In the pulse of the rural destination: Exploring tourism lifestyle entrepreneurs' emotional experiences through Lefebvre's rhythmanalysis

Tourism lifestyle entrepreneurship has become an important expression of lifestyle mobility. Yet existing research remains largely descriptive and pays limited attention to the nuanced emotional experiences of tourism lifestyle entrepreneurs (TLEs). Drawing on Lefebvre's rhythmanalysis, this study conducts a longitudinal case study of Longtan Village, China, using data from in-depth interviews and non-participant observation to examine the evolution and driving mechanisms of TLEs' everyday emotional experiences. Findings reveal a three-stage trajectory as the tourism area life cycle progresses. In the exploration stage, day–night alternation between linear and cyclical rhythms produces bodily oscillation and mixed emotional experiences, including bittersweetness, tension–tranquillity alternation, and anxiety–hope coexistence. In the involvement stage, the predominance of cyclical rhythms strengthens bodily subjectivity and generates positive emotional experiences, including contentment, relaxation, tranquillity, and fulfilment. In the development and consolidation stages, around-the-clock linear rhythms intensify bodily alienation and generate negative emotional experiences, including despondency, irritation, numbness, and disorientation. This trajectory is jointly shaped by changes in destination commercialisation and changes in the perceived alignment between lifestyle aspirations and lived realities. This study not only introduces a rhythmanalytical perspective into emotional geography but also advances the “emotional turn” in tourism lifestyle entrepreneurship research while extending the analytical scope of Lefebvre's rhythmanalysis.