ABSTRACT
For many people tourism is perhaps the antithesis of politics. The word ‘tourism’ conjures up images of leisure, free-time and play. Far away from the association with the electioneering, revolutions and power-plays that many seem to associate with politics. Yet tourism and tourism research is inextricably linked to issues of politics. Decisions affecting the location and character of tourism development arise out of politics as does, of course, whether an individual is even allowed to travel or whether certain locations, subjects or communities are available for study. For example, despite the association of travel and tourism with ‘freedom’ nowhere in international law is there enshrined a right to enter foreign spaces. Even the non-binding Universal Declaration of Human Rights postulates a right only of exit and entry to one’s own country (Article 13).
