Narcissism normalisation: tourism influences and sustainability implications

Abstract

The concept of narcissism normalisation suggests that individuals and societies are becoming more narcissistic due to various cultural influences. Tourism is reviewed here as one such possible influence. Exploitative, entitled and exhibitionistic tendencies associated with narcissism are wellestablished in tourism. Yet tourism is also an intimate, communal and satisfying activity which may counteract narcissism. Increases in narcissism have significant implications from a sustainable tourism perspective. Narcissism is associated with exploitative and entitled behaviours that over time cause significant harm to those people and landscapes that come into contact with. Narcissism appears to be incompatible with principles of sustainability and the challenges this poses for the industry are reviewed, while the opportunities are also explored. There are signs that narcissism, particularly those aspects relating to exhibitionism, can be co-opted to benefit sustainable development.

Influencing altruistic tourist behaviour: Persuasive communication to affect attitudes and self‐efficacy beliefs

“…These are not mutually exclusive: Those people that seek mutual benefit and symbiosis (Fennell, ) immediately or later from their actions are known as reciprocal altruists (Trivers, ). Yet most of the (Western) literature focuses on promoting benefits for the self out of behaving sustainably (e.g., Hardeman, Font, & Nawijn, ; Malone, McCabe, & Smith, ; Wehrli et al, ), although both its morality and feasibility have been questioned (Canavan, ; Kilbourne & Pickett, ; Smith, ), as exemplified in relation to Paraskevaidis and Andriotis' () study on volunteer tourism. Hence, it may be time to understand the potential of selfless prosustainability acts better.…”

Exploring sustainable experiences in tourism

“…The Internet with access to social media, and faster and more inexpensive transportation systems have made many destinations more accessible to more people (Buckley, 2012;Elmahdy et al, 2017;Scott & Gössling, 2015). This has resulted in an increase in self-objectivizing tourism as visitors arrive with the main goal of taking selfies with destinations only as backdrops (Canavan, 2017;Dinhopl & Gretzel, 2016). This may cause sustainability problems at many destinations because of the unfortunate effects of the visitor's short stay giving low economic impacts, and increasing rescue operations or pollution in lack of infrastructure (Øian et al, 2018).…”

“…In part because of this trend, unfortunate behavioural effects from visitors who do not engage with host communities or natural environments pose a series of associated sustainability challenges to destinations. For instance, some scholars observe an increase in self-objectivizing tourism as visitors arrive with the main goal of taking selfies with destinations only as backdrops (Canavan, 2017;Dinhopl & Gretzel, 2016). At the same time, there is considerable research on how tourism products and services can provide visitors with experiences that fulfil multiple needs, and create plural values and associated benefits.…”

Experiencing Nature: Physical Activity, Beauty and Tension in Tatra National Park—Analysis of TripAdvisor Reviews

“…This occurs both through a lack of ecological awareness, as well as through the lack of implementation of ecological behavior despite knowledge of the problem. As Brendan Canavan noted [31], despite the growing environmental awareness, leisure is still a hedonistic experience for many tourists, far from being responsible. David Fennel [32] noted, however, that not all types of nature tourists are necessarily compatible with the environment.…”