Happiness and Cultural Tourism: The Perspective of Civil Participation

M. Victoria Sanagustín-Fons, Luis B. Tobar-Pesántez and Rafael Ravina-Ripoll
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M. Victoria Sanagustín-Fons: Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza (Spain), 50005 Zaragoza, Spain
Luis B. Tobar-Pesántez: Dirección Carrera de Economía, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Cuenca 010105, Ecuador
Rafael Ravina-Ripoll: Business Organization, University of Cadiz (Spain), 11002 Cadiz, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-20

Abstract: In this research we analyze links between happiness and cultural tourism, taking the European Holy Grail Route in Spain as a cultural tourist product. Questions that arise are, among others, can cultural tourism generate understanding and social cohesion? Consequently, can it also mean increasing the happiness of both tourists and the host population? How and what can be learned from cultural tourism as a peaceful social process? Specifically, a qualitative approach was made in which we conducted semi-structured interviews with people belonging to civil society associations linked to the route. An analysis of the narratives (from the interviews) through the grounded theory was carried out. Improved individual reasons for happiness and social cohesion as a result of positive significant experiences are observed in the first step of results, and an exportable Decalogue of social behavior in cultural tourism experiences is presented and evaluated by the interviewees and shown as a research proposal.

Keywords: sustainable tourism; cultural tourism; individual and social happiness perception; civil society associations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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