Ep.5 Exploring Digital-Free Travel: Benefits, Challenges, and the Dark Side

In this episode of the 'In the Meantime' podcast, hosts Dr. Lauren Siegel and Dr. Rami Shamseen discuss with Dr. Wenjie Cai the concept of digital free travel. Dr. Cai explains the difference between digital detox and digital free travel, emphasising a balanced relationship with technology. The conversation covers Dr. Cai's research on digital-free travel, its impact on travellers, and the collaboration with the 'unplugged cabin' initiative. They also delve into the emotional journey and withdrawal symptoms participants experience, the societal implications, and future steps to promote digital wellbeing in hospitality and tourism. Dr. Cai emphasises the importance of preparing for a digital detox to ensure a positive experience and highlights ongoing research projects and potential developments in creating digital free destinations. If you are interested in Dr.Cai's research, please find his publications below: Cai, W., & McKenna, B. (2021). Power and Resistance: Digital-Free Tourism in a Connected World. Journal of Travel Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875211061208   Cai, W., McKenna, B., & Waizenegger, L. (2020). Turning it off: Emotions in digital-free travel. Journal of Travel Research, 59(5), 909-927. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287519868314 ​ Floros, C., Cai, W., McKenna, B., & Ajeeb, D. (2019) Imagine being off-the-grid: Millennials' Perceptions of Digital-Free Travel, Journal of Sustainable Tourism.  https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2019.1675676 ​ McKenna, B., Waizenegger, L., & Cai, W. (2020). The influence of personal and professional commitments on digitally disconnected experiences. In IFIP International Conference on Human Choice and Computers (pp. 305-314). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62803-1_24   00:11 Meet Dr. Wenjie Cai 00:50 Understanding Digital Free Travel 02:09 The Unplugged Cabin Experience 06:26 Emotional Responses to Digital Detox 08:38 Practical Tips for Digital Detox 17:58 Exploring the Dark Side of Digital Detox 27:44 Future Research and Collaborations 28:34 Conclusion and Farewell