Going somewhere or for someone? The Sense of Human Place Scale (SHPS) in Chinese rural tourism

Abstract

Rural tourism in China entails intensive interpersonal interactions. This study aims to answer the question: “What is the sense of place pursued by rural tourists through their interactions?” The existing sense of place theories focus on the one-dimensional relationship between residents and their land. We update the knowledge regarding tourists' multidimensional sense of place, which involves locals and their environment. A Sense of Human Place Scale (SHPS) was developed. Study 1 explores four categories with 16 secondary dimensions for tourists' sense of human place (SHP) in rural tourism based on a two-step content analysis. In study 2, a SHPS with 15 items was compiled and its effectiveness was verified. Study 3 conducted a criterion validity test to analyze the impact of SHP on tourists’ rural tourism desire. We explain how rural tourism became an emotional compensation mechanism in modern society and provide references for tourism management in rural destinations. • The model of Sense of Human Place (SHP) in rural tourism was constructed. • The Sense of Human Place Scale (SHPS) with 4 dimensions and 16 items was developed. • This research established a three-dimensional model of “host-guest-place” under Chinese agricultural background. • This research analyzed and explained the impact of different SHP dimensions on tourism desire. • This research explored how rural tourists meet the psychological needs embedded in the cultural tradition through the SHP.