chapter 9 the travel industry
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CH. 9: THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY
What is tourism? • “the ac(vi(es of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecu(ve year for leisure, business, or other purposes”
• Types: • Domes(c • Interna(onal • Overnight • Same-‐day
Tourism Industry • “Comprised of a loose network of businesses that serves tourism travelers.” • Transporta(on • Travel Agencies • Tour Companies • Hospitality • Local Commercial Recrea(on
Operators
Motives and Attractions for Travel Push factors: Forces within us that mo0vate us to travel. Health pursuits Visit friends and rela(ves Novelty/change Escape Adventure Rest and relaxa(on Challenge Pres(ge/ego Spiritual/religious Cultural interest Business Search for roots/family heritage Pleasure Seeking Social interac(on Learn new skills Honeymoon Physical ac(vity Professional Development *81% of all trips are for pleasure. (Samadi, 2011)
Pull factors: Those a;rac0ons that draw a person once they have the urge to travel. Businesses market these. Natural scenic areas Sports par(cipa(on facili(es Historic areas Educa(onal events and mee(ngs Cultural events Wildlife Religious shrines Spor(ng events Gaming facili(es Entertainment events Theme parks Other recrea(on aWrac(ons Ques0on: Can businesses also promote “push factors”?
Barriers to Travel Expense Lack of Time Health Lack of Skills Lack of Interest Family Stage Security Lack of Informa(on Lack of Travel Companion
Allocentric and Psychocentric Traveler Theory • Theory about types of travelers • Developed by Dr. Stanley Plog (1974) • Travelers fit somewhere along a con(nuum from
psychocentrics to allocentrics based on their travel preferences and behavior
_____________________________________________________ Psychocentrics Mid-‐Centrics Allocentrics
Allocentric Travelers (Venturers) • Seek new experiences and adventure • Outgoing and self‑confident • Higher income • Have more educa(onal/cultural interests • Prefer to fly and to explore non-‐touristy areas • Enjoy mee(ng people from different cultures • Want freedom to explore an area, choosing a
variety of ac(vi(es For a tour package, many “allocentrics” would like to have the basics arranged (transporta(on and lodging), but not be commiWed to a structured agenda
Psychocentric Travelers (Dependables)
• More conserva(vely oriented • Prefer to return to familiar travel des(na(ons
where they can relax • Prefer to drive to des(na(ons • Stay in typical tourist accommoda(ons • Eat at family‑type & well-‐known restaurants • Lower income than allocentrics • Safety & security are important For a package tour, “psychocentrics” would prefer a structured agenda so that they know what to expect
Des0na0ons & Trip Types Appealing to Traveler Type
Allocentrics: • Backpacking or biking through Peru • Shark dives in Fiji; stay in na(ve village “bure” Mid-‐Centrics: • Ski trip to Copper Mountain Colorado • Sea World & Disney World trip Psychocentrics: • Fishing vaca(on at lakeside AAA-‐rated motel • Annual family vaca(on to grandparents’ house
ACtude vs. Reality
• College students and young professional couples with infants, may be allocentrics in spirit but not be able to afford an allocentric-‐type vaca(on
• Therefore, they have mid‑centric or psychocentric vaca(ons or save up for a less frequent allocentric‑type trip
Implica0ons for Tourism • Des(na(ons must market to correct type of traveler • Must provide different benefits to the different types
Ques0on • Can a tourism des(na(on find ways to appeal to both mid-‐
centrics and allocentrics or appeal to both mid-‐centrics and psychocentrics?
Issues in Travel Industry • Role of government • Rural tourism development • 96% of the U.S. popula(on lives on 4% of the land
• Tourism trade associa(ons • Terrorism, Crime, & Safety • 9/11 caused a 22% reduc(on of interna(onal arrivals to the U.S.
• Ecotourism