Culture-Based Interpretation of Vacation Consumption

Abstract

Drawing on typologies of consumption values, this study identifies and interprets the cultural divergence reflected in vacation experience. Through analysis of reviews by tourists from China and the United States, three salient themes of vacation experience emerged: scenery, food, and social interaction. Although all three aspects were addressed by both Chinese and American tourists, a closer look revealed that they had been assessed from quite different perspectives. The divergence in values is found to be instigated by unique cultural dispositions, which in turn links to tourist behavioral characteristics. Findings from the current research would help destinations in providing services to Chinese tourists.

本研究基于不同类型的消费价值，理解并诠释了度假体验中体现出的文化差异。通过分析中美两国游客的评论，本研究总结出了关于度假体验的三个特色主题 – 风景、食物及社交互动。虽然中美两国游客均强调了这三个方面的重要性，但进一步分析表明他们评估的角度非常不同。独特文化倾向造成了价值上的分歧，这亦可见于游客行为特征。研究结果将有助旅游目的地为中国游客提供服务。

Keywords:

• Culture
• consumption values
• vacation experience
• Chinese tourists
• American tourists

Keywords:

• 文化
• 消费价值
• 度假体验
• 中国游客
• 美国游客