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dc.contributorSchool of Hotel and Tourism Managementen_US
dc.contributor.advisorHung, Kam (SHTM)en_US
dc.creatorNi, Jing-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/13464-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic Universityen_US
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleDoes age matter for gaining happiness from cruise tourism? Understanding senior cruisers from a future time perspectiveen_US
dcterms.abstractAlthough cruise tourism is prosperous in North America and Europe, it only began to expand in Asia within the last decade. China has become the largest cruise market in this region, appealing to many Chinese travelers—seniors in particular. Chinese seniors’ cruise experiences merit further exploration so that firms may design products and services to meet their demands. Therefore, to better understand this consumer group, this research considers whether and how age influences their subjective well-being (SWB) derived from cruise experiences based on a future time perspective (FTP). A conceptual framework is then built to delineate the relationships among age, FTP, cruise experience choices, and SWB.en_US
dcterms.abstractTo achieve these objectives, two age groups (older and younger cruisers) were compared to discern potential differences between them. Mixed methods were adopted. First, a qualitative approach consisting of 20 photo interviews was used to obtain in-depth insights and develop a measurement scale on the cruise experience. Interview data were processed via content analysis. Second, a quantitative study was performed to investigate variables’ relationships; a series of analyses were completed (e.g., descriptive analysis, reliability testing, independent samples t tests, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and structural equation modeling).en_US
dcterms.abstractQualitative findings revealed five dimensions of Chinese travelers’ cruise experiences: operational experiences, sensory experiences, emotional experiences, cognitive experiences, and social experiences. Quantitative results uncovered four dimensions (i.e., functional experiences, sensory experiences, reflective experiences, and social and cognitive experiences) containing 10 items tied to the cruise experience. Age was negatively related to extensive travel FTP but positively related to limited travel FTP. In addition, FTP mediated the relationship between age and cruise experiences. Seniors with limited travel FTP were more likely to choose ordinary cruise experiences, whereas non-seniors with extensive travel FTP preferred extraordinary cruise experiences. Social and cognitive experiences contributed to senior and non-seniors’ cruise-related SWB. Even though seniors and non-seniors chose different cruise experiences, seniors were as happy as non-seniors.en_US
dcterms.abstractIn conclusion, this research broadens the literature on FTP and socioemotional selectivity theory (SST); enhances understanding of the cruise experience in terms of extraordinary and ordinary experiences, particularly among Chinese seniors; and enriches knowledge of travel-related SWB in a cruise context. Findings also point to practical implications for designing cruise products, services, and marketing.en_US
dcterms.extentviii, 152 pages : illustrationsen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2024en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelDHTMen_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Doctorateen_US
dcterms.LCSHOcean travelen_US
dcterms.LCSHCruise linesen_US
dcterms.LCSHOlder people -- Travel -- Chinaen_US
dcterms.LCSHWell-beingen_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.accessRightsrestricted accessen_US

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/13464