Abstract 

Nichetourism refers to how a specific tourism product can be tailored to meet the needs of a particular audience/market segment.
Locations with specific niche products are able to establish and position themselves, as niche tourism destinations. Niche tourism,
through image creation, helps destinations to differentiate their tourism products and compete in an increasingly competitive andcluttered tourism environment. Academic literature has paid little attention to the role and positioning of niche tourism products.Through the use of the niche tourism life cycle it is clear that niche products will have different impacts, marketingchallenges andcontributions to destination development as they progress through it.This critical appraisal presents an important reflection on my research in this area. The core of the critical appraisal is the eightpublished journal articles; two bookchapters and three fully refereed conference papers upon which it is based but it also derives
from the broader perspective of my research over the last ten years. The research context is set, with niche tourism productsand
destination development introduced, developed and seen in the perspective of the authors work in this field of tourism enquiry. The
pragmatist research paradigm that has guided the publications is introduced and the adoption of mixed methods to produce resu
ltsthat are practical, relevant and progress both tourism business theory and practices, is discussed. The research methodologies and
methods used are analysed against current developments in tourism research.My contribution to academic knowledge and understanding within this areais summarised within the three key themes ofnichetourism product development; niche tourist profilinganddestination development through niche tourism.To illustrate this, myresearch has focused primarily on two significant niche tourism products: wineand festivals and events.
The benefits of this work tothe academic community are the presentation ofinsights intoniche tourism consumers, and an understanding of the challenges

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