From livestock to families: taking pets to tourism activities in China
Xue Gong, Hongxia Qi, Jiaojiao Xie, Nandi Qi
Abstract
This research aims to explore the phenomenon of taking pets to tourism activities in China based on the hierarchical leisure constraints model. In-depth interview with 23 participants were conducted. The results identified intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of taking pets to tourism activities, as well as the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints. The analysis gave emphasis to the Chinese contextual characteristics, among which public acceptance and restrictions, and the strategy of sneaking pets into some tourism activities were highlighted. This paper provides insights into the salience of pet-human joint tourism behaviors in China and generates implications for pet owners and government.