Mundane ideologies of (in)hospitality: A guided coach tour

Abstract

This article explores impressions of welcome and non-welcome in relation to a guided day tour in mainland China. The study is contextualized with regard to hospitality as ethics and tourism as a stage where the struggle for hegemonic ideology occurs. It focuses upon the author’s cognitive and emotional reception of the guides’ narratives and explores the mundane ideologies of (in)hospitality present drawing upon analysis of autoethnographic notes captured through sociological impressionism. Elements of the narrative sustaining the (in)hospitality discourse are identified. The tour serves as an embodiment of national hospitality and the guide as an ideology refractor. Ideological hospitality is one of the conditioning elements embedded in the hospitality interaction. Consideration is given to how tours might be ‘rehumanized’ through a social justice and equity guiding philosophy and education. In so doing, the study contributes to discussion regarding the possibilities of a hospitable society.