My life matters here: Assessing the adjusted identity of domestic migrant workers at intangible cultural heritage tourism businesses in China

Qi Yan York, Libo Yan, Haobin Ye Ben

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, we explore and assess the nature of the double guests and host roles of tourism migrant workers (TMWs), and their effects on the TWSs' adjusted person-place relationships and local identities by employing a systematic modeling approach in the context of the TMWs working in the intangible cultural tourism (ICH) businesses. The research site is fittingly set in Suzhou of east China, a destination whose rich historical and cultural heritages are now co-expressed and co-presented by a migrant workforce that has already outsized the locals. Research findings have shown that the socio-cultural adjustments availed by working in the ICH tourism businesses positively influence the local identities of TMWs, as mediated by their place attachment. This study advances a theoretical understanding of the mechanism of migrant integration in the particular context of cultural tourism development, and shows how tourism can contribute towards healthy, rather than stigmatizing, dialogues pertaining to migrant integration in the society at large.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100856
JournalTourism Management Perspectives
Volume39
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Intangible cultural heritage tourism
  • Local identity
  • Place attachment
  • Sociocultural adjustment
  • Tourism migrant workers

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'My life matters here: Assessing the adjusted identity of domestic migrant workers at intangible cultural heritage tourism businesses in China'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this