Vulnerabilities in tourism scholarship – scholars’ plea for a viable future

Abstract

This special issue of Tourism Recreation Research (TRR) was proposed to celebrate the memory of Tej Vir Singh (Tej Vir), the founding editor of TRR who departed in April 2021. One way, among others, to offer tribute to academics is to celebrate their ideas through discourses and writings. The co-joined themes of vulnerability and viability encapsulate Tej Vir’s life-long attempt to approach the subject of tourism with a level-mindedness – i.e. applying the Goldilocks Principle. He used the principle in his own writings, in fulfilling his editorial responsibilities towards TRR and in his supervisory métier – tempering the yin with the yang and vice versa. In his sagacity, tourism and its ‘fate’ is in our hands – for us to mould and refine according to our ethos and in concurrence with tourism’s critical realities. Hence, his assertion that tourism was much sinned against than sinning – a belief that eventually became the focus of dialogue in Tourism Recreation Research (Research Probe section of Vol. 38(3), 2013) and summarized ahead. From this vantage point, tourism is just as vulnerable as is viable! (Singh, 2015). The vulnerability–viability dichotomy is seen to be reflecting Keith Hollinshead’s perspectives in his (Keith’s) writings on tourism scholarship (on its realities and propositions), for which he was approached to join in this endeavour. My invitation for him to co-walk this path was graciously accepted. Thus, began our preparations and the actualization of this joint project. I have met Keith in his writings though never in person – and feel blessed for having known him albeit so briefly. For a scholar of much prominence and seniority to be so magnanimous in his interactions was an enrichment for me. We started our work with a clear understanding of each other’s forte to ensure efficiency and cheerfulness. Then, suddenly in late September of 2022, the tourism academic community was struck by the news of Keith’s demise. The subsequent stream of condolences and messages was simply numbing. Amidst honouring the memory of one stalwart (Tej Vir), we suffered the anguish of losing yet another (Keith) – the contributors and I felt impoverished mid-way. The effect was numbing, and the work on the theme issue came to a stand-still. Thus, it remained for several weeks, even though the responsibility of taking the special issue to fruition became imperative to honouring my collaboration with Keith. Encouragement and support to resume this task came from the contributors of this issue, whose quiet fortitude, reserve and resolve bespoke of their respect for and commitment to Keith and our collective cause (see ‘remembering Keith Hollinshead’ at the end). The contributors of this special issue of TRR join me in dedicating this outcome to Keith Hollinshead – our friend, colleague, mentor and inspiration... ...Om Shanti.