23 JAN 2026 (FRI) 15:00-15:15

GEOG HKU
5 days ago
1 min read

HKU GEOGRAPHY: Monthly Research Talks

The value of negativity for tourism resilience: A second-wave positive psychology approach

Date: 23 JAN 2026 (Friday)

Time: 15:00-15:15 (HKT)

Via Zoom: https://hku.zoom.us/j/98300713382?pwd=dGdqelhpWUwyOENmTUJyalVKemtHQT09

(No registration required)

Abstract:

This talk explains how negative emotions enable tourism resilience as readily as positive ones, and it advances tourism resilience theory using second-wave positive psychology (SWPP). SWPP argues negative emotions can have positive effects, providing an alternative to mainstream positive psychology that prioritises positive emotions. A qualitative research design involving eleven interviews with nine tourism workers in China who survived the COVID-era restrictions was applied. Findings revealed negative emotions including resentment and bitterness helped tourism workers survive the shutdown of the tourism industry by providing alternatives to more damaging emotions like fear, sadness and anger. The paper argues negative emotions generate resilience and it advances tourism resilience theory by applying SWPP. For tourism managers and policymakers, efforts to instil a positive outlook among tourism workers during crises might be unnecessary.