Mobility and Transnationalism: Travel Patterns and Identity among Palestinian Canadians by Esmat Zaidan A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2011 © Esmat Zaidan 2011 AUTHOR’S DECLARATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public ii ABSTRACT Increased urban diversity in the metropolises of North America urges us to examine the different forms of mobility of transnational communities in cosmopolitan societies. Recent technological advancements, including developments in transport and communication networks, have significantly influenced participation in transnational activities and belonging to transnational social spaces. This study examines the relationships between long-term mobility (migration) and short-term mobility (tourism) by investigation the “visiting friends and family” travel of immigrants that best exemplifies the nexus between the two contemporary phenomena. As increasing levels of globalization and international migration are likely to be accompanied by increased transnationalism, the research uses transnationalism as a conceptual framework to study immigrants’ overseas travel. Research into the relationship between tourism and migration requires engaging with issues of citizenship as different categories of migrants have different rights in the country of settlement. This has implications for travel as revealed in the movements that occur between the places of origin of immigrants (which become destinations) and the new places of residence (which become new origins). These movements are likely to be influenced by the rights and duties of immigrants as citizens living within and moving around different states. This study examines the relationship between the overseas travel patterns of immigrants and their citizenship status. It also examines the role of ethnic and family reunion in shaping these travel patterns. The study also provides a deeper theoretical and empirical analysis of the role of ethnic reunion in shaping the travel patterns of immigrants and of the social and cultural meanings associated with the travel to the ancestral homeland. All of these issues are tackled by examining Palestinian immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and by employing a mixed methods approach engaging both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Major research methods that are employed in the research include key informant interviews, questionnaire surveys, in-depth interviews, observation and field notes, and the use of secondary data. The study explored the politics of mobility for Palestinian-Canadians, an understudied population in terms of transnational practices and issues of identity and hybridity. It also explored issues of citizenship and belonging using extensive interview data with Palestinian- Canadians in the GTA. Throughout the thesis the highly politicized aspect of mobility/immobility, national identity, and national autonomy in the Palestinian case was present. The research highlighted the continuing role of state actors in determining mobility and rights, despite the increasing rhetoric of borderless mobility. The study reveals that the majority of the Palestinian Canadians travel overseas regularly and their outbound travel patterns demonstrate a significant ethnic component. Palestinian Canadians travel to their country of birth as their dominant outbound travel destination for the purposes of visiting friends and relatives and maintaining social and cultural ties, indicating strong ties with homeland that have ethnic links. However, Palestinians holding Canadian citizenship have a higher propensity to travel overseas than permanent resident. The return visits have social and cultural significance to the first and second generations. However, these return visits do not facilitate return migration. Key Words: Mobility, transnationalism, tourism, migration, travel patterns, identity, diaspora, citizenship, intergenerational differences, Palestinian Canadians, Greater Toronto Area. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all I would like to thank God whose guidance has lead me this far. I would like to express my sincere thanks to many people who have offered their support, encouragement and assistance throughout the whole process of my field research and my dissertation writing. Without their contributions, the dissertation would not be possible. I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Geoffrey Wall. His continuous support throughout my Ph.D. journey, his constructive criticisms, and the opportunities he has given me to grow intellectually as well as professionally. Starting from the very beginning of my dissertation topic selection, throughout the research methodology design and the final writing up of the dissertation, Geoff generously offered me his insightful advice and suggestions from his rich experience and knowledge, which guided me through the whole process. His passion to his career and his quick response anytime I am seeking help always encouraged me to move forward. The members of my committee also played an instrumental role in my progress through the various milestones of the program. Dr. Margaret Walton-Roberts, Dr. Barbara Carmichael, and Dr. Troy Glover closely followed my course at each stage of the doctorate and always brought refreshing insights encouraging me to push my ideas in new directions. I thank them for their interested feedback and overall support. Special thanks go to Dr. Margaret Walton-Roberts as she provided me with invaluable comments as well as inspiring suggestions to move my work forward. I am particularly thankful to the external reviewer Dr. Paul Wilkinson for accepting to be part of the final examining committee. Above all, this dissertation is the product of the contributions of all those who participated in my research, whether directly through interviews and questionnaires or indirectly by assisting me in my fieldwork. I wish to thank Dr. Isam Yamani at the Palestine House in Mississauga for his time and interest in my work, and also for always being so kind and welcoming. I am also indebted to Maysoon Batroukh, Mariam Masad, and Vivian Dalu, who provided their support and assistance in carrying out my field work. My fellow graduate students were an important part of my learning experience at the department, whether through the exchange of ideas or a variety of academic and extra-curricular activities. I wish to thank all my friends in Waterloo for their company, advice, and support. I also wish to mention the support I received from the departmental staff, especially Lynn Finch who always helped me with administrative matters very diligently. Finally, my deep gratitude goes to my husband Ammar Abulibdeh and my children Rawan, Mira, Abdelrahman, and Omar for their love, understanding, patience, support, and encouragement over the course of all my graduate studies. In addition, I would like to thank all my family in Palestine, your love and encouragements always give me strength to work ahead. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ........................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ........................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 1.1 An Overview ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research objectives and Questions ................................................................................ 2 1.3 Study Site ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.3.1 Introduction to the study site....................................................................................... 6 1.3.2 Justification for the study site ..................................................................................... 8 1.4 Justification for the research ........................................................................................... 8 1.5 Organization of the dissertation .................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2: Conceptual Context ..............................................................................13 2.1 Definitions of Migration and Tourism .......................................................................... 13 2.1.1 Definition of Migration ............................................................................................. 13 2.1.2 Definition of Tourism ............................................................................................... 16 2.1.2.1 Technical definitions ......................................................................................... 16 2.1.2.2 Conceptual definitions ...................................................................................... 17 2.2 Tourism-Migration Relationships ................................................................................. 19 2.3 Transnationalism and International Migration.............................................................