Children’s diaspora tourism and its implication on national identity

Abstract

In the age of globalisation and transnational immigration, the formation and construction of national identities have gained prominence, particularly for children growing up in a global environment. Despite the increasing popularity of national identity as a subject in political, economic and social studies, the voices of children concerning national identity remain underrepresented in academia. Additionally, the study of national identity has been given considerable attention in the field of tourism. Diaspora tourism, wherein individuals travel to their ancestral countries, fosters long-distance nationalism, reshapes tourists’ geographical imaginations and reconstructs their national identity regarding their homeland. This study investigates overseas Chinese children’s diaspora tourism and its influence on their national identity. Utilising the theoretical frameworks of geographical imagination, performance and performativity, the study employs a qualitative approach, guided by constructivist grounded theory, to collect and analyse data. The research first explores the unique perspectives of children on their diaspora tourism experiences, acknowledging that children perceive travel differently from adults and that their voices warrant consideration. Next, the study explores the ‘Chineseness’ of overseas Chinese children (particularly second-generation immigrant children) and delves into the construction and performance of their ‘homeland’ national identity during diaspora tourism. Finally, the research investigates these immigrant children’s geographical imagination, offering insights into their perceptions of China as a geographically imagined community. By integrating various theoretical perspectives, the present study contributes significantly to the literature on tourism and national identity. In addition to providing practical insights into diaspora tourism and children’s tourism, the research could help overseas Chinese children navigate their national identity amidst globalisation and transnationalism.