The Role of the Tourist Milieu in the Social Construction of the Tourist Experience

Abstract

The tourist milieu is defined as the objective projection of the subjectively experienced tourist space. Consequently, the tourist milieu of a destination is based on an informative consensus that reflects the visitors’ emotions and impressions. Due to its kaleidoscopic complexity and its dependence on human factors, the tourist milieu should be understood as a dynamic concept, thus, its assessment involves the simultaneous analysis of both subjective perceptions and objective facts.

The paper summarises the key factors contributing to the development of a destination’s successfully marketable tourist milieu. The study analyses the objectification process of subjective visitor perceptions through which the perceived image becomes a component of social awareness. The hierarchical relationships of milieu, image, sense of place and local identity are also assessed, with particular emphasis on the role of the tourist milieu in the social construction of the tourist experience.

Keywords: tourist milieu, destination, image, experience

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