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Chance meetings, the destination paradox, and the social origins of travel – Predicting traveler’s whereabouts?
Journal
Tourist Studies
ISSN
14687976
ISSN-Digital
17413206
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Have you ever unexpectedly met someone you already knew in a remote travel destination? Many people have or will at least a couple times in their travel biography. In this article, we theorize how such chance meetings help better understand the socially embedded nature of travel behavior and choice. We validate the underlying assumptions with an exploratory empirical study. By conceptualizing chance meetings and connecting them with social network theory, we get closer to predicting where people precisely travel and what activities they engage in at particular points in time. This socially embedded perspective transcends the importance of attractions and activities as object of reference between traveler and place. Broadly, these findings contribute to the discussion on the social origins of travel and on how choices are taken in travel.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
None
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Sage Publishing
Volume
18
Number
4
Start page
417
End page
441
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
251371