Solidarity during times of crisis through co-creation

Abstract

Solidarity tourism provides tourists with the opportunity to help others who are suffering during crisis by offering shared resources and a sense of community. Although solidarity in times of crisis promises attention to tourists' desires and wellbeing, there is limited evidence of this. This paper aims to understand how solidarity occurs in times of crisis by applying value co-creation. A total of 21,719 traveller posts were thematically analysed to reveal that solidarity can be achieved in various contexts through tourists' co-created care practices, which have emotional and cognitive value. Practices include co-producing, connecting, co-advocating, co-suffering and consuming collaboratively. This paper conceptualises and illustrates solidarity as a relational practice, which is an effective means of support during crises.