Online expression as Well-be(com)ing: A study of travel blogs on Nepal by Chinese female tourists

摘要

Many Chinese female tourists' travel blogs depict Nepal as an undeveloped destination, while also describe it as a "land of happiness". This contradiction triggers the question: How can potential tourists interpret their wellbeing experience from these descriptions? This study concentrates on a thematic analysis of 28 travel blogs based on the adjustment of Goffman's Dramaturgy. It summarises these well-being features: preparations; 2 three-act plays of well-being; 3 expressing strategies to approach well-being. It concludes that female tourists have access to well-being by expressing themselves online, instead of using standard valuation for their subjective well-being. These findings benefit aspiring tourists, as well as destination marketing organization or travel operators to improve their promotions of Nepal as a destination. Moreover, "well-being" is no longer a comprehensive noun depicting the static mind/state but be replaced by "well-becoming", illustrating the enduring process of people's pursuing happiness.