Underlying dimensions of tourist experiences in sun and beach destinations from travel memories in virtual communities: the case of Argentine tourists who visited destination Natal, RN (Brazil)

Abstract

The aim of the research is to understand how the latent dimensions that make up tourist experiences in the consumption of leisure trips to sun and beach destinations are characterized through the meaning of their multidimensional weave. Observation and content analysis techniques with a small/thick data approach were used to interpret the ways in which tourist experiences are manifested from digital traces in the narratives reconstructed by tourists who visited destination Natal-RN (Brazil) through travel reviews in virtual communities. The empirical study was developed in two stages: 1) the validation of theoretical categories, and 2) their subsequent thematic coding, based on the analysis of 1,450 units, and considering four aspects derived from the phases of the tourist trip (displacement; accommodation; gastronomy and on-site activities). Initially, a predominance of the functional-utilitarian element is observed, associable to perceived quality and, to a lesser extent, to accessibility. However, empirical regularities that support the meaningfulness of other components were identified and analyzed through the following categories: aesthetics; physical-sensory; sociocultural; entertainment; perceived safety; novelty; perceived hospitality; education; escapism; and a transversal emotional dimension.