist's sense of identity. Through a qualitative analysis of the journals of bicycle tourists, this paper will look into how authentic space and authentic experiences affect the individual's concept of identity and self. The authenticity of the toured space is in constant tension with existential authenticity; one cannot exist without the other in bicycle touring. To find meaning in one's travels, and consequently in one's life, both forms of authenticity are constantly being challenged by the experience and the landscape.
Keywords: Tourism-bicycle, authenticity, landscape, produced spaces

Also mentioned in the podcast intro:


Friday, June 29, 2007

Travelography #79: Can Islam be Re-Branded? How about Fiji + Cuba?

This is a PCN Travelography Podcast related post Use the players on this page, or click the title above to listen to this podcast.

Turkmenistan welcome tourists -- and cell phones. Pakistan's tourism minister resigns after death sentence is is issued for hugging her elderly male teacher. Can Islam be re-branded for the better? Fiji hoteliers call on their military government to lighten-up. And Cuban tourism declines due to new US restrictions and higher air prices from Europe.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Travelography #78: Gas Prices, Travel Trends, and Climate Concerns

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US automobile travelers will change summer vacation plans if gas prices reach $3.50+. Australia is developing a tourism action plan on climate change, but is it enough. Travel and tourism industry leaders identify key trends affecting their industry this year, and stress over climate change perceptions.

Listen to the podcast and click on the links below for these stories.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Travelography #77: Worlds Best/Worst Tourists + Top of the World Destination

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Japanese tourists were ranked the best, but who was the worst? Record numbers of people are climbing Mt. Everest this year. An American tourist streaks nude through Nuremburg, and is caught with lame excuse. Madrid Spain Airport holds its biannual Lost and Found Auction.



NEW: Chris Christensen of the Amateur Traveler podcast sent me links to two US-based airport auctions. These are a bit dated, but it is my guess that these happen all the time, for those who are in the know:

Monday, June 04, 2007

Travelography #76: Airline News: FAA, Virgin USA, Greenland, North Pole, China

This is a PCN Travelography Podcast related post Use the players on this page, or click the title above to listen to this podcast.

  1. The US FAA will give airlines the option to either wait a storm out or fly around it.
  2. Richard Branson has received approval to start his Virgin America budget airline this summer 2007.
  3. Air Greenland launches first direct flight between the US and Greenland.
  4. LTU starts the first scenic flights to the North Pole.
  5. Direct US-China flights are set to more than double within the next five years.

Links to these five stories can be found at Travelography on PodcasterNews.com on Monday, 4 June 2007.

Friday, June 01, 2007

G4T #54: Student Podcasts: Maui, New York's Hudson Valley, Tourism News, and Yosemite NP

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Three NAU students podcast on Maui, New York's Hudson Valley, Tourism News, and Yosemite National Park.

This come out of my Spring 2007 semester class on Sustainable Tourism, and was part of the students' final project. A description of this class can be found here:

http://www.geog.nau.edu/courses/alew/pl376/schedule.html