The British on Holiday

This ethnographic study involves periods of participant observation of charter tourists to the resorts of Palmanova and Magaluf on Mallorca. The book focuses on three key areas of social life: space, the body, and food and drink practices to explore issues relating to understandings of and constructions of British identity.

Hazel Andrews is Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Culture and Society in the Centre for Tourism, Events and Food Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. With a particular focus on practices of embodiment, consumption, habitus and place, her research and publications examine social and symbolic constructions of national, regional and gendered identities in the context of British tourists to Mallorca. Her current research involves the application of theories of existential anthropology to understandings of tourists’ experiences and an examination of discourses of nationalism in tourism imagery. Hazel is a co-founder and an editor of the Journal of Tourism Consumption and Practice.

Hazel Andrews is Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Culture and Society in the Centre for Tourism, Events and Food Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. With a particular focus on practices of embodiment, consumption, habitus and place, her research and publications examine social and symbolic constructions of national, regional and gendered identities in the context of British tourists to Mallorca. Her current research involves the application of theories of existential anthropology to understandings of tourists' experiences and an examination of discourses of nationalism in tourism imagery. Hazel is a co-founder and an editor of the Journal of Tourism Consumption and Practice.

The British on Holiday is a valuable addition to the tourism research literature and it deserves a wide audience amongst tourism researchers, advanced tourism students and destination managers.The British on Holiday is perhaps one of a few research books which would be good to read on the beach. But it is more than that, and I urge all my colleagues to dip into it.

Sotiroula Liasidou, Intercollege Limassol–University of Nicosia, Cyprus:

Overall, this book adroitly explains and evaluates the tourism behavior in two of the most popular Mediterranean resorts.It explores the consumption patterns of British charter tourists in these famous resorts. It is an excellent and detailed representation of the active behavior of tourists while they are on holiday. Different anthropological and cultural theories are utilized in order to exemplify aspects of nationalism, identity, and consumption as a triptych against which to understand society in relation to tourism through ethnographic study.

Tom Selwyn, School of Oriental and African Studies, UK:

This is a remarkable book, for several distinct and overlapping reasons. To start with, it is a first-class ethnography. Andrews’ volume presents us with a penetrating description and analysis of the best-known destination for British holidaymakers in the Mediterranean.

Kevin Meethan, Associate Professor in Sociology, University of Plymouth, UK:

This book offers a fascinating analysis of the practices of certain forms of tourist behaviour at a micro level, while also linking these to the wider social and cultural constraints that inform and sustain them.

David Crouch, Cultural Geography, University of Derby, UK:

Andrews' book breaks new ground in critically constructive recognition and deep analysis of the experiences of charter tourists. With sound anthropological attention, habitual academic stereotypes are upturned in a consideration of individuals' feelings and thoughts alongside astute commentary on power and 'regular' life. A rare study that integrates tourism.