Concepts and Models in Tourism: a development from reductionism to tourism systems

Abstract

The objective of this article is to stimulate reflection on the tourism phenomenon, in the light of the systemic approach, gathering in a single text, references from various theorists in the area. Initially, it deals with some aspects of systemic thought. Next, it gives a brief historical context of the emergence of the tourism concept. It then gives various definitions of the tourism phenomenon, from authors of different streams of thought, classifying them according to the emphases given to them, in the reductionist or holistic paradigms of our western science. Finally, it shows some models of tourism systems that have been developed, emphasizing the importance of the holistic vision and systemic analysis for tourism academics. Key-words: Tourism; Reductionism; Holism; Tourism Systems.