Ferries as travelling landscapes: tourism and watery mobilities

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the use of small river ferries as an under-researched but novel mode of travel which enhances and brings new dimensions to tourist experiences of travelling landscapes. Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed methods approach including participant observation, a survey and interviews with ferry users and staff at one river crossing in South West England. Findings The ferry attracts tourists as a different and practical mode of transport. The river crossing provides an experience of being on water, and the material structure of the ferry significantly shapes on-board interactions whilst providing new perspectives of place. Research limitations/implications This article draws on data collected for a study of ferry crossings conducted at three sites in Devon and Cornwall, England, using multiple methods. The material presented in this article focuses on one site and draws on four interviews, twelve reflection cards and observations. Social implications The research highlighted the extent to which the ferry is dependent on tourist use. At the same time, it reveals the extent to which the crossing enriches the tourist experience and celebrates a ferry’s contribution to local place-making. Originality/value The majority of research on ferry crossings focuses on commuter experiences, marine crossings and larger passenger vessels. This article makes an original contribution to literature on ferries, as it offers a perspective on tourist experiences of river ferry crossings, reveals how the ferry structure influences interrelations on-board and provides distinctive insights into place through a focus on movement across water.

Přívozy na starých topografických mapách

“…Přívozy tímto kompenzují nedostatek mostů, jež by usnadnily cestujícím pohyb mezi konkrétními cíli na opačných březích řek. Turistická poptávka je další hybnou silou, která má zásadní význam pro zachování provozu přívozů na řekách, protože nabízejí cestujícím jedinečný zážitek z vodní krajiny, který se vymyká dnes dominantním formám dopravy [6,7].…”

Public recreation and landscape protection - with environment hand in hand…

“…They are still used for everyday commuting, especially in larger metropolitan areas (Cheemakurthy et al, 2017;Deca et Carnegie, 2021), while also being subject to emerging trends in mobility . Ferries do play an increasingly important role in sustainable tourism, especially as a link between the most visited attractions of anthropogenic and natural origin (Lee et Leung, 2021; as well as an attractive alternative how to overcome barrier effect of river for walking and cycling marked routes (McGrath et al, 2020).The paper builds on previous research focusing on historical ferries, notably . Its main aim is to reveal the reflection and the current use of such sites for the purpose of expanding the tourist possibilities in region.…”

There Used to Be a River Ferry: Identifying and Analyzing Localities by Means of Old Topographic Maps

“…Existing ferries compensate for the lack of bridges to facilitate movement between resources and transport destinations located on opposite sides of rivers [13]. Tourist demand embodies another driving force that is crucial to maintaining ferry traffic on rivers, as it offers unique experiences of the water landscape through involving the river in a manner that stands out from the currently dominant forms of transport [14].…”