psychology of travel: motivation of travel

Chapter 3

PSYCHOLOGY OF TRAVEL

A. MOTIVATION OF TRAVEL

A. Motivation of Travel

1. Escape2. Relaxation3. Relief of Tension4. Sun lust5. Physical


6. Health7. Family togetherness8. Interpersonal relations9. Roots or ethnic10.Maintain Social contacts


11.Convince oneself of ones achievements

12.Show one’s importance to others

13.Status and prestige14.Self discovery15.Cultural


16.Education17.Professional/business18.Wanderlust19.Interest in forest areas20.Interest in scenery

4 basic travel motivators:


1.Physical Motivatorsinclude those related to physical

rest, sports participation, beach recreation, relaxing entertainment, and other motivations connected with health.


2.Cultural Motivatorsinclude the desire to know about

other countries


3.Interpersonal MotivatorsPertain to the desire to meet

other people, visit friends or relatives, escape from routine, from family and neighbors.


4.Status and Prestige MotivatorsEgo needs and personal

development. Included in this group are trips related to business, and conventions, study, and pursuit of hobbies education. Travel will enhance one’s recognition and group reputation.

B.TRAVEL AS MEANS TO SATISFY A NEED AND WANT.

Key in understanding Tourist Motivation is to view vacation travel as a vehicle to satisfy ones need and wants.

C. RELATIONSHIP OF NEEDS, WANTS, AND MOTIVES

C. Relationship of Needs, Wants, and Motives

TOURIST MOTIVATIONS

Tourist motivationsA. The need to escape or changeB. Travel for HealthC. SportsD. Social ContactE. Status and PrestigeF. Travel for EducationG. Personal ValuesH. Cultural ExperienceI. Shopping and Bargain HuntingJ. Professional and Business motives K. Search for natural beauty

A. The need to escape or change

• The greatest reason for travel can be summed up in one word ---- escape

B. Travel for Health

• Development in the field of medicine have influenced travel for centuries, giving rise to the concept of health tourism.

C. Sports

• Interest in sports either as participant or spectator is attracting large segments of the population

D. Social Contact

• Much travel grows out of the social nature of people.• Human beings are social animals; • They need contact and communication with others.

E. Status and Prestige

• Travel provides the means of ego or self-enhancement.• Travel to a poor country can provide the traveler with a feeling of superiority.• Travel can also provide a means of mingling with wealthy and social elite.

G. Personal Values

• The notion of personal values is an important travel motivator.• Many people are urged to travel to satisfy personal values and as the search for; spiritual experience, patriotism and wholesomeness.

H. Cultural Experience

• Cross-cultural exchanges, experiencing how other people live and fostering international understanding are some of the reasons to satisfy curiosity about other culture, lifestyles and places.

F. Travel for Education

• The search for knowledge and truth is inherent in every individual.• Travel offers an opportunity to satisfy urge to learn.

I. Shopping and Bargain Hunting

• To many people the joys developed from buying certain goods may be the major reason for travel.

J. Professional and Business motives

• Great number of people travel for professional and business motives.

k. Search for natural beauty

• Travel to satisfy ones search for beauty.

LEARNING PROCESS OF A TOURIST

Learning Process of a Tourist• Individual will buy a vacation package if he has learned that the purchase will satisfy an important need.

• Tourist compares various alternatives with list of criteria to determine which alternative will most likely satisfy a particular motive.

• The resulting inclination will have an effect on the decision to buy.

• The inclination may be positive or negative, depending how well a chosen alternative meet the motivator.

• The number of alternatives may vary according to the characteristics of the traveler.

EFFECT OF CONSISTENCY AND COMPLEXITY ON LEISURE TRAVEL

Effect of Consistency and complexity on leisure travel• Too much repetition or consistency results in boredom and a corresponding amount of psychological tension grater than they can handle.

-To reduce this tension he will attempt to introduce some complexity in his life.

• Similarly, too much complexity may result more tension than a person can endure.

-To reduce the complexity he will introduce a consistency in that experience.

CLASSIFICATION OF TRAVELERS BASED ON PERSONALITY

Classification of travelers based on personality• Phychocentrics – people centered on self, are inhibited and unadventuresome. When traveling, they prefer to visit “safe” destinations. They do not want to experiment on the accommodation, food and entertainment.

• Allocentrics – people having interest on other person, are highly curious and thrive on stimulation and change. They have a strong need for variety and new experience.

• Midcentrics – people who resides in the middle. They prefer going to a safe place but still wont hesitate to experience new things.

CLASSIFICATION OF TRAVELERS BASED ON THE PURPOSE OF TRAVEL

Classification of travelers based on the purpose of travel

Business Travelers:

o Regular Business Travelerso Business Travelers attending meetings, conventions, and congresses.o Incentive Travelers

Classification of travelers based on the purpose of travel

Pleasure/Personal Travelers:

oResort TravelersoFamily pleasure travelersoThe elderly; andoSingles and couples

TRAVEL CONSTRAINTS

Travel Constraints

•Lack of money•Lack of time•Lack of safety and security•Physical disability•Family commitments•Lack of interest in travel; and•Fears of travel

Thank you for listening!• Ref: Principles of Tourism Part I' 2006 Ed.