Creative Tourism: A Humanistic Paradigm in Practice

Abstract

A humanistic paradigm framework is used to examine leading practices in contemporary creative tourism, with a particular focus on the rural and small city context. These experiences are drawn from a research-and-application project, CREATOUR, which catalyzed a network of 40 creative tourism initiatives in Portugal. Focusing on eight initiatives, it examines the ways in which creative tourism strategies and practices embody and advance a humanistic paradigm. We find that creative tourism promotes human flourishing, engages the other in a journey of mutual discovery, honors the dignity of each stakeholder, and contributes to the common good in intriguing ways.