Connection and understanding: the basis of a positive mutual gaze between residents of a small island developing state and a community of multinational ocean cruisers.

The mutual gaze is a complex two-sided visual construction of tourists’ impression of hosts and vice versa. In this case, how ocean cruisers (people who live on and travel by private sailing yacht) and residents interact with, portray themselves to and perceive the other was explored. The limited research on the mutual gaze suggests that tourist typology has an effect on the construction of the gaze; however, most research has focused on the nationality of tourists as the primary influence of the gaze. Therefore, this research furthers the understanding of tourist typology on the mutual gaze by examining ocean cruisers. Little is known about ocean cruisers’ interactions with the communities they visit and the economic, social and environmental impacts of their tourism activities. Such interactions and impacts can be evaluated through an analysis of the mutual gaze. The mutual gaze between residents of a small island developing state (SIDS) and a community of multinational ocean cruisers was evaluated through an analysis of attitudes, behaviours, stereotypes, tensions and power structures. It was found that in this context, a positive mutual gaze based on understanding, a sense of connection and real relationships between hosts and guests was the result of reciprocal attitudes and behaviours, few tensions and few power struggles. This research was conducted on the SIDS of Carriacou, Grenada in May and June 2012. Utilizing a case study methodology, in-depth semi-structured interviews with local residents engaged in the yachting community and visiting ocean cruisers were conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]