Journal of Tourism and Development

Journal of Tourism and Development

Identifying the Educable Components for Children through Child Tourism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Shakori 1
Zahra Raji 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Social Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD student in Social Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jtd.2024.413896.2817
Abstract
 The emergence of a discourse emphasing on tourism as a right for all people in all age groups has led to the development of various forms of tourism, including child tourism. In this form of tourism, efforts are made to ensure that children benefit from this right by considering their specific needs and considerations during travel like other age groups. An important and noteworthy aspect underscored in various forms of tourism, particularly child tourism, is the integration of learning with recreation. Hence, understanding the educable components for children through tourism is regarded as an imprtant precondition to provide mentors and guides in child tourism with a clearer view and a more coherent roadmap of their desired performance. Moreover, familiarity with these components and their utilization in tourism site management can open up a new avenue of child-related education (education through tourism) in a more specific metters such as natural,historical and heritige ones. Having recognized the significance of understanding the educable components for children through child tourism, this study aims to explore and examine them from the perspectives of related informants: tourism experts, elementary school teachers, and child psychologists and therapists. Methods: The study was conducted qualitatively using semi-structured interview tools. Results: The research findings indicate that the educable components for children through tourism can be categorized into various topics, including psychological discussions, environmental sustainability, religious and belief-related aspects, life skills, and disciplines such as geography, anthropology, and biology. Discussion and Conclusion: corroborated by participant testimonials, the engagement in active learning during child tourism not only enhances the retention of information within children's cognitive framework but also introduces a novel and progressive pedagogical methodology, enriching the educational experience and promoting a deeper understanding.
Keywords
Child Tourism
Learning
Indirect Education
Content Analysis
 
Asadi, M., Fallah Tafti, H., & Zahmatkesh Sardorahi, M. (2020). Identification and analysis of child tourism development components from the perspective of cultural, infrastructural, and visible destination features (Case study: Yazd city). Tourism and Development, 9(2), 97–112. https://doi.org/10.22034/jtd.2019.188977.1761 [In Persian]
Asgarnejad Nouri, B., Nemat, V., Fani, M., & Saeibnia, S. (2022). Learning obtained from children's tourism in sustainable tourism development: The moderating role of family demographic characteristics. Tourism and Development, 11(4), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.22034/jtd.2021.300771.2423 [In Persian]
Bakir, A., & Baxter, S. G. (2011). Touristic fun: Motivational factors for visiting Legoland Windsor Theme Park. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 20, 407–424. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2011.562431
Barron, P. (2007). Hospitality and tourism students’ part-time employment: Patterns, benefits and recognition. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport andTourism Education, 6(2), 40-54.‏ https://doi.org/DOI:10.3794/johlste.62.150.
Behrendt, M., & Franklin, T. (2014). A review of research on school field trips and their value in education. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 9(3), 235-245.‏ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1031445.pdf
Bos, L., McCabe, S., & Johnson, S. (20152013). Learning never goes on holiday: An exploration of social tourism as a context for experiential learning. Current Issues in Tourism, 18(9), 859-875.‏ https://doi.org/DOI:10.1080/13683500.2013.790878
Cahill, J. (2023, June 13). Let Your Children Soar: Teach Your Kids Responsible Travel. World Footprints. https://www.worldfootprints.com/let-your-children-soar-teach-your-kids-responsible-travel/.
Dallari, F., & Mariotti, A. (2016). Children in tourism: A fresh perspective? Via@, 2(10), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.4000/viatourism.1407.
Dillon, J., Rickinson, M., & Teamey, K. (2016). The value of outdoor learning: evidence from research in the UK and elsewhere. In Towards aconvergencebetween science and environmental education (pp. 193-200). Routledge.‏
Durán-Sánchez, A., Álvarez-García, J., del Río-Rama, M. D. L. C., & Oliveira, C. (2018). Religious tourism and pilgrimage: Bibliometric overview. Religions, 9(9), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9090249‏
Falk، J. H. (2011). The Learning Tourist: The role of identity-related visit motivations. Tourism in Marine Environments, 7(3/4), 223–232. https://doi.org/10.3727/154427311X13195453163010.
Farokhyan, F. (2015). Identifying Isfahan's potentials as a creative tourism destination with an emphasis on handicrafts. Master's thesis, University of Arts Isfahan. [In Persian]
Goodarzi, M., Soltani, Z., & Sharifpour, M. (2022). Investigating the Development and Barriers of Children and Family Tourism in Ahvaz City. Geographical Journal of Tourism Space, 44(11), 79-98. 1001.1.22518827.1401.11.44.5.8 [In Persian]
Imani Khoshkhoo, M., & Shahraabi Farahani, M. (2018). Presenting a conceptual framework of tourists' cultural perception of travel with an emphasis on spirituality: A case study of Isfahan city. Bagh-e Nazar, 15*(68), 49-58. https://doi.org/doi: 10.22034/BAGH.2019.81657. [In Persian]
Jarrat, D. (2013). A socio-cultural analysis of the traditional seaside resort and its contemporary mean to tourist with specific with specific reference to Morecambe, UK (Doctoral dissertation, University of Central Lancashire). https://clok.uclan.ac.uk/id/eprint/9621/
Karkoub, Z. (2014). Designing a model for educational school trips (elementary school-second grade-Tehran city). Bachelor's thesis, Tehran University. [In Persian]
Khoshebast, F., Esrafilyan, F., & Vahedi, E. (2016). Investigating the impact of tourism on spiritual intelligence and spiritual elevation. Scientific seminar on the role of tourism in resilient economy, Tehran. [In Persian]
Kiani Salami, S., & Nazari, N. (2017). Children's Tourism and its Role in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Tourism Development. In the Fourth International Conference on Environmental Planning and Management. Tehran, May 22-23, 2017. [In Persian]
Kolb, B. (2005). A Model for Developing the Arts as a Tourist Product. In 8th International Conference of Arts and Cultural Management (AIMAC), Montréal, Canada. http://neumann.hec.ca/aimac2005/PDF_Text/Kolb_Bonita.pdf
Larsen, S. (2004). The school trip: Travelling with, not to or from. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 4(1), 43–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250410003811.
Lehto, X. Y. (2011). Having Fun Together: Exploring Leisure Trip Activity Participation of Korean Families with Children of Disabilities Song Ee Kim Hospitality and Tourism Management. The International Sounds And Tastes Of Tourism Education, 120.‏
Maghasoudi, H. (2016 [1395]). The role of tourism and traveling in children's education. International Conference on Science and Engineering. [In Persian]
Minnaert، L. (2012). Social Tourism as Opportunity for Unplanned Learning and Behavior Change. Journal of Travel Research, 51(5), 607–616. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287511431324.
Mohajer, B., Shafiee, Z., Khaje Ahmad Attari, A., & Toghraee, M. T. (2020). Identifying the key components of child-based creative tourism, (Case study: Isfahan, the creative city of handicrafts). Motaleate Shahri, 9(35), 75-86. https://doi.org/10.34785/J011.2021.395
Mohammadi, Z., Karoubi, M., & Ziaei, M. (2018). Designing an Analytical Model of Children's Tourism Attitudes for Social Development through Intangible Capital. Iranian Journal of Social Development Studies, 10(3), 45-66. https://sanad.iau.ir/en/Journal/jisds/Article/821572 [In Persian]
Mokhtari Malekabad, R., & Beheshtinejad, F. (2015). Analyzing Isfahan City's Compliance with Child-Friendly Tourism Indicators with Emphasis on Isfahan's Dream City. In the International Conference on New Research in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Planning [In Persian]
Nazirzhonovich, K. Z., & Alidzhanovna, A. N. (2022). The importance of travel and tourism in the formation of a healthy lifestyle danang primary school students. International Journal Of Social Science & Interdisciplinary Research, 11(11), 75-80. https://www.gejournal.net/index.php/IJSSIR/article/view/1075
Nikolaeva, A., Maslo, I., & Pevzner, M. (2011). Educational Tourism as a strategy to Professionalization of Lifelong Learning. Latavijas University.
Nouri, Y., Zarrgham Boroujeni, H., Karoubi, M., & Mahmoudzadeh, S. M. (2020 [1398]). The role of tourism in child upbringing in educational domains from the perspective of Quran and Hadith. Educational Teachings in Quran and Hadith, 5(2), 93–114. https://doi.org/10.22034/iued.2020.123218.1704 [In Persian]
O'Connor, N. (2021). Using active learning strategies on travel and tourism higher education programmes in Ireland. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 29, 100326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100326 .
Pecheritsa, E., Kuchumov, A., & Dolmatenia, Y. (2019, November). The importance of ecological tourism in the formation of ecological culture in children and adolescents. In 4th International Conference on InnovationsinSports, Tourism and Instructional Science (ICISTIS 2019) (pp. 185-189). https://doi.org/10.2991/icistis-19.2019.47.
Ramazani, S. (2022). The role of family tourism and children's skill enhancement. Master's thesis, University of Science and Culture, Tehran Faculty of Tourism. { In Persian}.
Rozhi, I., Moskalenko, M., Moskvichova, O., Babenko, L., Nosachenko, V., & Hariunova, Y. (2023). Tourism Local Lore in the Modern System of Education. Revista Romaneasca pentruEducatie Multidimensionala, 15(1), 159-175.‏ https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/15.1/691.
Ryan, C. (1992). The child as a visitor. World Travel and Tourism Review, 2, 135–139.
Soleimanpour, N. (2022). The role of the museum in children's tourism. Rooykarhā-ye Pazhuheshī-ye Nowin Management and Accounting Research Approaches, 6(20), 1407–1413. https://majournal.ir/index.php/ma/article/view/1353 [In Persian].
Tan, S.-K., Kung, S.-F., & Luh, D.-B. (2014). A model of 'creative experience' in creative tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 41(1), 153–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2012.12.002
Tavakoli, T. (2010). Healing mental health tourism. The first national student conference on social factors affecting health, Tehran. [In Persian]
Weaver, D., & Oppermann, M. (2000). Tourism management. Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Whitebread, D., Neale, D., Jensen, H., Liu, C., Solis, S. L., Hopkins, E., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Zosh, J. M. (2017). The role of play in children’s development: A review of the evidence. The LEGO Foundation. https://cms.learningthroughplay.com/media/esriqz2x/role-of-play-in-childrens-development-review_web.pdf.
Wiegand, P. (1991). Does travel broaden the mind? Education 3-13, 19(1), 54–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279185200111
Winchester, L. (1920). The teaching of geography to children. Methuen & Company.‏
Yousefi Monfared, A. (2018). The Position of Tourism in the Education and Learning of Elementary School Children (Case Study: Girls' Elementary Schools in Qom City). Master's Thesis, Maziar Institute of Higher Education, Faculty of Management and Accounting. [In Persian]