Consuming experiences

This paper draws on the work of Pine and Gilmore (1999). It applies their model of economic progression to leisure and tourism in general and specifically to a tour of Vietnam. The model espouses four economic distinctions of commodities, goods, services and experiences. The development of the coffee bean is used to illustrate the four economic distinctions. Later, distinctions are emphasised into diverse areas of a tour. The landscape of the experience realms is further elaborated as having four aspects : entertainment, educational, escapist and aesthetic. Descriptive evidence shows how leisure and tourism fit into the template of the four economic distinctions and within the experience realms. Where there is a blurring of boundaries in the realms as in a location of spectacular scenery, the four aspects merge to provide the richest experiences. The paper concludes with Pine and Gilmore (1999) adding a fifth distinction : guided transformation. The implications for leisure and tourism promotion are to advance the marketing of experiences for individuals with a view to progress towards transforming lifestyles

Aesthetics · Art · Entertainment · Geography · Merge (version control · Political science · Promotion (chess · Sociology · Tourism · Tourism geography · Visual arts · Computer Science · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts