Skip to product information
1 of 1

Tourism and National Identity

Regular price $139.95
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $139.95
Sold out
This book explores the role of tourism as a means to express 'nation' and 'nationhood'. Based on field research in southwest and central Scotland it shows how various historical accounts, cultural ...
Read More
  • 26 June 2014
View Product Details

This book explores the role of tourism as a means to express 'nation' and 'nationhood'. Based on field research in southwest and central Scotland it shows how various historical accounts, cultural icons and images, events and celebrations create a meaning of the Scottish nation. It examines the narratives, either explicit or implicit, produced at heritage-related tourism sites and how these become interwoven with the ideology of a nation. This volume will be of use to researchers and students in tourism and heritage studies, Scottish studies, culture and identity, nationalism and national identity; as well as to tourism and heritage industry professionals and policy-makers.

files/i.png Icon
Price: $139.95
Pages: 154
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
Imprint: Channel View Publications
Series: Tourism and Cultural Change
Publication Date: 26 June 2014
Trim Size: 8.27 X 5.83 in
ISBN: 9781845414481
Format: Hardcover
BISACs: BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, sports, leisure and tourism industries, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Cultural studies
REVIEWS Icon

This objective view of the power of Scotland’s tourism image to create and propel a dynamic political identity is refreshing and very rewarding.


— Valere Tjolle, Travel Mole

This excellent book places us right at the heart of how Scottish culture and national identity is represented through heritage tourism. It clearly shows how a country can be 'made' through tourism as it carefully selects the bits of history that reinforce both commerce and stereotypes. An essential read for anyone interested in how politics, history, place-making and heritage all get muddied in the touristic mix.



Kalyan Bhandari has carefully analysed an impressive set of sources, from icons & attractions to events & celebrations, to produce a scholarly and comprehensive volume examining the contribution of tourism to Scotland's identity and nationhood. This book is a major contribution to the literature on tourism and identity.



This book offers new perspectives on a well-known topic. Writing at a key point in the national narrative, during a period of political change, Bhandari offers a fresh and insightful approach. A new Scot, who moved to Dumfries from Nepal, he combines commentary on under-researched areas of Scotland, such as the South West, with remarks on established branding. He offers new answers to an old question: how does, and why should, tourism express nationalism?

Kalyan Bhandari is a lecturer in Events, Hospitality and Tourism at the University of the West of Scotland, UK. He has been working in tourism for 14 years and his research interests include heritage, cultural identity and representation in tourism and nationalism and national identity in tourism.

List of Illustrations 
Preface 
Acknowledgements 
1. Introduction 
2. Tourism and Nationalism in Scotland 
3. Scottish Identity in Tourism 
4. ‘Narrating’ the Scottish Nation in Tour Buses 
5. Robert the Bruce and the Regional Heritage of the Southwest 
6. The Scottish Nation in the Cultural Heritage of Robert Burns 
7. Genealogical Tourists and Homeland Nationalism 
8. Conclusions 
References