Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1007243 Annals of Tourism Research 2013 24 Pages PDF
Abstract

New research is emerging on the relationships between tourism and quality of life (QOL) and subjective well-being (SWB). This paper develops a measure of SWB and reports findings from a two-step survey that measured changes in well-being amongst low-income individuals who had received financial support to access a holiday break (‘social tourists’). This is the first study to assess well-being amongst social tourists. The findings indicate that tourism contributes to social tourist’s well-being. There are greater effects in some areas including psychological resources, leisure and family life domains contributing to social well-being. Social tourists have lower levels of SWB than the general population. Further studies are needed to compare tourism’s contribution to SWB amongst mainstream tourists.

► Demonstrates link between social tourism and improvements in subjective well-being. ► Develops a measure of subjective well-being useful for future tourism studies. ► Extends the debate around tourism’s effects on quality of life and well-being. ► Contributes to social science understanding of tourism’s effects on individuals.

Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Business, Management and Accounting Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
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