Unlocking eudaimonic well-being: The transformative power of memorable travel experiences for people with physical disabilities

While research on memorable travel experiences (MTEs) is extensive, understanding their significance for tourists with physical disabilities (TwPDs) remains limited. This study employed qualitative methods to explore TwPDs’ experiences, revealing the essential components of MTEs, their impact on eudaimonic well-being, and the mechanisms underlying their transformation into profound states of well-being. Data collection involved 46 in-depth interviews and two focus groups in China, utilizing the critical incident technique and thematic analysis. MTEs for TwPDs emerge from immersive engagements with people, events, and objects in a disabling social context, categorized into interpersonal interaction, physical and mental challenges, and experiential discovery. Following MTEs, these tourists often engage in various forms of social comparison, leading to diverse eudaimonic well-being outcomes. The study underscores the transformative power of MTEs for TwPDs and highlights the crucial role of social comparison in boosting well-being, offering valuable insights for tourism policy and industry management.