EVENTS AS THERAPY: Connecting the liminal and everyday field to enhance mental wellness in urban destinations

Xueting Zhai, Dixi Zhong, Qiuju Luo and Peiying Lu

Annals of Tourism Research, 2024, vol. 109, issue C

Abstract: A shift in the attraction of urban tourism from city landscape to city life is observed, as events become key place-makers. Responding to recent calls for urban wellness tourism that benefits locals and tourists alike, we conceptualize events as therapy in urban destinations based on Lewin's field theory. Qualitative interviews at three community events targeting at young cohorts were conducted. Results indicate that the therapeutic effects of these events can emerge in three interlinked fields: event, everyday life, and participants' psychology. Results emphasize how the everyday nature of events encourages reconnection with urban life as both the process and result of events as therapy. Considering those results, we conclude by discussing the novel role of events in improving mental wellness.

Keywords: Urban wellness tourism; Events; Therapy; Field theory; Young generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:anture:v:109:y:2024:i:c:s0160738324001026

DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2024.103825

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