Unraveling The Mechanisms Behind Chinese Outbound Tourist Shopping: A Social Practice Perspective

Chinese outbound tourist shopping is a prominent phenomenon in many destinations, but the mechanisms behind it have rarely been addressed. This study draws upon social practice theory to examine why shopping dominates the tourist experience of Chinese travelers in Australia. Thirty-two semistructured interviews were conducted to identify key social and consumption practices that lead to the dominance of Chinese outbound tourist shopping. The study argues that the shopping practices of Chinese tourists result from a combination of Chinese consumerism and guanxi maintenance under the condition of outbound travel. This study contributes to a holistic understanding of Chinese outbound tourist shopping by revealing how it is embedded in broader consumption practices in China.