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Are authentic tourists happier? Examining structural relationships amongst perceived cultural distance, existential authenticity, and wellbeing
Author(s) -
Yu Jibin,
Li Hanliang,
Xiao Honggen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of tourism research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.155
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1522-1970
pISSN - 1099-2340
DOI - 10.1002/jtr.2324
Subject(s) - existentialism , eudaimonia , social psychology , psychology , tourism , epistemology , philosophy , political science , law
Abstract The existential authenticity theory and eudaimonism theory imply that perceived cultural distance facilitates existential authenticity, which then conduces to hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. This study examined these presumptions basing on quantitative data collected through questionnaire survey in China. Results suggest that perceived cultural distance is not related to existential authenticity, and existential authenticity is positively related to hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. Hence, physically breaking away from one's home culture does not guarantee existential authenticity, and experiencing greater existential authenticity is related to correspondingly greater hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. Theoretical and practical implications of this research are also discussed.