Psychological restoration and transformative experiences of recreational vehicle tourists

The major aim of this study is to investigate how recreational vehicle (RV) travel generates tourists’ psychological restoration and transformative experiences. Three antecedents are proposed in the research model, namely serendipity, social interaction, and connectedness to nature. The data were collected from 469 tourists who had RV travel experience in the past year. Structural equation modelling was used for data analysis. The findings are threefold: first, serendipity, social interaction, and connectedness to nature lead to the transformative experience of RV tourists; second, serendipity, social interaction, and connectedness to nature contribute to the psychological restoration of RV tourists; and third, psychological restoration plays a mediating role between the three antecedents and transformative experience. The theoretical implications lie in the role of RV travel in maintaining and expanding the self.