Up close and personal: Using high engagement techniques to study Chinese visitors' landscape perceptions. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ye, Isabella Qing; Hughes, Karen; Walters, Gabby; Mkono, Mucha
• Is Part Of: Tourism management perspectives. Volume 33(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: High engagement techniques -- Accompanied walk -- Visitor employed photography (VEP) -- Chinese visitors -- Landscape perception; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmp.2019.100629
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-9736

Abstract

Abstract: Given the well-documented increase in Chinese outbound tourists, it is no surprise that the Chinese market continues to attract considerable scholarly interest. Previous studies have been primarily quantitative, using methods and instruments administered prior to and/or immediately after visitation. While useful, such approaches may struggle to capture the complex cultural attributes of the Chinese market. Accordingly, this paper proposes the adoption of high-engagement (HE) methods, namely Accompanied Walk and Visitor Employed Photography (VEP), as additional in-situ techniques for studying Chinese visitors. Drawing on fieldwork conducted at Ulur u-Kata Tjut a National Park, this paper details the procedures of using HE approaches to collect data. An insider positionality and triangulation of data from multiple techniques are particularly useful for unravelling cultural nuances. The strengths of each method in obtaining quality data from Chinese tourists are discussed, together with strategies for overcoming challenges encountered in the field. Highlights: Introduces high engagement approaches for studying Chinese tourists in-situ . Shows Chinese outbound tourists have unique ways of perceiving tourism landscapes. Discusses strengths and challenges of high engagement approaches, with examples. Provides strategies for using these techniques to study the Chinese market.