Cross-generational analysis of residential place attachment to a Chinese rural destination

Drawing on data from fieldwork and interviews, this paper reports a cross-generational analysis of residential place attachment to a Chinese destination. The context of the study was the rural town of Heqiao, in Zhejiang province. Findings show that three generations share collectivised aspirations of tourism investment for rural development and the impetus of such collective expectations is to fulfil individualised generational needs. The study also reveals the roles of tourism as the national force to localise intergenerational solidarity, which informs the everyday experience of each generation toward place attachment. Policy implications are also discussed.

Automated summary

This study conducted a cross-generational analysis of residential place attachment in a rural town in Zhejiang province, China, finding that three generations share collective aspirations of tourism investment for rural development and fulfilling individual generational needs. The study also highlights the role of tourism in localizing intergenerational solidarity, shaping each generation's everyday experience of place attachment. Policy implications are discussed in the paper.