Examining Chinese adult children’s motivations for traveling with their parents

• Published in: Tourism management (1982) 2018-12, Vol.69, p.422-433
• Main Authors: Wang, Wangfei, Yi, Liusu, Wu, Mao-Ying, Pearce, Philip L., Huang, Songshan (Sam)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chinese adult children; Chinese senior parents; Family travel; Travel motivations
• ISSN: 0261-5177; 1879-3193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2018.06.024

This study examines Chinese adult children’s holiday travel with their parents as a unique type of family travel. A netnographic examination of 158 detailed online blogs was conducted to explore the adult children’s motivations for taking such travels. The results of the netnographic study revealed that the motivations for traveling with their parents by Chinese young adults include health and recovery, novelty and knowledge, commemoration and celebration, dream fulfillment, family togetherness and relationship, compensation and reward, expression of filial piety, escape and relaxation, and pleasure seeking. These motivations can be classified as parent-oriented motivations, family-oriented motivations and self-oriented motivations. The study identifies features of the adult children-senior parents’ travel market and offers insights about the continuity of family roles in the social context of an aging Chinese society. Marketing implications for this growing Chinese market are provided. •Assesses the motivations of family travel comprised of adult children and their parents.•This netnographic study indicated three levels of interactive motivations (parent-, family- and self-oriented).•Chinese cultural values, especially the Confucian culture, exert powerful influences on the motivations.•Adds knowledge to family tourism research, and tourism motivation studies from a cultural perspective.•Practical implications are drawn for both destination marketing organizations and public agencies.