More Than a Trip: How Travel Experiences Transform Relationship Bond

Couple travel, as a significant segment within the tourism industry, has been shown to enhance relationship satisfaction, cohesion, and flexibility. However, existing research often treats travel as a holistic event, with limited exploration of specific tourism elements that drive changes in intimacy during the journey. Through semi-structured interviews and constructivist approach, this study identifies key tourism elements that enhance intimacy and reveals their underlying mechanisms. Findings indicate that positive experiences with these elements significantly correlate with increased partner closeness. This research offers a nuanced perspective on how travel shapes intimate relationships and provides practical insights for designing couple-oriented tourism products.