New connections from being disconnected; digital free tourism and rewarding experiences

Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Li, Jing;Pearce, Philip;Chen, Tingzhen
Abstract

The current research investigates the rewarding outcomes from restricted digital connectivity or its absence in tourism contexts. Sixty-five carefully selected key informants with relevant background experience or specialised knowledge reported on their experience, observations and perspectives about digital-free tourism (DFT). A grounded theory approach was employed to examine the suggested benefits from temporarily unplugging. Consequently, 139 concepts emerging form informants’ answers were clustered into 35 topics and refined into 12 categories. These categories had strong theoretical links with key approaches in positive psychology. An organising model was built to capture the interrelationships among the 12 categories. It was argued that this model helps understand how DFT contributes to tourists’ well-being by examining self-perception, interpersonal relationships and ICT-mediated lifestyles across the pre-trip, on-site and post-trip periods.

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Publication Name

CAUTHE 2019: 29th Annual Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference: sustainability of tourism, hospitality & events in a disruptive digital age

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978-0-9945141-4-1

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Pages Count

11

Location

Cairns, QLD, Australia

Publisher

Central Queensland University

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Publisher Location

Cairns, QLD, Australia

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