Disconnecting to better reconnect: the consumer’s state of resonant availability

Abstract

In a hypermodern world of continuous acceleration and pressure, consumers yearn for bubbles in their lives where they can disconnect and let go of their daily burdens. This article looks at the disconnection-reconnection dialectic in the context of mountains, the practice of long-distance hiking and refuges. Through a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews and participant observation, the study identifies the new concept of resonant availability playing a central role in this dialectic. Expressed spontaneously, resonant availability reflects the state felt by consumer tourists and is illustrated through five dimensions: humility, immediacy, serenity, idleness, and acceptance. The article also identifies the different mechanisms that contribute to this dynamic and demonstrates to which social objects consumers reconnect. The results shed light on tourism stakeholders’ communication and experience design strategies.