Tourist cities as embodied places of learning: walking in the “feelds” of Shanghai and Lisbon
International Journal of Tourism Cities
ISSN: 2056-5607
Article publication date: 3 July 2018
Issue publication date: 14 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Walking is considered as a particular relationship for rhythmic moving in cityscapes and as method for understanding. The purpose of this paper is to explore the significance of an embodied way of sensing and making sense, of knowing and learning that is relevant for tourism education and studies and other forms of experiential learning.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a conceptual, discursive and research-based approach based on a phenomenological understanding of embodied learning. Empirical “data” from two educational tours (Edutour) in Lisbon and Shanghai are presented, contextualized and interpreted.
Findings
Walking through cityscape related to projects is an “effective” embodied practice of learning in which senses “make sense.” The empirical material and experiences that emerged during Edutour demonstrated the significance of walking as form of embodied knowing, learning and interrelating to place and paces of a tourist city.
Originality/value
The idea of walking as method within tourist cities is hardly explored. Hence, this constitutes a unique, innovative and interpretative event in which new approaches, such as “fielding” and “reflactions” “in the feeld”, defy more traditional concepts. It emphasizes the role of the city as a medium and remains a valuable contribution for tourism and education research.
Keywords
Citation
Küpers, W. and Wee, D. (2018), "Tourist cities as embodied places of learning: walking in the “feelds” of Shanghai and Lisbon", International Journal of Tourism Cities, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 376-390. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-12-2017-0076
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, International Tourism Studies Association