The Constructions of Family Holidays in Young Middle-class Malaysian Chinese Children

ABSTRACT

The absence of children in tourism research has been identified by past scholars but the rising attention on Asians consumers in tourism has also implied that the voices of Chinese children need to be heard. This study triangulates 14 young Malaysian Chinese children’s drawings of their favorite family holidays with open-ended interview questions. The drawings were analyzed using the five thematic levels according to a model of analysis of children’s drawings. Findings revealed the collectivistic Confucian value of family and education during family vacations, but also highlight what Chinese children conceptualized as fun holiday activities. A number of suggestions are provided for future research and for tourism practitioners to provide memorable holiday experiences for their young travelers.

摘要

学者指出过往的旅游研究中缺少儿童，亚洲旅游消费者对儿童的关注越多，亦意味着需要倾听华裔儿童的声音。本研究对十四名马来西亚华裔儿童的家庭假期画像进行了三角测量，并提供开放式访问问题。 根据儿童绘画分析模型，使用五个专题水平分析画像。 研究结果揭示了在休假期间集体主义的儒家家庭和教育价值观，同时也突出了华裔儿童将其概念化为有趣的假日活动。本文亦为未来的研究和旅游从业者提供建议。

KEYWORDS:

• Family tourism
• Chinese
• Asian
• Confucianism
• children
• drawing

关键词:

• 家庭旅游
• 亚洲
• 儒
• 儿童
• 绘画
• 定性

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the principal role of Ms. Ben Li Cheah during the data collection process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Taylor’s Research Grant Scheme Programme [Project Code TRGS/1/2012/TCHT/012];

Notes on contributors

Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore

Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith Business School at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia (E-mail: [email protected]).