Zhang, Jingru ORCID: 0000-0003-4546-5576, Tucker, Hazel, Morrison, Alastair M. ORCID: 0000-0002-0754-1083 and Wu, Bihu (2017) Becoming a backpacker in China: A grounded theory approach to identity construction of backpackers. Annals of Tourism Research, 64. pp. 114-125. ISSN 0160-7383 (doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2017.03.004)

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Abstract

Backpacking tourism has gained in popularity among Chinese young people since the 1990s. While learning from their western counterparts, Chinese backpackers have also developed their own unique group identification strategies. By focusing on how backpacker identity is socially constructed in the Chinese context, this research explores the meaning and process of becoming a backpacker in China. Grounded theory was adopted, and the structure “image-identity-strategy” emerged to organise the process of becoming a backpacker into three phases. The findings show that Chinese backpackers employ various strategies to continuously negotiate and reconstruct their backpacker identity. It is thereby shown how the process itself of becoming a backpacker is always ongoing.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Backpackers; Backpacking; Identity; Social construction; Becoming; Grounded theory
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business Faculty of Business > Department of Marketing, Events & Tourism
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2020 09:24
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/26299

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