Building the orchestra model of tourist experience, integration and examples

This chapter contributes to an understanding of the orchestra model of experience. In this approach, experience is conceptualised as a dynamic patterning of the interplay of multiple forces. Like the rise and fall of the contributing parts of an orchestra that contribute to the full effect of any musical performance, the individual’s sensory inputs, affective responses, cognitive understanding of the situation, awareness of those who co-produce the experience and the activities undertaken all co-exist and fluctuate in importance across time. Such experience may be accessed at various points in time, immediately or through long-term memory. That is, the orchestra ‘model conceives of tourists’ experience as the sum of these multiple facets of the individual’s world that are available to consciousness and recall. Key (published) applications of the orchestra model are also considered in this chapter. A succinct evaluation of the approach is offered as a conclusion to the chapter