The Attraction of the Mundane – How everyday life contributes to destination attractiveness in the Nordic region

Abstract

The paper exhibits how environments, lifestyles and institutions that are considered as mundane parts of everyday life for locals, play an important role for Chinese tourists visiting the Nordic region – as motivators to visit and as tangible or intangible attractions during the visit. It contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of mundane everyday life in tourism studies, as it highlights that tourist do not only bring their everyday lives to destinations, they also travel to experience tangible and intangible elements that locals may regard as mundane. Based on these findings, the paper aims to position such mundane destination elements not only as a supplement to, but in line with traditional attractions, in terms of their contribution to destination attractiveness. The paper is based on the findings of a qualitative interview study on Chinese tourism to the Nordic region. The interviewees include fourteen Chinese tourists, sixteen representatives of Chinese tourism intermediaries and six tour guides.

The inevitability of essentializing culture in destination branding: the cases offikaandhygge

“…Tourists, to a large extent, want to experience local communities and cultures (Jorgensen, 2020). Therefore, VisitSweden and VisitDenmark promote intangible cultural assets in their branding efforts to entice tourists.…”

The Market Responses of Ice and Snow Destinations to Southerners’ Tourism Willingness: A Case Study from China

“…The research result may lead to the orientation change of some research in the future. Additionally, cognitive limitation on attractions in ice-snow destinations exists in reality [16]. By comparing the popularity of diversified ice-snow activities, this study helps to broaden relevant awareness.…”

“…According to Southerners' preferred activities mentioned above, we can posit that leisure and distinct life experience in ice-snow background is charming for them. As mentioned in existing research, participating in a unique life is one of tourists' favorite experiences [16]. The destination can establish its winter living culture relying on a different environment [84] to induce Southerners' icesnow tourism willingness well.…”

“…In Italy and France, even in ski resorts, almost half of the tourists ski only a little or not at all; they instead spend their time relaxing, experiencing local food and customs, and engaging in other activities [43]. Many tourists are more interested in experiencing the lifestyle in the northern area [16] or pursuing comfort and are less interested in skiing [44], and many individuals are highly interested in experiencing authentic nature [10]. Additionally, tourists prefer ice-snow destinations offering diversified activities [18].…”

Exploring the hospitality-tourism nexus: Directions and questions for past and future research

“…Consequently, performed and thus ‘experienced’ hospitality within touristic encounters can transform evaluations of places (Binnie and Klesse, 2011). The perceived hospitableness of locals experienced directly through interaction becomes part of destinations’ positive image and appeal for tourists (Jørgensen, 2020).…”