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The symbolism of international tourism in national identity

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  • Yang, I-Chieh Michelle
  • French, Juliana Angeline
  • Lee, Christina
  • Watabe, Motoki

Abstract

Drawing on symbolic interactionism, this paper explores the nexus between tourism and national identity in China. Unlike current research's focus on the role of inbound heritage tourism sites in fostering national identity, this study uses symbolic interactionism to frame an analysis of how Chinese national identity is expressed and affirmed as a phenomenon of experiential consumption through the act of international outbound tourism. A multi-method approach guided the data collection from 28 Chinese tourists in two groups. Data analysis follows a constructivist grounded theory approach that is expressly suited to symbolic interactionism. The findings revealed that international tourism offers a platform on which to affirm and express Chinese national identity through the symbolic interaction between Chinese tourists and the world outside of China.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, I-Chieh Michelle & French, Juliana Angeline & Lee, Christina & Watabe, Motoki, 2020. "The symbolism of international tourism in national identity," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:83:y:2020:i:c:s0160738320301109
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2020.102966
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhu, Jinsheng (Jason) & Airey, David & Siriphon, Aranya, 2021. "Chinese outbound tourism: An alternative modernity perspective," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    2. Shu-Ning Zhang & Wen-Qi Ruan & Ting-Ting Yang, 2021. "National Identity Construction in Cultural and Creative Tourism: The Double Mediators of Implicit Cultural Memory and Explicit Cultural Learning," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, August.
    3. Unger, Orit & Uriely, Natan & Fuchs, Galia, 2021. "On-site animosity and national identity: Business travelers on stage," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    4. Anastasiadou, Constantia & Pilcher, Nick & Gutu, Mavis & Panyik, Emese, 2023. "EU tourism and student identities in a pre-BREXIT UK," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).

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