Conceptualising participant observations in festival tourism

There is still confusion on what participant observation connotes and scholars call for more studies researchers’ roles emotional reflexivity in tourism. This interdisciplinary research aims to unpack observations at festivals. Findings from literary festivals Ireland Italy suggest that are Holistic Research Experiences characterised by four elements. First, they go beyond the visual multisensory nature, be holistic experiences. Second, fieldwork emplaced since researchers situated field can feel bodily sensations empathy, but not fully immersed. Third, participation continuum does complete observer participant, it goes passive active involvement festival activities. Fourth, different passive/active, intentional/unintentional encounters take place: human, animal, space, material, immaterial. Finally, paper considers future areas research.