Voices behind destination boycotts – an ecofeminist perspective

ABSTRACT

Destinations have faced boycotts for engaging in behaviour perceived by people to be unacceptable. People observe boycotts as a means to construct an ethical life through their travel purchase decisions. Despite the impacts of boycotts, few studies have been undertaken to understand destination boycotts, particularly the people who participate in boycotts. Framed in ecofeminist theory, this paper presents an analysis of Twitter users who have participated in destination boycott calls focused on China, South Africa, and Spain related to concerns about the welfare of animals. The profiles of 3493 Twitter users who participated in tourism boycott calls were analysed using content analysis. Twitter users’ profile descriptors align with the characteristics personified in ecofeminist philosophy. Thus, the findings suggest that ecofeminism can be a useful lens through which to understand activism triggered by values embodied in feminism striving towards justice in a tourism context. The findings indicate that the ecofeminist framework is applicable both as a theoretical and practical lens that aids understanding of the kinship between humans, animals, and the environment. The philosophy inherent in ecofeminism provides a strong argument that it is a political enterprise that seeks to empower human and non-human animals to address and change unacceptable practices/policies.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecofeminism
• tourism boycotts
• welfare of animals
• Twitter
• political consumerism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ismail Shaheer

Ismail Shaheer is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Tourism, University of Otago. His research focuses on tourist behaviour, ethics, social media, and media-induced tourism. Before undertaking his doctorate at the University of Otago in New Zealand, he worked at the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (now Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation) for more than 10 years marketing the Maldives as a tourist destination.

Neil Carr

Neil Carr is Professor in the Department of Tourism, University of Otago. His research focuses on understanding behaviour within tourism and leisure experiences; with a particular emphasis on children and families, sex and animals.

Andrea Insch

Andrea Insch is an Associate Professor at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Before undertaking her doctorate at Griffith University in Brisbane, Andrea worked at Queensland's Department of State Development. In 2005 Andrea moved to New Zealand to join the Marketing Department at the Otago Business School. Andrea's research expertise is inter-disciplinary, connecting marketing, urban studies and tourism. Andrea is the Book Review Editor and Regional Editor (Australia and New Zealand) for Place Branding & Public Diplomacy.