Travel and the ‘Freedom of Movement’: Racialised Encounters and Experiences Amongst Ethnic Minority Tourists in the EU

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual-based discussion dealing with social and geopolitical concerns associated with the tourism experiences and travel encounters of ethnic minority citizens living in member-states of the European Union (EU). Although EU legislation emphasises that its citizens have freedom of movement throughout member-states, the prevalence of racialised situations transpiring within, across and beyond EU borders suggests that this commitment is socio-politically ambiguous. The popular hysteria that has developed towards increased immigration from non-EU countries extends to those minorities who have legal status of entry, residency and/or citizenship -as they too are visibly different from Europe's white majorities. The paper thus reflects on ways in which the 11 September 2001 attacks in America have had a detrimental impact on people's tourism and travel experiences, particularly in instances where individuals have been treated with high levels of suspicion from institutional bodies and ethnic (white) majorities. The work firmly emphasises that racial prejudice, institutional racism and xeno-racist practices restrict ethnic minority citizens from appreciating cosmopolitan-based tourism experiences and engaging in congenial exchanges with other European cultures and societies. One of the main contentions asserts that racialised movements limit ethnic minority citizens from achieving full rights to social and (multi)cultural forms of citizenship. The conclusion suggests ways in which researchers ought to respond to the study of tourism and racism within the EU.

Whiteness, ethnic minorities and advertising in travel brochures

“…This issue is reflected in the types of interaction sought in tourist settings with Blacks in the USA preferring larger groups and more familiar situations compared with whites (Philipp, 1994). Stephenson (2006) has recently reported similar findings with respect to ethnic minority groups in Britain travelling in the European Union.…”

Cricket, migration and diasporic communities

“…Due to their phenotypical appearance post-war migrants were 'racially' marked. This 'racialisation' restricted their access to cultural resources and spaces taken for granted by white people, and made them vulnerable to racial prejudice and institutionalised racism (Stephenson 2006). Consequently, the majority of migrants, regardless of their background or level of education pre-migration, were initially employed in low-paid manual occupations.…”

“…asylum seekers. As a result, they are unable to account for migrant communities who are in control of their movements (see Stephenson 2006). Raman rightly observes that early conceptualisations of diaspora were largely essentialist.…”

The transformative potential of using participatory community sport initiatives to promote social cohesion in divided community contexts

“…Such 'racialisation' largely restricted access to cultural resources and spaces taken for granted by White people, and contributed to racial prejudice and institutionalised racism (Stephenson 2006). We are conscious not to homogenise the migrant experience as one revolving around exclusion and prejudice from and by the White majority.…”