Although consumer behaviour is one of the most researched areas in the field of tourism, few extensive reviews of the body of knowledge in this area exist. This review article examines what we argue are the key concepts, external influences and opportune research contexts in contemporary tourism consumer behaviour research. Using a narrative review, we examine the consumer behaviour literature published in three major tourism journals from 2000 to 2012. Of 519 articles identified and reviewed, 191 are included in this article. We examine the development of and scope for future research on nine key concepts, including decision making, values, motivations, self-concept and personality, expectations, attitudes, perceptions satisfaction, trust and loyalty. We then examine three important external influences on tourism behaviour, technology, Generation Y and the rise in concern over ethical consumption. Lastly, we identify and discuss five research contexts that represent major areas for future scholarship: group and joint decision making, under-researched segments, cross-cultural issues in emerging markets, emotions and consumer misbehaviour. Our examination of key research gaps is concluded by arguing that the hedonic and affective aspects of consumer behaviour research in tourism must be brought to bear on the wider consumer behaviour and marketing literature.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13683500.2013.850064

Consumer behaviour in tourism: Concepts, influences and opportunities

Contemporary medical tourism: Conceptualisation, culture and commodification

https://scholarship.rollins.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1238&context=as_facpub

The medical tourism index: scale development and validation.

Purpose




The purpose of this paper is to explore both the cognitive and affective images and examine the effects of destination image through both aspects on satisfaction levels and tourist loyalty.




Design/methodology/approach




Data collection was conducted using the convenience sampling method. The on-site survey was carried out with Chinese tourists at the popular tourist sites in Seoul City.




Findings




The results showed that the cognitive image had a direct influence on the affective image and confirmed the formation process of the destination image. Both cognitive and affective images had positive influences on satisfaction, and in turn, satisfaction predicted tourist loyalty. Moreover, the relationship between destination image and loyalty revealed that the affective image had a direct influence on tourist loyalty. Although the cognitive image showed no direct linkage to tourist loyalty, the authors found that it had an indirect influence on tourist loyalty through affective image and satisfaction.




Originality/value




The findings of this study provide a better understanding of the process that determines Chinese tourists’ destination choices and loyalty. Moreover, it provides insightful implications for the Korean Government, the Korea Tourism Organization and tourism operators.

Ji Yun Yu

Papers

A cross-cultural study of perceptions of medical tourism among Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourists in Korea