Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/337783 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Citation: 
[Journal:] Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights [ISSN:] 2666-9579 [Volume:] 5 [Issue:] 1 [Article No.:] 100122 [Year:] 2024 [Pages:] 1-13
Publisher: 
Elsevier, Amsterdam
Abstract: 
This study examined netizen attitudes toward space tourism. A content analysis was performed on 260 memes collected in response to the first tourist-focused suborbital spaceflight of Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin. While findings indicate a variety of perspectives toward both historic moments for the new commercial space industry, the overall sentiment was negative. Using cultural references and humor, this critical response focused on the billionaire founders Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, downplayed their achievement, and questioned their environmental, financial, and social/ethical practices. This discursive contention is sharply opposed to dominant narratives which typically frame space tourism as a net positive for humankind. Findings offer insight into emerging attitudes toward present-day space tourism and potential challenges to the industry's future development.
Subjects: 
Internet memes
Sustainability
Public sphere
Counterpublics
Content analysis
Alternative tourism
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article

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