Social connections of tourism working holiday makers

Abstract

Working-Holiday Makers (WHMs) are individuals who choose to combine work, leisure, and travel to varying degrees. WHMs spend a varied amount of time at a destination simultaneously delivering and consuming tourism services. Although their social interactions have strong impacts upon how they, other tourists, and residents experience the destination, relevant research seldom focuses on social structures within WHM communities. Underpinned by elements borrowed from community psychology and social network theory, this study explores WHMs' social connections and relationships. The results reveal parallel existence of tight social bonds and social divide in WHM communities that influence the cultural exchange taking place within them. Nationality plays a key role in their identity as foreign workers, while their perceptions of value added to the destination depend on their relationships with other tourists and the time spent at the destination. Hedonistic social environments, and influence from peers, impact WHM wellbeing in both positive and negative ways.