Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Keywords

Liminality, Insight, Travel narrative, Content analysis

Abstract

Travel narratives, both historical and modern, depict a hero’s quest for insight and self-discovery where the outward journey is a literal and metaphorical search for one’s authentic self, spirituality, and life’s meaning. This article reports the results of a study that examined the association between travel’s liminal experience and insight. Using content analysis of 50 published adventure travel narratives, a significant association between insight and liminality was identified, and the tentative conclusion that liminal experience may be a stimulus for insight was made. Variables (solo/group travel, travel motivation, gender, and cultural novelty) hypothesized to moderate the association between liminality and insight were also explored. Hierarchical log linear modeling identified only one significant three-way association: travel motive. Travelers who sought to escape negative associations with home were less likely to experience liminality and insight than those who were motivated to travel for other reasons.

Publication Title

Tourism Review International

Volume

21

First Page

223

Last Page

239

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3727/154427217X15022104437701

Required Publisher's Statement

Copyright © 2017 Cognizant, LLC.

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Travel writing--History and criticism; Liminality in literature; Spiritual biography

Genre/Form

articles

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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