Conceptualizing Transformative Guest Experience At Retreat Centers

Keywords

Retreat centers; Thailand; Transformative experience

Abstract

Transformative experience in a hospitality service setting is an under-addressed area. The aim of this study was to understand the transformative guest experience at retreat centers and highlight the mechanism that helped trigger the changes. The analysis of 119 online guest reviews about four popular retreats in Thailand dissected the transformative retreat experience, including guests' pre-trip state of mind, domains of changes, retreat activity participation, and stimuli in the service environment. The changes were further conceptualized on a series of spectra based on durability, magnitude, and tangibility. The findings may serve as an integrative framework to understand the mechanism by which the retreat experience acts as a functional means to guests' well-being and personal transformation. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings were discussed, followed by recommendations for future research.

Publication Date

8-1-2015

Publication Title

International Journal of Hospitality Management

Volume

49

Number of Pages

83-92

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2015.06.004

Socpus ID

84933047895 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84933047895

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