Tourism and Hospitality Theories: A Working Reference

Professor Bob McKercher has compiled a working reference of theories specific to tourism and hospitality. The list, drawing on contributions from TRINET members and other sources, gathers theories that meet the basic criteria of robust theory, offering a starting point for researchers building theoretical foundations in the field.

Before getting to the list, it is useful to set the context: theory in a social science setting is, as Professor McKercher and Professor Prideaux note in Understanding Tourism (2024), an ill-defined notion. Different authors approach it differently. Cooper and Schindler (2014) define theory as systematically interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions advanced to define and predict phenomena. Yeoman and Currie (2019) describe it as a body of logically interconnected propositions that provides an interpretive basis for understanding phenomena. Lee and Lu (2023) frame theories as well-reasoned, logical arguments concerning the nature of causal relationships between causes and outcomes. Within tourism specifically, Dann, Nash, and Pearce (1988) defined theory as a body of logically interconnected propositions that provide an interpretive basis for understanding phenomena.

What counts as theory

Wacker (1998) sets out four criteria that theory must meet. It must have conceptual definitions in clear, common language; domain limitations specifying the exact setting where it can be applied; relationship-building qualities that logically assemble causal relationships between variables; and the ability to predict relationships and offer internally consistent predictions in the real world.

Sutton and Staw (1995) take the question from the other direction by identifying what theory is NOT. Theory, they argue, is not references; it is not variables or lists of constructs; it is not data; it is not diagrams; and it is not hypotheses or predictions on their own.

Does tourism have its own theory?

The question of whether tourism has its own theory remains open. Smith and Lee (2010) felt the field was beginning to see the nascent development of tourism-specific theory. Ritchie, Sheehan, and Timur (2008) similarly pointed to the early development of core tourism theory as distinct from theory developed in other disciplines and applied to tourism. To them, part of what makes tourism a contested field of inquiry is precisely the difficulty of distinguishing core tourism theory from theory imported from elsewhere. Theory that is core to tourism, they suggest, is specific to the field and not readily generalisable to other disciplines, and is inherently multi-disciplinary.

Tourism and hospitality specific theories

The following list, compiled from TRINET members and other sources, gathers theories that appear to comply with the conditions for being considered theory. Some are more robust than others, some may be open to challenge, and the list is by no means complete. It is offered as a starting point, not a final word.

Competitive destination

Ritchie, J. R. B., & Crouch, G. (2003). The Competitive Destination: A sustainable tourism perspective. CABI Cambridge.

Crisis management

Ritchie, B. W. (2009). Crisis and disaster management for tourism. Channel View Publications.

Crisis recovery

Faulkner, B., & Vikulov, S. (2001). Katherine, washed out one day, back on track the next: A post-mortem of a tourism disaster. Tourism Management, 22(4), 331–344.

Destination competitiveness

Dwyer, L., & Kim, C. (2003). Destination competitiveness: Determinants and indicators. Current Issues in Tourism, 6(5), 369–414.

Destination development

Lambkin, M., & Day, G. S. (1989). Evolutionary processes in competitive markets: Beyond the product lifecycle. Journal of Marketing, 53(3), 4–20.

Destination evolution

Butler, R. W. (1980). The Concept of Tourism Area Cycle of Evolution: the implications for management of resources. The Canadian Geographer, 24, 5–12.

Destination-market matrix

McKercher, B. (1995). The Destination-Market Matrix. Journal of Tourism and Travel Marketing, 4(2), 23–40.

Doxey's Irridex

Doxey, G. V. (1975). A causation theory of visitor-resident irritants: methodology and research inferences. Travel and Tourism Research Associations Sixth Annual Conference Proceedings, 195–198.

Emotional labour in hospitality

Lashley, C. (2002). Emotional harmony, dissonance and deviance at work. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 14(5), 255–257.

Force-field of tourism knowledge

Tribe, J. (2006). The Truth about Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 33(2), 360–381.

Habit-enjoyment-effort theory

Dolnicar, S., Grün, B., & MacInnes, S. (2023). Drivers of pro-environmental consumer behaviour: Time for new theories?

Hospitality encounter model

Lashley, C., & Morrison, A. (2010). In search of hospitality. Routledge.

Integrating tourism, leisure and recreation

Murphy, P. (1985). Tourism: A Community Approach. Routledge, London.

Leisure paradox

Cooper, C., Fletcher, J., Gilbert, D., Shepherd, R., & Wanhill, S. (1998). Tourism Principles and Practices (2nd ed.). Addison-Wesley, Longman.

Liminality and the tourist experience

Jafari, J. (1987). Tourism Models: The sociocultural aspects. Tourism Management, 8(2), 151–159.

Market appeal / robusticity matrix

du Cros, H. (2001). A New Model to Assist in Planning for Sustainable Cultural Heritage Tourism. International Journal of Tourism Research, 8(2), 165–170.

Marketing system model

Mathieson, A., & Wall, G. (1982). Tourism: Economic, Physical and Social Impacts. Longman, London.

Open tourism system

Mill, R. C., & Morrison, A. M. (1985). The Tourism System: An Introductory Text. Prentice Hall, NJ.

Push / pull motive

Dann, G. M. S. (1977). Anomie, Ego-Enhancement and Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 4(4), 184–194.

Resident tourist relationship

Ap, J. (1992). Residents' perceptions of tourism impacts. Annals of Tourism Research, 19, 665–690.

Resort development spectrum

Prideaux, B. (2000). The resort development spectrum: a new approach to modelling resort development. Tourism Management, 21(3), 225–240.

Safety-security cycle

Tarlow, P. E. (2009). Tourism safety and security (pp. 464–480). Sage, London.

Seasons and seasonality

McKercher, B., Thompson, M., & Prideaux, B. (2024). The impact of changing seasons on in-destination tourist behaviour. Tourism Review, 79(6), 1197–1209.

Service-profit chain

Sasser, W. E., Schlesinger, L. A., & Heskett, J. L. (1997). Service profit chain. Simon and Schuster.

Strangeness vs familiarity / environmental bubble

Cohen, E. (1972). Toward a Sociology of International Tourism. Social Research, 39(1), 164.

Targeted interception theory of behaviour change

Dolnicar, S., Greene, D., & Zinn, A. (2024). Targeted interception theory of behaviour change as a basis for developing effective behaviour change interventions in tourism. Current Issues in Tourism, 1–12.

Tourism product taxonomy

McKercher, B. (2016). Towards a Taxonomy of Tourism Products. Tourism Management, 54, 196–208.

Tourism system model

Leiper, N. (1990). Tourism systems: An interdisciplinary perspective. Massey University, New Zealand.

Tourism wellbeing (DREAMA)

Filep, S., Moyle, B. D., & Skavronskaya, L. (2022). Tourist Wellbeing: Re-Thinking Hedonic and Eudaimonic Dimensions. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 48(1), 184–193.

Tourist attractions system

Leiper, N. (1990). Tourist Attraction Systems. Annals of Tourism Research, 17(3), 367–384.

Tourist flow patterns (Oppermann)

Oppermann, M. (1992). Intranational tourist flows in Malaysia. Annals of Tourism Research, 19(3), 482–500.

Tourist flow patterns (Lue, Crompton, Fesenmaier)

Lue, C. C., Crompton, J. L., & Fesenmaier, D. R. (1993). Conceptualization of multi-destination pleasure trips. Annals of Tourism Research, 20(2), 289–301.

Tourist gaze

Urry, J. (1990). The Tourist Gaze. SAGE Publications, London.

Tourist motivation

Crompton, J. (1979). Motivations of pleasure vacations. Annals of Tourism Research, 6(4), 408–424.

Tourist psychographics (allocentrism / psychocentrism)

Plog, S. (1974). Why Destination Areas Rise and Fall in Popularity. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Quarterly, 14(4), 55–58.

Tourist satisfaction index

Song, H., Van der Veen, R., Li, G., & Chen, J. L. (2012). The Hong Kong tourist satisfaction index. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(1), 459–479.

Tourist typology (diversionary to existential)

Cohen, E. (1979). A Phenomenology of Tourist Experiences. Sociology, 13, 170–201.

Travel career pattern

Pearce, P., & Lee, U. I. (2005). Developing the Travel Career Approach to Tourist Motivation. Journal of Travel Research, 43, 226–237.

Vacation destination choice

Crompton, J. (1992). Structure of vacation destination choice sets. Annals of Tourism Research, 19(3), 420–434.