How do Chinese travelers experience the Arctic? Insights from a hedonic and eudaimonic perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study explores the tourism experience of Chinese independent travelers in the Arctic region from the perspective of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. We examine 12 “informant, influential and interactive” online travel blogs on Qyer.com, the biggest virtual community for Chinese outbound independent travelers. A three-level manual coding process of qualitative data has shown that hedonic Arctic experiences include “gazing at otherness”, “encounter and interaction”, “immersion in the local community”, “bodily feelings”, and “positive affects”. From eudaimonic perspective, visitors “experience challenges” (environmental, physical, and mental) at first, but they learn to “build capacities” and respond to these challenges. After conquering self-limits, Chinese travelers go through “revitalization of the body”, obtain “high spirits” and achieve “enrichment of the mind”. Some of the experiential outcomes can be explained by traditional Chinese value orientations such as self-cultivation, collectivism, and human–environment harmony. The authors recommend Arctic tourism to be positioned as a highly valued, exotic, and extraordinary destination for independent travelers who aim to enrich their mind and soul above material pleasure.