Commentary

Abstract

Let me begin this commentary by endorsing Peter Laurie's appeal for tourism studies from an historical and political-economic perspective. It is encouraging to find anthropologists critically examining the lack of either perspective in much tourism-related theory. Given the recent postmodern emphasis upon reflexivity and native voice, I agree that anthropology has something critically constructive to offer tourism studies. It is time that authors of tourism ethnographies and analyses openly address their own different values with which they approach their work. Further, it is time we heard the local voice on tourism-related issues.