Consuming Experiences: The Business and Technologies of Tourism

A Conference at the Center for the History of Business, Technology and Society
Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington Delaware

November 12 and 13, 2004

Tourism includes many practices in modern societies as it encompasses the sensual and the practical, the sublime as well as the prosaic. For a conference on November 5 and 6, 2004 the Center for the History of Business, Technology, and Society seeks proposals for papers that explore the practices, businesses, institutions, and technologies that have fabricated tourism as a means of creating “consuming experiences.” Proposals may consider any portion of the globe since the mid-18th century and tourism of any variety. We are interested in histories of travel agencies; railway, air, bus travel and steamship lines; resorts, spas and hotels; commercial photography and film; organized tours including eco-tourism; guides, guidebooks, and the training of tourism managers; and much else. Papers may come from any discipline but need to be historically grounded. Studies drawing on prescriptive literatures or considering identity are welcome so long as they are situated in actual practices of tourism. Conference papers (following revisions) will be eligible for inclusion in a volume published in the Routledge series, Hagley Perspectives on Business and Culture series. Proposals are due by March 1, 2004 and should be sent in hard copy or as attachments to the contact below. Support may be available for travel to the conference by presenters.