Political travel constraint: The role of Chinese popular nationalism

ABSTRACT

This study extends the leisure constraint model by examining the role that popular nationalism has in Chinese outbound travel. Using a case study approach based on the 2012 Diaoyu/Senkaku Island Incident between China and Japan, the study demonstrates how Chinese popular nationalism has the potential to shape the geopolitical environment of all outbound Chinese tourism. The study proposes a new model that can be used to illustrate how popular nationalism may affect bilateral tourism in other settings. Findings of this study offer important insights for both scholars and practitioners contributing to the understanding of the impact of Chinese popular nationalism on bilateral tourism flows.

KEYWORDS:

• Popular nationalism
• travel constraint
• Chinese outbound tourists
• Japan
• tourist flow

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mingming Cheng

Mingming Cheng is a PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, UTS Business School, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia. Mingming's core research interests and expertise deal with Chinese generation Y, outbound Chinese tourists, data science and inter-disciplinary research. (Email: [email protected])

Anthony IpKin Wong

Anthony IpKin Wong is an Associate Professor with the Faculty of International Tourism and Management, City University of Macau, Macau, China. His current research interests include tourism and hospitality marketing, service quality, international marketing, green marketing, and casino and gambling behaviors. (Email: [email protected])

Bruce Prideaux

Bruce Prideaux is a Professor with the School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Building 19, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton QLD 4702, Australia. Bruce has a wide range of research interests including protected area tourism, rural tourism, remote area tourism, indigenous tourism, urban tourism, river and canal tourism and climate change. (Email: [email protected])