02197nas a2200217   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002653001700043653003200060653001600092653002300108653002100131100001900152700001700171245003800188856015000226300001200376490000700388520156400395022002001959                                       d10aTourist gaze10aphoto elicitation technique10aPhotography10atourism experience10aVisual Sociology1 aRemziye Cilkin1 aBeykan Cizel00aTourist gazes through photographs  uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85117857429&doi=10.1177%2f13567667211038955&partnerID=40&md5=575f23c3deef3d692bed754e9ec23a37  a188-2100 v283 aThis article investigates the tourism experiences reflected on the photographs according to the tourist gaze theory. Tourists’ experiences are critically examined using the concept of the “romantic gaze” and “collective gaze.” Through qualitative, in-depth photo elicitation interviews (PEIs) guided by their own 185 photographs covering various tourist attractions in Kaleici (Antalya), results indicate similar and dissimilar tourism experiences between romantic and collective gaze. The experiences of tourists are categorized as tangible cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage, natural heritage, atmosphere, contrast, living species, authenticity, emotion, sensory perception, interest, similarity, and touristic activities. While the feeling of curiosity, difference and interest, a sense of self-awareness, authenticity, and nostalgia are prominent in romantic gaze; tourists with a collective gaze reflect their group, friends, family, similarities and hedonistic feelings (entertainment, consumption, rest and interaction) to the photographs. The tourist gaze, which changes according to the society, social group, and historical period, is built on these differences. There is simply no universal experience that is always available to all tourists. In view of the results of this research, which aims to develop the theory about questioning the tourism experience, which is one of the most important issues for today s tourism marketers in practice through the tourist gaze, theoretical and policy implications are also discussed.  a13567667 (ISSN)