Understanding the meaning of the ‘journey’ to budget travellers

Abstract

The purpose is to construct a hermeneutic understanding of the significance of the journey to budget travellers. Narrative interviews were gathered from budget travellers. This research confirms the complexity, holistic reflections and personal travel history associated with the journey. The participants' narratives indicated the primacy of personal authenticity instead of cultural authenticity. The sight became a landmark to distinguish the destination, participants' geographical placement and some of their travails on their journeys. The nomothetic significance of the journey involved the meaning themes of personal development and liminal encounters and meaning factors of styles, visual cues and problem solving.

Is this Shangri-La? The case for authenticity in the Chinese and Indian hospitality industry

“…The second type of authenticity identifi es the notion of constructive authenticity as ' the result of social con struction not an objectively measurable qua lity of what is being visited ' ( Wang, 1999, p. 351 ). It is argued that an experience is authentic if this is deemed by the tourist ( Obenour, 2004 ). This is reinforced by Ritzer and Liska (1997, p. 107) , who suggest that many tourists are in fact in search of inauthenticity, ' Most inhabitants of a postmodern world might be willing to eat at the campfi re, as long as it is a simulated one on the lawn of the hotel ' .…”

A Multirelational Approach for Understanding Consumer Experiences Within Tourism

“…In the wake of late modern trends, we find research taking a relational perspective through a focus on paradoxes of consumer independence (Caruana, Crane, & Fitchett, 2008), the role of hermeneutics in heritage experiences (Ablett & Dyer, 2009), the meaning-based constructions of budget travelers (Obenour, 2004), the dynamic experiences of long distance walking (Breejen, 2007), the construction of authentic experiences (Chronis & Hampton, 2008), the multi-dimensional nature of experiences (Walls, Okumus, Wang, & Kwun, 2011), and experiences as interactions (White & White, 2008). In line with developments within consumer research, these contributions take into account the complex dynamism of experiences by focusing on relational factors.…”

Travel Experiences and Aspirations: A Case Study from Chinese Youth<i> </i>

“…This is derived from their personal life narrative, as a rite of passage or a moment of self-authentication (Abrahams, 1986), from a sense of achievement when mastering a physical challenge or making an intellectual discovery (Beard & Ragheb, 1983) leading to a flow experience of absorption in the activity (Baum, 1997). Travel can also be a journey in search of spiritual goals or self-discovery (Sharpley & Stone, 2010) or transformation (Obenour, 2004). There is also a strong social element to the meaning as shared experiences can bring 'rites of integration' (Arnould & Price, 1993), creating close bonds between people (Obenour, 2004); what Turner (1974) called a sense of 'communitas'.…”

“…Travel can also be a journey in search of spiritual goals or self-discovery (Sharpley & Stone, 2010) or transformation (Obenour, 2004). There is also a strong social element to the meaning as shared experiences can bring 'rites of integration' (Arnould & Price, 1993), creating close bonds between people (Obenour, 2004); what Turner (1974) called a sense of 'communitas'. Visiting a particular destination can be a means of establishing identity (Noy, 2004), gaining recognition (Otto & Ritchie, 1996) and status or kudos (Curtin, 2005).…”

“…The meanings that tourists give to a destination are derived not only from their personal characteristics and experiences, but also from the values of their culture (Nicoletta & Servidio, 2012;Tasci & Gartner, 2007). Tourists visit a destination with a set of assumptions created by the interaction of the visitor's own cultural background and their understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the location (Nicoletta & Servidio, 2012;Obenour, 2004;Seddighi, Nuttall, & Theocharous, 2001;Snepenger et al, 2007). Mok and DeFranco (2000) believe that an understanding of cultural values is vital in tourism marketing as customer satisfaction is largely based on meeting (and ideally exceeding) expectations.…”