Tourism research 2.0

Are we on the verge of a paradigm shift in the production and consumption of knowledge in tourism research? Offering an original contribution to the epistemology of tourism this article outlines an emerging form of intellectual property right referred to as copyleft and a new paradigm of “tourism research 2.0” is identified. These new forms and norms of knowledge are enabled by Web 2.0 technology and based on a pluralist epistemology. Ownership, quality control, and the dissemination of tourism knowledge under this new paradigm are critically evaluated. It is argued that these changing epistemological norms and forms of knowledge present significant opportunities and challenges for the development and dissemination of tourism research.

► Challenges conventional tourism research and copyright practice. ► Analyses pluralist epistemology underpinning tourism research 2.0. ► Advances new, complementary norms and forms of knowledge.