Social Aspects of Tourism Atmosphere and Emotional Contagion in Destinations

Abstract

In this chapter, emotional interactions between tourists and the individuals they are potentially in interaction with are examined within the scope of social aspects of tourism atmosphere. Emotional interactions were analysed under the framework of emotional contagion. Regardless of whether the fact that emotional contagion occurs in non-conscious or conscious way, tourists are open to emotional cues to come from other individuals. Emotions of other individuals can influence tourists' behavioural intentions by shaping their emotions. This chapter suggests a number of propositions, and develops a conceptual model to capture the role of emotional interactions.