Digital Detox Tourism: Assessing Tourist Expectations And Experiences

Abstract

In the hyper-connected digital age, digital detox tourism has arisen as a specialized option, allowing tourists to disengage from technology and focus on mental wellness. This research examines the expectations and experiences of tourists regarding digital detox retreats, with an emphasis on participants from Ghana. purposive sample method was utilized to guarantee the inclusion of persons who have heard of or with past experience in digital detox retreats. A total of 324 data were gathered from tourists for a four-month period. Data was gathered by a questionnaire comprising closed-ended and Likert scale questions. The survey was disseminated using social media platforms of some wellness groups (WhatsApp and Facebook), and physically at some wellness centers in Volta, Central and Greater Accra Regions. The data obtained from the completed questionnaires were analyzed utilizing statistical methods, specifically SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20). Descriptive statistics were utilized to encapsulate tourist expectations, experiences, and satisfaction levels. Inferential techniques, including chi-square analysis, were employed to ascertain significant correlations between tourist attributes and their expectations or experiences. The findings indicate an increasing interest among domestic tourists, especially women, in wellness retreats that reduce stress and enhance relaxation. Participants highlighted a preference for luxurious lodgings, mindfulness practices, and organized initiatives to promote a progressive disengagement from digital devices. Despite difficulties in disengagement, participants demonstrated significant interest in retreats that offer wellness advantages, improved social relationships, and sustained well-being. It is advisable to employ marketing methods that utilize social media to promote leisure, luxury, and customized experiences in order to engage various demographics. The study closes by emphasizing the transformative potential of digital detox tourism in promoting personal growth and arguing for its incorporation into sustainable and health-oriented tourism practices.