Conceptualizing meaningful experiences

M. Bastiaansen, M.D. Duerden*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Despite increased interest in experience and experience design in hospitality, tourism, and leisure, the field remains emergent. For experience design to mature in research and practice, clear consensus conceptualization of key constructs, like memorable, meaningful, and transformative experiences, is needed. While existing research identifies emotions as the key to memorable experiences, more conceptual work is needed to understand the unique impact and process behind meaningful experiences. This paper proposes an expanded conceptualization of the impact and process associated with meaningful experiences. We suggest that as individuals reflect on existing experiential (i.e., autobiographical) memories, they can extract insight from those memories. If any of the extracted insights connect with core sources of meaning, then the individuals perceive their experience as meaningful. Suggestions for potential strategies to design for meaningful experiences are also shared.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2024

Keywords

  • Experience design
  • Experience impact
  • Experience type framework
  • Meaning in life
  • Meaningful experience
  • Tourism experience

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