Despite the growing popularity of phenomenology in tourism studies, past attempts have inadequately addressed the theoretical and philosophical assumptions that influence a researcher’s approach and interpretations. Furthermore, the potential of hermeneutical phenomenology to address experiential and existential issues related to being-in-the-world (Heidegger, 1996) of tourism remains largely unexplored. This conceptual paper introduces theoretical as well as methodological considerations for tourism research, and situates some key phenomenological approaches historically as well as within specific research paradigms. We focus here on the differing ontological and epistemological views of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger. Examples are provided to illustrate the importance of situating one’s philosophical assumptions in research, and the value of applying hermeneutic phenomenology to study experience, understanding and meaning in tourism.