Algorithmic visibility and Gen Z “special forces tourism”: evidence from accelerated digital travel in China

Purpose This study investigates how motivations, symbolic practices and identity interact in digitally mediated youth travel, and how Gen Z travelers' sense of algorithmic visibility shapes these relationships. Design/methodology/approach Survey data from Chinese Gen Z travelers were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Motivations include efficiency, social currency, and existential meaning. The study tests how perceived visibility gatekeeping (i.e. perceived algorithmic influence on visibility and legitimacy) moderates motivation–practice and practice–identity links, with subgroup comparisons across gender and trip frequency. Findings Motivations are positively associated with symbolic practices, and symbolic practices are positively associated with identity processes. Symbolic practices account for a meaningful share of the motivations–identity association. Under higher perceived visibility gatekeeping, the two focal links show larger estimated coefficients. Subgroup differences shift effect sizes but not the overall pattern. Research limitations/implications Because recruitment relied primarily on university- and city-based channels, the sample is skewed toward urban students and early-career Gen Z travelers; therefore, generalization to rural or less platform-engaged youth should be made with caution. Practical implications The findings help tourism operators and destination managers manage visibility-driven travel more effectively. Originality/value This study frames algorithmic belonging as perceived visibility gatekeeping (a perception of algorithmic influence on visibility and legitimacy). It functions as a boundary condition under which the motivation–practice and practice–identity links are stronger in Gen Z “special forces tourism”.