Vacation Travel, Marital Satisfaction, and Subjective Wellbeing: A Chinese Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACTMarital satisfaction is important for preserving one’s marriage and overall wellbeing. While the need to identify factors that enhance marital satisfaction is evident, contributions from the field of tourism remain scarce. This study examines several linkages between and among vacation travel, marital satisfaction, and subjective wellbeing through a thematic analysis of textual data from 22 semi-structured interviews. The results reveal that vacation travel enhances marital satisfaction and improves individuals’ subjective wellbeing. The study has identified four drivers for enhanced marital satisfaction, including Mutual Devotion, Reignited Passion, Strengthened Bond, and Open Communication. These drivers are manifested through various benefits of vacation travel, some of which also underlie the three outcomes of individual subjective wellbeing that emerged from the data. These outcomes are Social Support, Self-esteem, and Happiness. This study contributes to the knowledge on the role of vacation travel in enhancing marital relationship for Chinese couples in a society characterized by the convergence of Chinese traditions and Western values. As the evolving patterns of global mobility continue to intensify cultural interactions, the findings also shed light on the relationships between and among vacation travel, marital satisfaction, and subjective wellbeing beyond the Chinese population.