Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a city whose economy was once based exclusively on steel production and heavy manufacture, is now developing its historical and cultural amenities and is marketing itself as a tourist destination. This paper explores the basis of the city's appeal to visitors with an examination of one of the major tourist events, the annual Christmas program. The research suggests that visitors are lured by Bethlehem's small town charm and the suggestion of an authentic urban community. This nostalgia apparently engages not only big-city tourists, but also those from the suburbs and small municipalities. The paper describes this case of cultural tourism in which the principle attraction seems to be a vicarious experience with gemeinschaft-like community.
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Spring 1994
Tourism|
February 05 2008
The Authentic Interior: Questing Gemeinschaft in Post-Industrial Society Available to Purchase
Catherine Cameron;
Catherine Cameron
1
Associate Professor of Anthropology, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
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John Gatewood
John Gatewood
2
Professor of Anthropology, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
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Human Organization (1994) 53 (1): 21–32.
Citation
Catherine Cameron, John Gatewood; The Authentic Interior: Questing Gemeinschaft in Post-Industrial Society. Human Organization 1 March 1994; 53 (1): 21–32. doi: https://doi.org/10.17730/humo.53.1.201t58u725828758
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