Destination Choice and the Behavioural Patterns of Solo Travel Content Creators in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This research study explores some unseen aspects of the lived experiences of solo travel content creators in Sri Lanka with two main objectives. Namely, the destination choice and the behavioural patterns demonstrated during their solo travelling pre-, during, and post-stages. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to seek a structure of the lived experiences of the respondents, who are nine solo travel content creators on mainstream social media (Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram). The purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents. In-depth interviews were the primary data collection method, and the contents were used to supplement the interview data further. Thus, thematic and conventional content analyses were used, respectively. The content analysis also helped establish the study's trustworthiness through analytical triangulation. The selection of geographically unique and culturally rich destinations has become the top priority of the respondents' destination choices. Such destinations largely remain hidden or lesser known at the time of their discovery; according to the research findings, motivations to explore destinations as solitary cause the continuation of solo travelling. However, they tend to limit or discontinue solo travelling when it is familiar and hinders them. The implications of the study findings will be essential to understanding the lived experience of solo travellers who are also in the unique niche of 'content creators'. Further, it helps reveal the behavioural patterns by understanding the behavioural characteristics of solo travel content creators in Sri Lanka of social, environmental and economic significance.