Travel in my life: queer identity, travel motivation, resilience, life-satisfaction and wellbeing

Abstract

Tourism can enhance the wellbeing of the queer communities. Using identity-based motivation theory, this study proposes that queer identity and life-satisfaction influence travel motivation, psychological resilience, travel wellbeing, and tourist activity choice. This proposition is quantitatively tested on 473 queer Australians. Results suggest identity positively affects travel motivation but not psychological resilience. Travel motivation significantly influences psychological resilience, travel wellbeing, and tourist activity choice. Life-satisfaction positively influences travel motivation, psychological resilience, and travel wellbeing. These relationships highlight travel as an important means for building resilience and enhancing the wellbeing of queer people, having theoretical and managerial implications.