Transformational Tourism: The Example of Backpackers in Tibet

Abstract

Hannam (2009) stated that travel played an important role in helping people, especially young people, to develop their inner self. Experiences, relationships and memories continue to influence ongoing journeys, including future physical travels, work lives, raising children, coping with illness, falling in love and dealing with loss. However, few studies have been done in investigating individuals’ changes during certain travel experience. The purpose of this study is to explore the general themes of transformation travel based on narrative analysis of individuals’ stories about their trips to Tibet. To reach the main goal, this study is focused on investigating three sub-questions: (1) How do travellers describe their experience in Tibet? (2) How do they narrate their personal change when they return home? (3) How do they story the relationship of personal change and the experience in Tibet? Data collection is based on in-depth interviews with eight participants. In the follow-up interviews, participants are interviewed online when they have finished their trip and returned home for four to six months.