Yaniv Belhassen

Regardless of one's perspective on the relationship between paid work, leisure, and social order, it is widely accepted that paid work is a central activity in light of which one may examine this linkage. There are rare cases in which the freedom associated with leisure choices explicitly challenges the existing social order and the values on which it is founded. Types of leisure that are not in harmony with the core values of society have been discussed under the conceptual category of deviant leisure. Inspired by previous work on leisure and the social order, as well as by some observations on Israeli society during the pandemic, this paper offers some reflections on the possible theoretical contribution of the concept of deviant leisure to the study of the interconnection between work, leisure, and the social order.

This study explores reconciliation tourism initiatives in Israel and the West Bank as a discursive arena in which ideas about reconciliation are constructed for tourism purposes by eight organizations that offer travel experiences that include reconciliation as a major theme. By critically analyzing the manner in which ideas about reconciliation are constructed for tourism purposes, the research provides insights into issues of reconciliation in destinations with active conflict. The presentation of fieldwork data centers on three themes: the recognition of multiple narratives, the inclusiveness of victimhood, and the commitment to transformative ontology. Each theme is supported by evidence and discussed in relation to its theoretical frameworks. Implications are drawn for practitioners tasked with marketing reconciliation tourism initiatives in conflict-ridden destinations.

In the wake of the early liberal policies of the Dutch government, coffee shops in Amsterdam have become famous for their outright sale and free use of cannabis-related products. Based on a sample of 654 Chinese tourists who consumed cannabis during their vacation in the city, this study proposes three clusters of cannabis tourists: cannabis enthusiasts, diversionists/recreationists, and the curious. Significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics and behavioural intentions were detected among these clusters. In light of the commercialization of cannabis in other destinations across the world, the research proceeded to discuss theoretical and practical implications for marketers and managers in the tourism industry.