Literary Tourism Handbook

RESEARCHING LITERARY TOURISM. 

A Handbook for Students and Supervisors

Editor: Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler

Authors: Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler, Dr. Rita Baleiro, 

Dr. Giovanni Capecchi, Dr. Charles Mansfield

ISBN 978-961-286-877-2

Literary tourism is a field that is becoming increasingly interesting to students for numerous reasons.

Research in this area has been on the rise for several years, yet researchers of literary tourism often find it difficult to connect with others who have researched in this subject. There are, however, some exceptions in this field. One is TULE (Centre for Literary Tourism - Il Centro per il Turismo Letterario at the Perugia Foreigners' University), which brings together literary tourism researchers from Europe. In the creation of this textbook, the editor, Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler, who is also a TULE member, invited her TULE colleagues Dr. Rita Baleiro (University of Algarve, CiTUR), Giovanni Capecchi (Università per Stranieri di Perugia), and Dr. Charles Mansfield (The Writing Research Centre), who research and teach literary tourism, to collaborate in writing a textbook on researching literary tourism. This handbook has been created in the frame of the TULE project, Establishing Literary Tourism Network in Higher Education (LIT-NET).

The essence of literary tourism

This handbook is designed to guide students and supervisors through the fascinating journey of exploring literary tourism — a field that blends literature, heritage, history, culture, social sciences and tourism into a compelling field of study.

The essence of literary tourism lies in its ability to connect readers with the places and landscapes of their favoured authors and literary works. Whether it is walking through the woods and meadows that inspired Lovro Kuhar – Prežihov Voranc, visiting Mark Twain’s or France Prešeren's childhood homes, or tracing the footsteps of James Joyce through Dublin or Pula, literary tourism offers profound ways to experience literature beyond the pages of the book. Many literary figures have been adopted by cities and countries for the spirit or essence of their writings and these authors are celebrated in public monuments and street names.  

Student-friendly

This handbook aims to be student-friendly and equip you with the fundamental knowledge and the necessary tools to begin research in literary tourism. The book will guide you through the key concepts, methodologies, and practical considerations of conducting research in this interdisciplinary field by answering the questions that arise while starting the research and during its first steps. From understanding the historical significance of literary sites to engaging with local communities and using digital technologies, this handbook covers various topics essential for a comprehensive understanding of literary tourism, a field that combines literature, cultural studies, geography, history, linguistics and tourism management.

This handbook is also unique in its organisation. By answering what the authors believe are essential questions at the start of each literary tourism research project, the book aims to facilitate both theoretical understanding and practical application. It includes an overview of the field, guidance on research methods, practical tips, and recommended essential reading.