Sleep in tourism

Both sleep and tourism are commonly understood as means to rest and recover from the demands of everyday life. However, in tourism studies, overnight stays—as a measurable variable—are the only connection made so far between the two. It is argued here that both the theoretical and the industry-related insights into the tourist experience remain shallow unless the mode of agency involved in the collective and embodied state and practice of sleeping is understood properly. More specifically, by way of unloading the paradigm of the active, awake, and wilful tourist, the study opens up a new terrain for the development of a sustainable and ethical tourism industry based on the faculties and virtues inherent in sleep.

Research highlights► Introduces a relevant, yet neglected topic within tourism literature and industry. ► Challenges the existing paradigm of the active, awake, and wilful tourist. ► Reconceptualises the tourist agency in terms of faculties inherent in sleep. ► Paves the way for the development of more sustainable and ethical tourism industry.