Katherine Holwick

Sleeping with Strangers:

Redefining experiences in a CouchSurfing world

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This thesis seeks to examine the relationship between authenticity, intimacy and co-creation in regards to tourism experiences. In order to explore the relationship between the three phenomena, the visitor/host interaction facilitated through CouchSurfing, an international online hospitality network, is used. This thesis focuses on the analyses of tourist experiences, drawing from narratives provided by interviewees. A sample of CouchSurfers were asked to share and elaborate on their opinions, and beliefs about CouchSurfing. From my findings I determined that authentic experiences are intimate, and most often involve interaction with local people. Authenticity and intimacy work concurrently with each other, meaning that when intimacy is experienced between host/guest, the experience feels more authentic and vice versa. It has been concluded that Co-creation helps make an experience authentic. Tourists and locals are linked through emotions and connections that arise from interaction together. Intimacy allows for meaningful co-creation, and meaningful co-creation way to authentic experiences.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
• Aufl.
• Seitenzahl: 60
• Erscheinungstermin: 9. November 2011
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 220mm x 150mm x 4mm
• Gewicht: 107g
• ISBN-13: 9783846553299
• ISBN-10: 3846553298
• Artikelnr.: 34506136

Autorenporträt

Katherine Holwick was born and raised in Huntington Beach, USA. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from Chapman University in California, USA. From there she moved to Sweden to attend Lund University's Campus Helsingborg, where she earned her Master's of Science in Service Management.