Travel Experience Research Articles

Travel as a Tool for Trauma Recovery: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches

This study aims to explore how travel serves as a tool for trauma recovery, aiding individuals in coping with psychological trauma and promoting mental health. We adopted a pragmatic mixed-methods approach, conducting two complementary studies: qualitative interviews with individuals who have experienced trauma and a quantitative survey. The qualitative interviews reveal the mechanisms and key factors of travel in the trauma recovery process. Based on the interview data, we constructed a conceptual model that includes latent variables such as travel experience, emotional regulation, self-reflection, social support, and trauma recovery. This model was subsequently validated through a quantitative survey study using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The results indicate that travel significantly promotes trauma recovery by providing a restorative environment, facilitating emotional regulation, and enhancing social interaction. This study provides new insights into the role of travel in trauma recovery and offers practical guidance for mental health interventions.

The Influence of English Language Exposure on Language Attitudes and Identity among Chinese Youth

This research aims to examine the influence of exposure to the English language on the linguistic attitudes and identity of Chinese students. The analysis examines the characteristics of respondents according to their gender, academic program, and socio-economic background. It evaluates their level of English exposure via formal education, media consumption, digital communication, literature, social interactions, travel experiences, self-study, and familial influences. Although English exposure is typically considered reasonably beneficial, the research reveals significant disparities depending on gender and socio-economic level. The impact of English exposure on emotional components of language attitudes is moderate, whereas its influence on cognitive, evaluative, social, perceptual, and contextual elements is relatively modest. The research also demonstrates that English exposure substantially impacts students' identity, namely in terms of historical and cultural background, language preference, and regional identification. Furthermore, a modest but favorable association exists between exposure to English and the general sense of self among Chinese students. At the same time, formal schooling and social contacts have a more significant impact. Based on these results, the research proposes customized language programs, immersive experiences, and various learning resources to improve English acquisition and its influence on students' identities.

The deeper and wider social impacts of transportation infrastructure: From travel experience to sense of place and academic performance

Traditional transportation planning emphasized the direct economic benefits of transportation infrastructure. While there is a growing awareness of the environmental consequences, social impacts are frequently overlooked due to methodological complexities and political neglect. Although existing literature acknowledges the existence of transportation-related social exclusion, it primarily concentrates on quantifiable and immediate short-term social outcomes arising from improved accessibility and affordability, which facilitate place-to-place interactions and activities. There has been limited exploration of the more intricate and indirect societal impacts associated with transportation. This paper argues that new transportation infrastructure not only affects mobility and travel experiences but also has deeper social impacts on the sense of place. These effects may extend to broader benefits, including academic performance, by influencing place identity, attachment, and dependency, which in turn affect daily activities unrelated to travel. Our study focuses on a university student community (N = 323), a pivotal future workforce, and investigates how the introduction of a new metro line passing through the campus reduces commuting time, subsequently enhancing academic productivity. Employing structural equation modeling method, our analysis reveals that sense of place acts as a mediator between travel experience and student engagement under the influence of transportation mode choice. These findings may have broad applicability in identifying indirect social impacts of transportation infrastructure, thus providing insights for investment decisions.

An overview of consumer preferences for souvenirs in China post-COVID

The COVID-19 epidemic had a major effect on the travel sector worldwide, with China's souvenir market being especially hard hit. Examining post-COVID-19 tourist preferences for memento designs, this study also attempts to explore the ramifications for the souvenir design business as the tourism sector starts to recover. In order to find pertinent publications from 2019 to June 2024, a systematic literature review procedure based on the PRISMA criteria was used to scan the Web of Science and Scopus databases. After screening the collected literature for research themes and post-pandemic development trends, the VOSviewer tool was used to perform keyword co-occurrence analysis. Four primary research issues were established by the study: (1) the rationale for cultural tourism; (2) community involvement; (3) technological integration design; and (4) cultural economic analysis. It was discovered that travellers prefer personalised travel experiences and engaging with local culture, and that creating keepsakes using technology is becoming more and more popular. Travellers' tastes for Chinese souvenir designs have changed since COVID-19, and they are now more interested in individualised experiences, cultural components, and technological integration. The study's conclusions offer legislators, souvenir designers, and other tourism industry practitioners insightful information on how to promote innovation and long-term economic success.

Customer Booking Habits and Attitudes Towards AI-Powered Features in Online Travel Agencies

The use of modern technologies, especially AI enabled features, has led to significant changes in the hospitality and tourism industry, both for travellers and service providers. Thanks to the rapid development of various AI features, the Internet of Things and other technologies, travellers can enjoy personalised and tailored booking and travel experiences. Online travel agencies (OTAs) are websites or mobile applications where users can book a variety of travel-related services such as accommodation, cruises, airline tickets, car hire and many other travel items. The focus of this study is on the impact of the introduction of AI technology in OTAs (online travel agencies) on travellers. It represents the realisation of the fourth phase of the research, which focuses on the analysis of travellers' habits and key demographic characteristics, as well as significant differences between genders and the travelling' frequency of the respondents. For this purpose, an originally developed questionnaire with specific demographic questions, OTA booking habits and 12 questions on different AI features in OTAs was used. One-way ANOVA (for frequency of travel) and a two-sample t-test (for gender) were used for this study. The results obtained showed significant differences in responses for some questions, both for gender and travel frequency, and are presented in detail in the Results and Discussion section

Design of urban low-carbon green transportation demonstration area in the context of "dual carbon" --Taking Wuhua District of Kunming City (Zhengyi Road and Sanshi Street area) as an example

In the context of "dual-carbon", by reconstructing the relationship between people and vehicles, optimizing spatial quality, and taking street space renovation as a starting point, we can continuously improve the travel experience of human-centered neighborhoods, build a higher-quality living environment, and guide green travel. Under this context, this study takes Wuhua District, Kunming, Zhengyi Road and Sanshi Street as a case to explore the design of urban low-carbon green transportation demonstration area under the background of "dual-carbon". By analyzing the "dual-carbon" strategy and related policies, and taking into account the current transportation situation in Wuhua District, Kunming, it is found that there are problems such as traffic congestion, chaotic parking, and poor bus routes in this area. To address these challenges, this study proposes a series of optimization measures based on successful cases at home and abroad, including improving the transportation network, strengthening non-motorized parking management, introducing intelligent traffic management systems, and optimizing the connection between bus routes and rail transit. These measures will help improve transportation efficiency, reduce congestion, promote green travel, and provide useful lessons and references for the construction of low-carbon transportation demonstration zones in other cities.

Understanding Transformative Learning and Transformative Tourism

This study focuses on two major areas of transformative learning and transformative tourism. The study aims to understand how transformative learning theory developed by Jack Mezirow was first introduced to the academia and then adopted in the field of tourism. Transformative travel and tourism is an emerging paradigm in the travel industry, characterized by travel experiences that lead to profound personal growth, self-discovery, and societal benefits. This paper explores the intersections of transformative learning theory and transformational tourism experiences through a qualitative research approach. By synthesizing secondary data from diverse contexts and empirical studies, the study examines how transformative learning processes manifest in the context of travel and tourism. The theoretical framework draws on Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, emphasizing critical reflection and perspective learning. This study is based on a general review through thematic analysis of narratives. The research identifies mechanisms that facilitate transformative experiences during travel. The literatures highlight on novelty seeking, escapism, freedom, self-efficacy, the transformation of consciousness, self-development and personal growth, and subjective wellbeing which is an outcome of transformative travel. This study explores the concepts of transformation, transformative learning, transformational tourism, tourism motivation, tourism destination image, marketing, authenticity, satisfaction, and transformative experiences.

Exploring Chinese Tourists’ Well-Being Through a Confucian Lens: A Multi-Focal Model

ABSTRACT Despite exponential growth in research interest in the psychological benefits derived from travel experiences, existing conceptualizations of well-being in tourism predominantly adopt Western perspectives. This conceptual paper proposes a multifocal model for understanding tourist well-being through a Confucian lens. By comparing the five cardinal Confucian virtues with Aristotelian well-being perspectives, this multidimensional framework integrates traditional and modern well-being insights, depicting eleven dimensions of Chinese tourists’ psychological well-being. This manuscript contributes a multi-focal model of Chinese tourist well-being, which extends the traditional one-dimensional Confucian perspectives on well-being toward a two-dimensional framework which includes eudaimonic and hedonic aspects. Future studies should conduct empirical work designed to clarify conceptual and terminological ambiguity and advance discourse on the integration of Eastern perspectives into the study of tourist well-being.

Unlocking the relationship between destination brand value and tourists' intentions to visit: A case study in Quang Binh province

This study aims to explore the factors that constitute the concept of destination brand value and analyze the influence of these elements on tourists' intention to choose a destination. The destination is seen as a brand that builds and maintains a unique venue image, enhances its competitive position and attracts visitors to this destination. Vietnam has much potential to attract tourists with its scenic landscapes and historical cultural relics. However, since COVID-19, attracting tourists has yet to be able to compete with other countries in the region such as Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. How can Vietnamese destination brand value be improved to compete in attracting tourists? To answer the above research question, a quantitative approach was applied. Data was collected from 295 tourists intending to visit Quang Binh, a central province of Vietnam with many famous natural, cultural and historical attractions. Through exploratory factor analysis, research results show that three factors of brand value impact the online travel experience: destination image brand quality, destination brand awareness and destination brand image. This study confirms the positive relationship between online destination brand experience and destination intention to visit. Some implications are proposed for managers in the tourism industry to improve the competitive advantage of the Quang Binh destination brand.

Research on Train-Induced Vibration of High-Speed Railway Station with Different Structural Forms.

Elevated stations are integral components of urban rail transit systems, significantly impacting passengers' travel experience and the operational efficiency of the transportation system. However, current elevated station designs often do not sufficiently consider the structural dynamic response under various operating conditions. This oversight can limit the operational efficiency of the stations and pose potential safety hazards. Addressing this issue, this study establishes a vehicle-bridge-station spatial coupling vibration simulation model utilizing the self-developed software GSAP V1.0, focusing on integrated station-bridge and combined station-bridge elevated station designs. The simulation results are meticulously compared with field data to ensure the fidelity of the model. Analyzing the dynamic response of the station in relation to train parameters reveals significant insights. Notably, under similar travel conditions, integrated stations exhibit lower vertical acceleration in the rail-bearing layer compared to combined stations, while the vertical acceleration patterns at the platform and hall layers demonstrate contrasting behaviors. At lower speeds, the vertical acceleration at the station concourse level is comparable for both station types, yet integrated stations exhibit notably higher platform-level acceleration. Conversely, under high-speed conditions, integrated stations show increased vertical acceleration at the platform and hall levels compared to combined stations, particularly under unloaded double-line working conditions, indicating a superior dynamic performance of combined stations in complex operational scenarios. However, challenges such as increased station height due to bridge box girder maintenance, track layer waterproofing, and track girder support maintenance exist for combined stations, warranting comprehensive evaluation for station selection. Further analysis of integrated station-bridge structures reveals that adjustments in the floor slab thickness at the rail-bearing and platform levels significantly reduce dynamic responses, whereas increasing the rail beam height notably diminishes displacement responses. Conversely, alterations in the waiting hall floor slab thickness and frame column cross-sections exhibit a minimal impact on the station dynamics. Overall, optimizing structural dimensions can effectively mitigate dynamic responses, offering valuable insights for station design and operation.

Understanding Thai Tourists' Meaning-Making of Attachment to Japan

This study investigated how Thai tourists interpret their attachment to Japan using a qualitative approach. Employing a four-dimensional framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 frequent Thai visitors to Japan. The narratives revealed all four dimensions of place attachment: place identity, place dependence, place social bonding, and place affect. Japan emerged as a unique destination offering irreplaceable travel experiences. Place dependence was most significant in fostering attachment, while place affect was an accumulation of the other three dimensions. The study found that attachment resulted from a combination of diverse factors rather than a single cause. It underscores the role of place attachment in promoting repeat visits and destination loyalty, providing insights to enhance Japan's tourism appeal. However, the reliance on qualitative methods limits generalizability. Future research should explore attachment in non-visitors, the longevity of attachment, and factors reducing attachment to a place.

Advancing Antenatal Care in Ethiopia: The Impact of Tele-Ultrasound on Antenatal Ultrasound Access in Rural Ethiopia.

Introduction: Access to antenatal ultrasound is limited in low-income countries such as Ethiopia. Virtual care platforms that facilitate supervision and mentoring for ultrasound scanning may improve patient access by facilitating task-sharing of antenatal ultrasound with midlevel providers. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a large volume tele-ultrasound program in Ethiopia, its impact on antenatal care (ANC) and patient access, and its sustainability as it transitioned from a pilot project to a continuing clinical program. Methods: Health care providers at two health centers in the North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, performed antenatal tele-ultrasound exams with remote guidance from obstetricians located in urban areas. Data regarding ANC and ultrasound utilization, participant travel, ultrasound findings, specialist referrals, and participant experience were collected through a mobile app. Results: Between November 2020 and December 2023, 7,297 tele-ultrasound exams were performed. Of these, 489 tele-ultrasound exams were performed during the period of data collection from October to December 2022. The availability of tele-ultrasound at the two health centers significantly reduced participant travel distance (4.2 km vs. 10.2 km; p < 0.01; one-way distance). Most participants (99.2%) indicated the tele-ultrasound service was very important or important, with high levels of satisfaction. Clinically significant findings were identified in 26 cases (5.3%), leading to necessary referrals. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of a large volume tele-ultrasound program in Ethiopia, its impact on improving the quality of ANC, and its sustainability. These findings lay a foundation upon which low-income countries can develop tele-ultrasound programs to improve antenatal ultrasound access.

Examining tourists’ personality traits and dining-in/dining-out preferences. An approach-avoidance theory perspective

ABSTRACT Food and dining are integral to the travel experience for tourists. Despite this, there is a lack of research on how tourists choose between dining in and dining out. Furthermore, these choices may be influenced by the tourists’ personality traits. To address this gap, this study explores how the Big Five personality traits impact tourists’ preferences for dining in or dining out hospitality services. We gathered data from 790 tourists through an online survey and employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data. The results reveal that Openness to Experience is positively associated with the preference for dining in services but negatively associated with avoiding dining in or out. Conscientiousness is positively related to avoiding dining in or out. Extraversion is positively linked with the preference for dining in or out services, while Agreeableness has no association with either approaching or avoiding dining in/out. Neuroticism is positively associated with both approaching or avoiding dining in or out services. This study is not only one of the initial studies examining the influence of personality traits on tourists’ dining preferences but also help practitioners develop strategies via tourists’ personality traits to increase revenue for dining in/out services.

Analisis Dampak Wisata Religi Terhadap Peningkatan Ekonomi Street Vendors di Kawasan Masjid Agung Al-Anwar Kota Pasuruan

Religious tourism encompasses travel experiences connected to faith, history, culture, traditions, and local beliefs, supporting existing Islamic values and culture. This study aims to delve into the potential and impact of religious tourism on the economic upliftment of street vendors around the Al-Anwar Grand Mosque in Pasuruan City. Employing a descriptive qualitative method, the research gathered primary and secondary data through surveys, interviews, and observations conducted at the Al-Anwar Grand Mosque in Kebonsari, Panggungrejo District, Pasuruan City. The findings reveal that religious tourism plays a significant role in boosting income and creating employment opportunities for street vendors near the mosque. Available facilities and services like parking areas, green spaces, information centers, and social activities further support the economic activities of these vendors. Positive impacts are also experienced by visitors and the local government, including increased shopping options, higher tax revenue, and infrastructure development. This research provides a deeper understanding of the contribution of religious tourism to the local economy and the importance of empowering street vendors in the development of tourism in Pasuruan City.

The social media usage and their effect on Tourism marketing behavior A Study among University International Students in Indonesia

This study investigates the impact of social media on tourism marketing behavior among international students in Indonesia. Employing a descriptive research method utilizing a qualitative approach, in some groups it was conducted with international students to explore their travel experiences and the influence of social media on their destination choices. The findings reveal that social media plays a significant role in shaping students' travel decisions, with a particular emphasis on the importance of visual platforms like Instagram and YouTube and their specific interests in how and where to visit with the help of these platforms. This research contributes to the existing literature on the role of social media in tourism marketing and provides insights into the preferences and behaviors of international students, a key demographic in the tourism industry. The discussion covers the range of interests that students have in artificial, cultural, and natural tourism as well as more niche types including MICE, health, and information tourism. Notably, participants stressed the need for thorough travel information, especially about lodging, meals, transportation, and guided tours information that is mostly found online. The study emphasizes how social media use and the diverse range of tourist experiences that foreign students in Indonesia are looking for are intricately related. Overall, this investigation clarifies the mutually beneficial relationship between social media dynamics and traveller behaviours, revealing information that is essential for academics and industry participants to comprehend in order to fully utilize digital platforms in modern tourism.

A web-based travel package management system integrated with QR code

The tourism industry is associated with people travelling either domestically or abroad, for business, social, or recreational reasons. This industry integrates numerous services and activities such as tourism organization, marketing, hotel industry, transportation services, food and beverage activities, retail stores and various other activities under one umbrella. In addition to generating income and jobs, tourism is the best way to promote the nation's image. As the economy and living conditions have improved, so too has the tourist sector, and more people are turning to vacations as a way to alleviate stress and unwind. Currently, travel agencies handle a lot of data with low efficiency and a lot of mistakes. Therefore, this study developed a comprehensive integration of QR code for package travel management system that caters to users in Malaysia, offering functionalities such as itinerary customization, QR code generation and access to essential travel information. The development of this project adopts the Waterfall Methodology, encompassing phases such as planning, requirement analysis, design, implementation and testing. The application is crafted using the Visual Studio Code. The study conducted a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) using questionnaires to evaluate the system's effectiveness and user-friendliness to thirty respondents including family members of frequent travellers and randomly selected community members. Positive feedbacks with Perceived Ease of Use (PEU) scoring 3.6, Attitude of Using (ATT) at 3.7, Perceived Usefulness (PU) scoring 3.4, and Intention to Use (IU) obtaining 3.9, were gathered from the analysis and findings that emphasizing the QR code system's potential as a cost-effective and efficient solution for travellers to monitor and optimize their travel experiences. Future work involves adding maps for easy navigation and implementing augmented reality (AR) for virtual destination previews.

Trends In Tourism Recommendation Systems: A Review

Tourism Recommendation Systems (TRS) are increasingly important in the tourism industry to provide personalized recommendations based on diverse tourist preferences. Technology and big data have transformed TRS from traditional travel agencies to modern digital platforms, enabling the processing of vast amounts of user-generated data for precise recommendations. The study aims to identify strengths and weaknesses within existing TRS frameworks and techniques, propose recommendations to mitigate these weaknesses, and provide insights for practitioners and researchers. Key findings are the effectiveness of personalized and context-aware recommendations, the importance of multimodal data integration, the need for ethical and fair recommendation practices. Future directions in TRS research should focus on exploring and developing explainable AI and transparency, personalization at scale, enhancing multimodal recommendation capabilities, and ensuring ethical and fair recommendation. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary TRS methodologies and provides actionable insights for enhancing TRS performance. By addressing current trends and proposing recommendations for future research, this paper aims to advance the field of TRS and improve travel experiences for tourists.

Designing microtransit services in suburban areas: A case study in Palermo, Italy

Poor quality of Public Transport (PT) services is one of the main causes of social exclusion for people living in the suburbs. Public transport companies usually allocate few financial resources to these areas, providing transport services with low frequency, poor accessibility, poor reliability, and high waiting times at stops. Recently, microtransit has emerged as an effective solution to improve the travel experience in suburban areas, particularly for non-commuting trips during off-peak hours. This paper presents an integrated methodological approach for designing microtransit services to meet the mobility needs of people living in low-density suburbs. By conducting a Reveled Preference (RP) and Stated Preference (SP) survey and developing a travel demand model, the demand was estimated and used as input to simulate and size the service. Combining GIS and simulation models, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were assessed; fleet size to meet the trip requests was identified and the fare was selected using a sensitivity analysis. The method was applied to a real case study to design a new microtransit service with flexible routes and on-demand stops in a suburban area in Palermo, Italy. The results highlight how introducing a microtransit service with 30 nine-seater vans could change the mobility habits of people living in the suburban area, being attractive and financially sustainable if costing 2 €, or just a little more than the existing fixed-route bus service. It could improve the travel experience by reducing the average waiting time at stops to around 5 min and improve access to amenities and PT hubs by guaranteeing a walking time of maximum about 8 min.

ChatGPT and Tourist Decision‐Making: An Accessibility–Diagnosticity Theory Perspective

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the role of ChatGPT in informing tourist decision‐making across different destination contexts, focusing particularly on the accessibility and diagnosticity of its recommendations. Specifically, we inform our analysis with the tenets of the Accessibility–Diagnosticity Theory (ADT), to draw insights into ChatGPT's capabilities to produce contextually relevant and personalised travel content. Our findings reveal a sophisticated and multi‐dimensional advisory approach characterised by three themes: ‘Tailored Engagement and Accessibility’, ‘Diagnosticity of Information’ and ‘Contextual Variation in Criteria Prioritisation.’ These themes and their intersections highlight ChatGPT's potential to improve tourist decision‐making by offering comprehensive and user‐centric guidance. Based on these findings, we develop a model of ChatGPT's advisory dynamics in tourism decision‐making, which illustrates how ChatGPT integrates personalised insights, diagnostic relevance and contextual adaptation, offering a blueprint for leveraging artificial intelligence in enhancing the travel experience. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical contributions of the study.

Data Analysis and Congestion Prediction Model in Intelligent Transportation Systems

The relentless march of urbanization has led to a surge in population density and a dramatic increase in the number of motor vehicles, with traffic congestion emerging as a significant barrier to urban development. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) utilize advanced information technology to monitor and analyze traffic flow in real time, playing a pivotal role in alleviating urban traffic pressures and enhancing road usage efficiency. This paper aims to propose a data analysis method based on machine learning algorithms for real-time traffic monitoring and congestion prediction, thereby providing scientific decision support for urban traffic management. The research encompasses methods of traffic data collection, including data on vehicle location, speed, and flow; preprocessing and feature extraction techniques for traffic data to improve data quality and extract features useful for congestion prediction; and the application of various machine learning algorithms to establish a traffic congestion prediction model. Additionally, this paper assesses and optimizes the model and tests it with actual traffic data to verify its effectiveness and practicality. The research findings indicate that the proposed machine learning-based method can effectively predict traffic congestion, providing a powerful tool for traffic management departments, aiding in preemptive measures to reduce traffic delays and improve the travel experience for citizens. This study not only enriches the field of intelligent transportation systems research but also provides theoretical foundations and technical support for urban traffic management practices.