Yaniv Belhassen

Drugs and Tourists’ Experiences

This study investigates the nature of drug-related tourist experiences from a phenomenological perspective. Based on 30 in-depth interviews with drug tourists and additional ethnographic data collected at various destinations of drug tourism, the empirical analysis yields four relevant insights: (1) drug-related tourist experiences are heterogeneous in nature and might involve either a pursuit of mere pleasure or a quest for profound and meaningful experiences; (2) for those who consume drugs for pleasure, the tourist experience is an intensified extension of their leisure routine; (3) the usage of drugs while traveling is not necessarily a form of escape from the reality of everyday life; and (4) the search for meaningful tourist experiences through drugs might involve the tourist’s attempt to engage in either “authentic” aspects of the local culture or drug-related subcultures.

Fundamentalist Christian pilgrimages as a political and cultural force.

Based on fieldwork on a Midwestern American grassroots organization that conducts evangelical tours to Israel, this paper seeks to enrich analysis of the pilgrimage experience by suggesting a more contextualized approach to its study. To illustrate the implementation of the contextualized perspective, three thematic examples from the fieldwork are presented: mens emotional expression; religious deeds and their political meanings; and a case on the theo-political symbolism embedded in evangelical pilgrimage itineraries. It is argued that understanding not only the theological but also the historical, socio-cultural and political contexts in which evangelical tours operate can illuminate the way individual pilgrims construe meaning during their travel experiences. The paper concludes by suggesting that each of the examined examples illustrates the role of the pilgrimage as a cohesive force in the evangelical sub-culture.

Three Tales of a City Stakeholders’ Images of Eilat as a Tourist Destination

Research on destination image has predominantly focused on tourists’ perceptions, with only limited attention being paid to the other stakeholders of the destination. The present study seeks to address this oversight by examining the images that tourists, local residents, and the tourism sector have formed of Eilat, a prominent resort town in Israel. Analysis was based on a sample of 608 stakeholders. Results indicate that there were significant differences in perceptions between the three stakeholder groups in regard to 27 of the 30 destination attributes examined. Tourists held the most favorable image of Eilat, while local residents chose the lowest scores for all destination attributes. The study expands current understandings of stakeholder theory in destination marketing and delineates practical implications for sustainable marketing and the design of internal campaigns aiming to enhance stakeholders’ images of the destination.

Cannabis usage in tourism : A sociological perspective

Abstract The present study aims to investigate the social forces that shape tourists’ motives in consuming cannabis while on vacation. The underlying premise of this paper is that cannabis consumption in tourism is driven and influenced by the wider process of the normalization of cannabis use in Western societies and, therefore, should be examined in this context. Using a grounded theory approach, this study suggests four umbrella groups of motivations to consume cannabis while traveling: experimentation, pleasure and diversion‐seeking, quest for authenticity, and accessible purchasing. Each category is illuminated and discussed, respectively, in the light of four theoretical explanations: loosening of social control, the leisure behavioral continuum, shaping and manifestation of social identity, and smuggling as a deviant career. Given the lack of previous research, it is suggested that these explanations can be viewed as an initial framework for further investigation of this under‐explored topic. The paper concludes by examining several theoretical and epistemological issues revolving around the relationships between cannabis use, tourism and everyday life.

Destination image, on-site experience and behavioural intentions: path analytic validation of a marketing model on domestic tourists

Despite its contribution to the national economy, domestic tourism is one of the most neglected and under-researched forms of tourism in the literature. This study tested an integrated path model examining the interrelationships between destination image, perceived quality, satisfaction and behavioural intentions, using domestic tourists who visited Eilat, Israel. The findings support the hierarchical relationships between image, quality, satisfaction and behavioural intentions. In addition, the affective image component was found to exert a far greater impact on the overall destination image than the cognitive component. The study establishes a better understanding of domestic tourists’ destination image and behavioural intention formulation. It also provides a number of implications for destination managers targeting the voluminous domestic segment.

Tourism, faith and politics in the Holy Land: an ideological analysis of evangelical pilgrimage

This article aims to enhance the discussion of the role of ideology in the development of tourism practices through a closer examination of the case of Christian pilgrimage. The analysis focuses on the theo-political ideology of Christian Zionism and its roles and manifestations in the context of evangelical pilgrimages to Israel. Findings suggest that ideological dynamics within the development of these tours can be discussed by distinguishing between four tourism actors, namely, ideological organizations, tour organizers, Israeli officials, and the tourists. We suggest that these actors can be differentiated from each other in accordance with their ideological roles and orientations. Additionally, by demonstrating the similar utilization of pilgrimage by theo-political opponents of Christian Zionism, such as Sabeel and FOSNA, this article illustrates how pilgrimage to the Holy Land has become an arena for competition between these two rival ideologies within the Evangelical movement. The article concludes with a discussion on the role of pilgrimages to Israel as a platform through which theo-political ideologies are manifested, distributed, utilized, and consumed.

Eilat Syndrome: Deviant Behavior Among Temporary Hotel Workers

Based on primary and secondary data, it is argued that the unique characteristics of Eilat as a remote resort town situated on the historical and cultural margins of Israeli society combine to produce a liminal image that attracts hotel employees prone to substance abuse during what they view as a temporary sojourn in the city. In addition, this liminal image presumably shapes the perception of these temporary employees regarding their sojourn in the town on a transitional job during the period of time between their national/military service and civilian life. This article delineates the sociocultural, organizational, and legal conditions leading to the occurrence of this behavioral syndrome.

Work Alienation, Patterns of Substance Use and Country of Origin among Male Hospitality Workers in Israel

This prospective study examined the relationship between work alienation, country of origin and substance use among male hospitality workers in Israel. Results show work alienation more prevalent among Former Soviet Union origin males and those workers who binge drink and use cannabis (i.e., marijuana and/or hashish). Given the paucity of literature on hospitality workers, this brief report contributes to understanding an issue that is neither well understood nor adequately addressed. Further research is needed to validate these findings both in Israel and other countries so that such information can be useful for hotel employment and management policies as well as employee assistance programs.

Binge drinking among Israeli hospitality workers: Gender and country of origin differences

Aims: This study focused on binge drinking use among Israeli hospitality workers. Methods: A purposive sample of 430 male and female workers of Israeli and former Soviet Union (FSU) origin was interviewed in the resort town of Eilat, Israel. Findings: Last 30-day binge drinking was reported by 43% of the workers. Males binge drink more than females; Israeli origin workers binge drink more than those of FSU origin. Conclusion: This study shows gender and country of origin status associated with binge drinking among hospitality workers. Further research is needed to validate these findings and to understand the impact of other cultural factors that relate to gender status and immigrant acculturation for policy and prevention purposes, especially among young adults who, as a group, report a high level of alcohol use.

Rock of our salvation: ideological production at the Christian youth music festival

ABSTRACT Christian youth music festivals (CYMFs) are an important niche sector in the realm of large-scale leisure events. In line with the recent turn towards exploring festivals and events as spaces of cultural production and articulation, this compressed time ethnographic study analyses two very different Protestant CYMFs – one of which is affiliated with conservative Christianity and one of which is affiliated with counterculture Christianity – and investigates the way these leisure spaces function as sites where ideologies are produced and religious identities constructed. It concludes that, despite the festivals’ differences in ideological orientation, both events draw on the mechanisms of leveraged liminality, embodied performativity, and youthful impressionability to advance their respective ends. The paper thus seeks to highlight the ideological importance of leisure event management.