Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, cilt.32, sa.3, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
Purpose – The excessive use of the internet and social media tools can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. The inability to satisfy basic psychological needs may trigger the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). In contrast to FoMO, when individuals purposefully detach from technology, it is referred to as the Joy of Missing Out (JoMO). The aim of the research is to investigate tourist experience through the concepts of FoMO and JoMO within the framework of Self Determination Theory and to explore which concept resonates more strongly with tourists during their travel experiences. Methodology/Design/Approach – Semi-structured interviews were employed as the data collection method to gain in-depth insights into travelers’ experiences and emotions. The study’s data collection process involved a comprehensive application of thematic analysis to interpret participant responses. Findings – This research reveals that social media posts are perceived as indicators of social status. From the perspective of self-determination theory, when social relationship needs are not met, individuals’ life satisfaction is negatively impacted. Originality of the research – This research highlights the influence of social media content on vacation choices and underscores the importance of social relationships in avoiding the negative effects of excessive social media use.