Travel writing and imaginings about the travelling experience

Abstract

This working paper offers preliminary insights into the exploratory stages of an analysis of travel writers and their imaginings about travelling experiences. The existing literature exposes the dynamic nature of travel writing, encompassing concepts such as factual versus fictional writing, the overlapping of genres, and the role of a travel writer as a mediator of culture and place. Analysis of this multidisciplinary literature identifies that the different types of travel writers have not yet been amalgamated into an overarching conceptual framework. Therefore, the construction of a travel writing 'typology spectrum' model based on the sentiments and perspectives of the travel writers themselves, would add significant value to the academic travel writing discussion. Acknowledging this opportunity for further research, this paper calls for an exploration of contemporary travel writers, their perceptions, intentions and purposes for writing, providing valuable insights into the minds of different travel writers and their writing.