Barriers to offering special interest tour products to the Chinese outbound group market

Jin, Xin (Cathy) and Beverley Sparks

Tourism Management, 2017, vol. 59, issue C, 205-215

Abstract: As Chinese outbound tourists expand in numbers and diversity, they may seek more challenging special interest tourism (SIT) activities. Tourists' participation in SIT activities can be profitable to a wider range of providers, enhance destination image, and enrich tourists' experiences. This research investigated the opportunities for offering SIT products to the China outbound group market by interviewing 20 Chinese outbound tour operators to examine the extent of interest in developing the product as well as factors driving or hindering the development. Findings revealed four types of barriers that influence operators’ willingness to incorporate SIT activities in their product offerings. Drawing on a critical social theory approach that focuses on 'enlightenment' and 'critique', this paper argues the validity of these perceived barriers - operators are risk-averse for institutionalised practical, social, cultural, and policy-related reasons.

Keywords: Special interest tourism; Chinese outbound travel; Operator (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:touman:v:59:y:2017:i:c:p:205-215

DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2016.08.007

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