Digital Detox Tourism at The Egyptian Destination: Attitudes and Motivators

Abstract

Although the advantages of Information Communication Technology (ICT), there is a dark side to its overuse, addiction to technology causes physical and psychological human risks. This research aims to understand the phenomena of Digital Detox Tourism (DDT); explore technology usage amongst the digital natives and digital immigrants; delve into tourists' awareness of the impacts of ICT's excessive usage; investigate tourists' attitudes towards DDT, and identify motivators to be disconnected during their trips. An online structured questionnaire was applied, a total of valid 348 responses are analyzed. The results show the digital natives' addiction to technology, almost all of them spent more than four hours daily. The findings indicate that respondents have a good awareness of the impacts of technology overuse. Further, the study points to the advantages of being disconnected at the tourism destination. The findings identify four motivators that encourage tourists to participate in DDT; escapism, relaxation, health and wellbeing, and relationship. The study can help destination policy-makers to better provide the supply and activities that refresh tourists' minds and achieve well-being; promote DDT as a travel choice to improve tourists' mindful experience and enhance their engagement with the surrounding environment.

Internet interventions and therapies for addressing the negative impact of digital overuse: a focus on digital free tourism and economic sustainability

“…In the field of tourism, the motivations of tourists on a DFT trip have been examined the effects that a DFT experience can have on well-being [ 7 , 27 – 29 ] and also on health [ 9 , 16 , 30 ].…”

“…Several studies have shown that enjoying a vacation with family or friends is beneficial for social relationships [ 16 ]. In addition, vacations help create close bonds that increase sociability [ 29 ], promote face-to-face communication [ 45 ], build trust [ 26 ] and generate social and family commitment [ 39 ].…”

“…DFT can allow tourists to escape from their usual work routines and disconnect in the middle of nature with limited use of IT [ 29 , 52 ]. This increases the feeling of well-being and relaxation [ 6 , 15 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…Several investigations have concluded that certain factors, such as social and family engagement, nature connectedness and health relaxation, favour the intention to participate in a DFT experience and positively affect tourists’ behavioural intention [ 7 , 15 , 29 ].…”

“…As seen above, an immersive trip in nature can motivate a person to escape from a hyperconnected world [ 18 , 26 ]. This increases tourists’ enjoyment of the trip [ 29 ]. This approach has been supported by other studies researching digital disconnection experiences at destinations surrounded by nature, such as campsites [ 26 ], detox retreats [ 61 ] or mountain huts [ 49 ].…”