Family travel with kids : the implication of parents' identities on a vacation experience

Abstract

Family travel is one of the largest tourism markets, and family travel research is growing (M. Li et al., 2020; Schänzel & Yeoman, 2015; M.Y. Wu & Wall, 2016); however, the endeavor in this area still lacks depth and scope (M. Li et al., 2020). This study explores the construct of role identity of parents to better explain family travel experience following the lenses of experience fitting personal identity (Cowan & Spielmann, 2020; Gartner & Ruzzier, 2011), where a vacation is a form of a self-impression. This study aims to unpack how role-identities of parents are (re)constructed and experienced through vacation recollected memories. A qualitative methodology under the constructivist paradigm was adopted, the data analysis followed the narrative case-based approach that targeted the development of a variety of themes rather than generalization. The data was collected from March to November 2021 through individual and joined interviews online and face to face with each studied family case that implied a deep level of engagement. Interviews were used to embrace storytelling that helped underpin the role-identifications of parents and recover travel experiences as they shape memories and impressions over time (McGregor & Holmes, 1999; Tung & Ritchie, 2011; Woodside et al., 2008). The findings of this research allow us to more comprehensively outline the identity expression and transformation within the vacation settings in comparison to separately identified self-perceptions. This study found that differentiation between parents' role-identities on vacation in a post-modern family are more clarified, where a vacation can be seen not only as a duty or compartmentalization of parental roles; but also as a source of personal transformation and restoration beyond the sense of duty or compartmentalization of parental roles.