Tourists have a way of confusing the typical with the stereotypical

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

“Because most tourists rarely penetrate beyond the boundaries of “tourist space,” they have few opportunities to experience and photograph that which is really “unspoiled.” Their limited knowledge of the culture and life of the indigenous people tends to narrow down their conception of the “typical” to the stereotypical. …Locals often stage themselves in response to perceived touristic demands for authenticity.”

–Erik Cohen, “Stranger-Local Interaction in Photography,” Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 19 No. 2 (1992)

Original article can be found here: Tourists have a way of confusing the typical with the stereotypical