Ian Seymour Yeoman and Daniel William Mackenzie Wright
As the Journal of Tourism Futures celebrates its 10th Anniversary, Dr Ian Yeoman (Hotel Management School Leeuwarden) interviews Dr Daniel Wright (University of Central…
Abstract
Purpose
As the Journal of Tourism Futures celebrates its 10th Anniversary, Dr Ian Yeoman (Hotel Management School Leeuwarden) interviews Dr Daniel Wright (University of Central Lancashire) about the future genre of science fiction and his publications.
Design/methodology/approach
A personal interview.
Findings
Science fiction research is about asking difficult questions, the questions we feel uncomfortable asking and answering. Science fiction is a powerful medium to imagine the future, which students love as it is provocative. In the interview, Dr Wright reflects upon his own writing from immortality to the end of the world.
Originality/value
The power of science fiction, as a genre of transformation, skepticism and thinking out of the box, is often missing in futures studies and scenario planning.
Details
Keywords
Albert Postma and Ian Seymour Yeoman
As the Journal of Tourism Futures celebrates its 10th anniversary, Dr. Albert Postma (NHL Stenden University) interviews Professor Ian Yeoman (NHL Stenden University) as co-editor…
Abstract
Purpose
As the Journal of Tourism Futures celebrates its 10th anniversary, Dr. Albert Postma (NHL Stenden University) interviews Professor Ian Yeoman (NHL Stenden University) as co-editor of the Journal of Tourism Futures and expert on scenario planning in tourism and hospitality.
Design/methodology/approach
A personal interview.
Findings
Yeoman shares his expertise on the establishment and evolution of the Journal of Tourism Futures, in the context of the growth of futures thinking in tourism within a science and industry context.
Originality/value
The interview provides insights in the evolution of futures thinking in tourism, reflected in the growth and growing reputation of the Journal of Tourism Futures.
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Jim Dator and Ian Yeoman
Futurist Jim Dator provides a personal insight of how he “sees” the past, present, and futures of Hawaiian tourism. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Abstract
Purpose
Futurist Jim Dator provides a personal insight of how he “sees” the past, present, and futures of Hawaiian tourism. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Ian Yeoman interviews one of the world's most prominent and respected futurists, Professor Jim Dator, from the Futures Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Political Science Department.
Findings
Like a climatologist, futurists discuss long‐term futures which are very uncertain, controversial, and often frightening stories. The past tells how the present occurred. Understanding that story is essential before considering the future. The growth of tourism is a fabulous story dependent on many developments whose future is uncertain. The tourism industry may want a “more of the same” trajectory of continued economic growth but a number changes are on the horizon which Dator calls “The Unholy Trinity,” namely the end of cheap and abundant energy; a profoundly unstable environment and a dysfunctional global economic system. Dator concludes that no government now governs satisfactorily, and so the future of tourism is extremely precarious and uncertain.
Originality/value
The interview provides both insight into how tourism has evolved and foresight of what could occur in the futures. Central to the interview is Dator's identification of the Unholy Trinity, Plus One, that suggests that the future will not neither be like the present nor like the future the tourism industry has hoped for in terms of continued economic growth. The originality and value of Dator's frank views are thought provoking, going beyond present wisdom and comfort.