The influence of distance and prices on the choice of tourist destinations: the moderating role of motivations.

Independent travel is an important and growing sector of worldwide tourism. This study examines the extent of travel planning by independent travelers, the extent to which travel plans are actioned, and the temporal sequence in which vacation elements are chosen. In-depth case studies were completed on 20 international travel parties who were first-time visitors to New Zealand. Travel parties were interviewed at both the beginning and the end of their vacations. Using an inductive-deductive process of research, a series of propositions was developed and tested using pattern-matching procedures. The study demonstrates that the motivations for independent travel are reflected in the decision processes adopted by independent travelers. Three characteristics are identified that distinguish the nature of independent travel: the traveler experiences an evolving itinerary, the traveler is willing to take risks in selecting vacation elements, and the traveler possesses a desire to experience the unplanned.

The Nature of Independent Travel

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the econometric approaches for the analysis of tourism expenditure at individual level. The attempt to consider only regression models is novel in literature. The paper resumes 86 papers and 354 estimates of econometric models from data at individual level, ranging from 1977 to the early 2012. Discussion focuses on models used, dependent variables, explanatory variables by category and their effect on expenditure. The most frequently used explanatory variables were income, socio-demographic and trip-related, and were tested mainly through classical regression techniques (OLS, quantile, Tobit and two-step, logistic). Future research directions should concern the exploration of new evidence through novel methodological techniques, a more extensive use of psychographic variables and a stronger relation to economic theory.

Determinants of tourist expenditure: a review of microeconometric models

STOCHASTIC MODELING: A Three-Stage Tourist Choice Process

This study uses canonical correlation analysis to examine the relationship between two sets of variables that can be used in evaluating a travel destination. The first set is composed of five variables that are referred to as previous travel experience and trip characteristics. These five variables include two measures of previous travel experience (number of countries visited, number of countries visited for pleasure) and three trip characteristics (length of stay, number of people in the travel party, and travel mode). The second set of variables consists of four criterion variables referred to as destination evaluation variables. These variables (satisfaction, service quality, value, and likelihood to return) are used to evaluate the travel destination. Results of the study indicated that a portion of the variance in destination evaluation can be attributed to previous travel experience and trip characteristics.

Destination Evaluation: The Role of Previous Travel Experience and Trip Characteristics

The development of package tourism has been a significant feature in the post-war expansion of tourism (Pearce, 1988). The packaging of travel service is unique and different from the packaging of consumer products in a general store. A package tour is identified as a trip planned and paid for in a single price far in advance, covering both commercial transportation and accommodation (often meals and sightseeing are also included) (Morrison, 1989). Packages are popular with customers because they make travel easier and more convenient. At the same time, package tours help the industry to increase business in off-peak periods and attract specific or new target markets (Morrison, 1989). The package tour, therefore, provides many benefits to both travellers and tourism service groups and has become one of the greatest influences in the travel and tourism industry. Abstract This paper presents a choice model of package tours by Australian outbound travellers. The choice model is built using sociodemographics, travel characteristics, and psychographic attributes to predict the probability of choosing package tours using logit analysis. In contrast to earlier studies on packaged vacations, psychographic variables were included into the model to understand the travel mode choice by Australian travellers. The findings indicate that package purchasers are likely to be older, tend to travel with larger party size for touring/city/resort/cruise trip type, and seek a "being & seeing" benefit.

J. T. O'Leary

Papers

Modelling the travel mode choice of Australian outbound travellers.