Tourism and gratitude: Valuing acts of kindness

Sebastian Filep, Julian Macnaughton and Troy Glover

Annals of Tourism Research, 2017, vol. 66, issue C, 26-36

Abstract: Explorations of kindness and gratitude, a felt sense of thankfulness, are missing from tourism studies. Such explorations shed light on psychological value of relationships and social capital. We adopted a positive psychology theoretical lens to explore acts of kindness from strangers towards tourists and to understand how these acts are valued. To meet that aim, we conducted a study with twenty Canadian tourists. Through thematic analysis of semi structured, in-depth interviews, we identified these themes: trust in the other person; a sense of risk or adventurousness; novelty or authenticity of the experience; and eudaimonic growth, that is, receiving kindness from strangers indicated well-being beyond experiencing pleasures. Costs and benefits to benefactors were identified. We developed a model that explains how acts of kindness are personally valued by tourists.

Keywords: Gratitude; Kindness; Social capital; Happiness and well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:anture:v:66:y:2017:i:c:p:26-36

DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2017.05.015

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