Abstract
This paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding emotional tourism through the integrated lens of storytelling and cultural intelligence. It proposes a modular structure for analysing and designing emotionally engaging tourism experiences that connect meaning, identity, and sustainability. The conceptual model is developed across ten interrelated modules addressing core psychological and cultural dimensions of travel. The first three modules explore the psychology of experience, destination identity, and narrative construction, outlining how emotion and storytelling shape perception and memory. The following sections examine intercultural communication and cultural sensitivity as essential competencies for tourism professionals in diverse contexts. Drawing on Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, the model positions travel as a search for meaning and self-transcendence. Case studies of experiential tourism are analysed to illustrate best practices in empathy-driven design. Reflective writing and travel journaling are discussed as tools for emotional awareness and learning. Subsequent modules focus on digital storytelling, content creation, and the principles of designing emotionally resonant visitor experiences. The framework culminates in a synthesis of insights, offering a model for sustainable destination management that unites emotion, narrative, and cultural understanding. The study contributes to tourism scholarship by demonstrating how storytelling and cultural intelligence can transform tourism into a reflective, inclusive, and human-centred practice.
Presenters
Stilyana PeychevaLecturer in Emotional Tourism, Cultural Heritage and Experiential Tourism, Researcher – Emotional Tourism and Cultural Intelligence Studies, Varna, Bulgaria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Changing Dimensions of Contemporary Tourism
KEYWORDS
Emotional Tourism; Storytelling; Cultural Intelligence; Destination Identity; Heritage Interpretation; Experiential
