Moving beyond subjective well being: a tourism critique (original) (raw)
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Two directions for future tourist well-being research
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Subjective Well-Being in Tourism Research
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Research on tourists' eudaimonic and hedonic wellbeing has grown exponentially in the tourism literature. The paper reexamines the conceptualisation of psychological tourist wellbeing. While there is agreement that tourist wellbeing is multidimensional in nature, it is unclear what specific dimensions, or psychological domains, underpin tourists' hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. Models that summarise these domains seemingly overlap, notably PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievement) model and DRAMMA (detachmentrecovery, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation) model. Ideas on re-conceptualising tourist wellbeing are proposed. A new conceptual model re-organising hedonic and eudaimonic dimensions of tourists' psychological wellbeing is presented for consideration in future research. This new model is termed DREAMA. It consists of the following dimensions: detachmentrecovery (DR); engagement (E); affiliation (A); meaning (M); and achievement (A). The new affiliation dimension now includes both social connections and tourists' connections with the natural environments, thus reframing tourist wellbeing conceptualisation beyond human-tohuman contact.
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The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between tourists’ positive psychological well-being and satisfaction with quality of life (QOL). More specifically, this study examined tourists’ well-being using the PERMA model of well-being developed by Seligman and its capacity to predict QOL. This paper examines the differences between wellness and non-wellness tourists as it relates to well-being and QOL. Additionally, this study examined the importance/performance ratings of well-being experiences while travelling. To capture these relationships, 862 respondents answered questions about their well-being while travelling and satisfaction with quality of life. Confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling and importance performance analysis were employed to answer the research questions. Results suggest that the PERMA model does not contribute to QOL. Wellness travelers experience greater connection between overall health and QOL. Generally, the travel and tourism industry is performing up to the expectations of both wellness and non-wellness tourists. Both theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. Future research evaluating the existence of positive psychological well-being within the tourism context is warranted.
Positive psychology and tourist well-being: A systematic literature review
This paper examines the current state of research on well-being from tourism from the lens of positive psychology. A systematic review of 82 peer-reviewed articles published in English-language tourism journals indicate that tourist well-being is predominantly examined as a consequence of travel, rather than linked to tourism marketing and management. This study presents a conceptual framework of the antecedents, episodes and consequences of tourist well-being. Practically, results suggest strategies on how well-being can be used to generate better outcomes for tourism marketers and managers. By mapping what is known in the intersection between positive psychology and tourist well-being, this study identifies existing gaps and opportunities for future research in this area.