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The bohemian imaginary in the society of the spectacle

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  • Varley, Peter
  • Barry, Kaya

Abstract

The emancipatory promise of bohemia as a realm of free expression is inextricably woven into the desires and dreams of tourism. The bohemian drive for unmediated authentic experiences is ironically deeply interrelated with tourism's progress as an instrument of advanced capitalism, and hard to achieve. Contributing to the literature on touristic authenticity and alienation, tourism imaginaries of bohemia are posited as an elusive commodified spectacle, following Debord's central ideas. As such, we extend theoretical debate troubling tourism's strained relationship with authentic experience, and further underline its exploitative, denaturing and alienating character.

Suggested Citation

  • Varley, Peter & Barry, Kaya, 2025. "The bohemian imaginary in the society of the spectacle," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:112:y:2025:i:c:s0160738325000441
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2025.103938
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    References listed on IDEAS

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