Exploring tourists’ experiences using digital resources : analyzing Chinese tourists visiting the Geiranger fjord using travel blogs

Abstract

This paper explores the experiences of Chinese tourists who visit the Geiranger fjord by using 196 blog posts of tourist’s description of their experience. Our analysis shows that 92 percent of the blog posts portray positive experiences. Using grounded theory, we identify five constructs representing core motivational ideas. The most interesting construct we identify is the Chinese tourists’ interest and idealization of the Norwegian and Scandinavian way of living and culture.