Mireille Van Dooren

Looking Through the Binoculars of a Tourist:: an Analysis of the Host-guest Relationship Between Tourists and a Himba Tribe Mireille Van Dooren

About the phenomenon of host-guest relationship have been written numerous articles by various authors. For this reason, there exist several theories concerning this subject. This book examines these theories with an open perspective. This means that in this book, it is attempted to have a look at host-guest relationship with the less prejudices as possible. The focus of this book lies on the relation between tourists and a Himba tribe. The Himba tribe is a traditional tribe with a significant culture living in Namibia. Most importantly what is concluded in this book is that tourists are looking for an authentic experience. Tourists visiting a traditional tribe expect a real authentic experience. Nevertheless, there are western influences to be recognised in a Himba culture. As a consequence, this creates a conflict for tourists, as they expect ?traditional tribes' which means; tribes which are still living according to their ancient culture wherein no western influences are to be recognised. But is this image tourists have realistic? Where is this image based upon? How do tourists experience a visit? This book will provide an insight into this phenomenon.