Work

Can you travel too much? The emotional numbness effect of travel frequency

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Based on hedonic adaptation theory, this research explores how travel frequency impacts emotional numbness. Across one pilot study and five studies using secondary data and experimental data, we find travel frequency has an inverted U-shaped effect on emotional intensity. That is tourists’ emotional intensity at first rises and then falls as travel frequency increases. It introduces tourist expertise as a measurable resource and demonstrates that it plays a mediating role in this effect. Furthermore, mystery can moderate these effects. Specifically, high mystery can alleviate emotional numbness caused by excessive travel frequency. These new findings offer valuable insights for tourism professionals aiming to create effective service strategies that improve tourist emotions.

Source: Tourism Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105190

Authors: Lujun Su, Liqin Gong, Yinghua Huang

Institutions: Central South University, San Jose State University

Language: English

Topic: Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,690

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China