Eudaimonic well-being outcomes from international study tourism experiences: The Lotus framework of well-being

Scholarship on the concept of tourist well-being has experienced significant growth. Despite this, studies have predominantly explored the hedonic aspects of well-being, leaving eudaimonic dimensions underexplored and conceptually underdeveloped. Consequently, this research seeks to explore the underlying dimensions of eudaimonic well-being which emerge from international study tourism experiences. Drawing on the outcomes of photo elicitation focus group discussions with 23 participants, this research revealed that international study tourism experiences fostered feelings of achievement, learning and self-reflection as well as connections with nature and enhanced social relationships. This paper contributes by developing the Lotus Framework of Well-being which incorporates personal, relational, and environmental dimensions to articulate the transformational triggers of eudaimonic well-being in the study tourism context. Future work should further explore how the advancement of the Lotus Framework can provide a stimulating environment for knowledge sharing and capacity building to improve sustainable tourism development.