Childhood experience and (de)diasporisation: Potential impacts on the tourism industry

Abstract

Purpose: This study is addressing the dearth of research regarding children in the tourism industry and cognate sectors, alongside contributing to existing literature on diaspora, and diaspora tourism. Methods: In order to get the most reliable results, triangulation, which is a form of mixed methods, that enables to view a topic from more than one perspective, is used. Results: Post-colonial, post-conflict, and post-disaster destinations are relying heavily on their diaspora not only for the survival of their tourism industry, but more generally speaking for their economic and social sustainability. It is therefore very important for the country of origin to main a strong link with the members of the diaspora, whether they belong to the first or second generation onward of the diaspora. The main challenge is to keep the connection with the younger generation. The results of this study reveal that childhood experience of the country of origin is a transformative tool which can lead to either dediasporisation (if negative), or transnational attachment (if positive). Implications: Destination Marketing Organisations therefore need to put in place suitable events (and activities) which are based on an edutainment and advertainment model, while applying other key principles. If successful, it is expected that children will go through three different stages: young diaspora thinkers, actioners; and transformers.