Sixth International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies

Abstract

The internet allows connectivity with people anywhere in the world. Early on in growth of the internet, theorists predicted that virtual communities would develop so participants could share information on a variety of topics. There are many online subcultures, communities or “e-tribes” that are dedicated to specialized or narrow interest groups. This research used a qualitative netnographic examination of people’s participation in online Facebook groups dedicated to a variety of hobbies – hiking and bicycle touring. These groups appear to be online “leisure communities”. The results demonstrate that these groups provide a considerable amount of information and support to these niche communities. In this case hundreds of participants made use of these Facebook groups as their online community. Participants around the world requested and shared information and opinions on equipment, planning, routes, and experiences. Posters varied in their use of the online community, from frequently active to one-time users. Almost all requesters seem to benefit from basic information on equipment and routes. The discussion was overwhelmingly positive and supportive where more experienced hikers and bikers mentor and encouraged others. This study demonstrates that online communication can develop into virtual community or “e-tribes.” This analysis examined several Facebook groups across two leisure time activities. Although we hope they generalize to other e-tribes or social networks, we did not investigate how long people remained a member of the groups, or what percentage moved from novices to more experienced hikers or bikers, or what could lead to a lasting commitment to the groups.