Tinder Tourism: Tourist experiences beyond the tourism industry realm

There is mounting evidence that an increasing number of tourists are using the dating application (‘app’) Tinder. This paper explores this phenomenon, including how Tinder users engage with the app prior to, during and following their travel, and whether their engagement aligns with theories pertaining to the stages of becoming a tourist. In order to investigate Tinder’s potential to enhance the tourism experience, the research employed a qualitative approach utilizing in depth interviews with Australians who had used Tinder while travelling. The findings demonstrate that Tinder plays a significant role in the tourism experience, for example by allowing instant access to local knowledge, and providing company for solo travellers. Further it demonstrates that Tinder tourists seek control of their own experience by using a non-traditional tourism app, which has implications for what the tourism industry can offer.