Non-interaction and identity change in Covid-19 tourism

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021.103211Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Examines social identity change brought by the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Conceptualises social non-interaction during the pandemic

  • Apply social identity theory to understand tourist experience during crises

  • Link social identity change with social (non-)interaction

  • Highlights the fluidity and contextuality of social identity through tourism

Abstract

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the fundamental desire for social interaction in international tourism. It is vital to understand how the loss of meaningful social interaction will impact on tourists' identity change. As the pandemic first appeared in Wuhan, capital city of Hubei province in central China, the study focuses on Chinese tourists' reflections on social identity change and its associated non-interaction during the time of the unexpected crisis. Using the constructivist grounded theory approach, this qualitative research explains how non-interaction with people and place influences, and indeed is influenced by, changes in their social identities during the crisis, and shapes their future social behaviours. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords

Social identity
China
Virus
Social distancing
Social interaction

Cited by (0)

Carol X. Zhang's research focuses on identity related issues in tourism.

Liang Wang's current research interests include eTrust in tourism and data-driven tourist behaviour analysis.

Jillian M. Rickly's research interests include authenticity/alienation, accessibility and tourism mobilities.

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