Research Note Negotiating the Constraints in Traveling With Companion Animals in China

Abstract

Many people recognize companion animals as their friends, partners, and family members, and an increasing number of them are observed traveling with companion animals. To enhance tourists' experience of traveling with companion animals, protect companion animals' welfare, and facilitate a healthy development of this niche market, it is worthy and necessary to understand the constraints in traveling with companion animals and how people negotiate them. This study did a Husserlian phenomenology inquiry based on data collected from a virtual community where users could raise and answer questions. This study reveals that most public transportation, hotels, and tourist attractions in China are very hostile to companion animals, and coping with these constraints is a primary experience of traveling with companion animals. Tourists negotiate constraints by driving personal cars, lying, hiding, and sneaking in, leaving companion animals alone, and being mindful and responsible.