Lori Pennington-Gray

The Effect of Risk Perceptions on Intentions to Travel in the Aftermath of September 11, 2001

Abstract This study examined the relationship between perceived risk and travel intentions among residents in the New York City area. The timing of the survey (November 2001) provided opportunity to examine the effect of perceived risk on travel intentions during the period of aftershock following September 11, 2001. The study found that intentions to take a pleasure trip in the next 12 months (at the time of the survey) was related to safety concerns, perceived social risk, travel experience and income. Results from the study hold potential for better understanding risk perceptions and their impact on travel behavior and in the marketing of travel services during periods of uncertainty like that following September 11, 2001

Testing a Constraints Model within the Context of Nature-Based Tourism

This study focused on pleasure travelers’ perceived constraints to nature-based tourism. Eleven constraint statements were identified through a literature review and were chosen a priori to represent three types of constraint as outlined by Crawford, Jackson, and Godbey. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the three types of constraints (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural) existed in the context of nature-based tourism. A confirmatory factor analysis using the EQS program was used to “confirm” that the data fit the three-constraint model. MANOVA was then employed to identify whether respondents differed in their perception of constraints based on demographic variables. The findings indicated that differences existed with regards to age and family life cycle stage.

Cohort segmentation: an application to tourism.

Segmentation by demographic variables is by far the most widely used method of segmentation. Factors such as age, income, stage of life, and gender have all been used to segment markets. One factor that has been gaining attention over the past decade is groups of individuals born during the same time period who experience similar “epochal” events better known as cohorts. This paper reviews and assesses the literature on cohorts and uses a case study to demonstrate one “type” of cohort analysis within a tourism context. In addition, the strengths and weaknesses of cohort analysis are explained and future research recommended.

What Do University-Educated Women Want from Their Pleasure Travel Experiences?

This study focused on the benefits sought by university-educated women who travel for pleasure. Twenty-seven benefit statements were derived through a literature review and chosen a priori to represent nine separate benefit dimensions. A principal components analysis was used to reduce the data into benefit dimensions. Based on an outcome of nine benefit dimensions, not all of which met the a priori assumptions, cluster analysis was employed to identify similar “types” of respondents. The findings showed that there are three possible types of female travelers: rest and relaxation seekers, family/social seekers, and action seekers. When differences between the types of travelers were addressed, only employment status proved to be significant. Family/social seekers were more inclined than the other groups to be composed of working women.

Using Social Media in Times of Crisis

ABSTRACT The role of social media in crisis communications is an embryonic area of research in tourism, thus the purpose of this study was to examine drivers of social media use during crises. An online survey of 2,416 tourists from Australia, Brazil, China, India, and Korea was conducted. Hierarchical regression revealed that the drivers were risk perceptions associated with crime, disease, health-related, physical, equipment failure, weather, cultural barriers, and political crises when controlling for nationality, as well as use of a smartphone during past travel when controlling for nationality and risk perceptions. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

Insights from Role Theory: Understanding Golf Tourism

Abstract Role theory is one of the oldest perspectives used in the social sciences to describe and explain behavior. In this paper we draw upon role theory as it has typically been articulated in sociology. We examine the two traditional approaches to role theory, namely functionalist and symbolic interactionist perspectives, and we discuss the call for an integrated role theory (e.g., Biddle, 1986; Turner, 1979/80). We suggest that role theory and its applications in tourism studies might provide a framework to aid in the classification and explanation of different types of sport tourists. To illustrate this potential application, one form of active sport tourism, the golf tourist, is examined. Using data from a Canadian Tourism Commission study (Coopers & Lybrand, 1995) 492 respondents who indicated that golf was an important part of their travel were analyzed. Cluster analysis and discriminant analysis revealed four distinct types of golf tourist: the sport tourist; the discerning tourist; the resort tourist; and the reluctant tourist. We suggest these findings provide initial support for our proposition that role theory may provide some insights for sport tourism research, not only in classifying different types of sport tourist, but also in explaining preferences for certain sport tourist roles.

Profiling the silent generation: preferences for travel.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to profile the travel preferences of the “Silent Generation” and to analyze whether this cohort could be segmented into specific types of travelers based on these preferences. This particular age cohort was born between 1925 and 1943 and is presently between 58 and 76 years of age. The results indicated five distinct clusters: “Active Travelers,” “Urban Mobile Travelers,” “Mobile Budget Travelers,” “Educational Cultural Travelers” and “Uninvolved Travelers.” Each segment sought unique preferences for pleasure travel. With respect to demographic differences between the five clusters of the Silent Generation, only gender and education significantly differed between the groups. Tourism suppliers and marketers must acknowledge that there are differences within cohorts as well as between cohorts and develop products and services that meet their needs.

Understanding the domestic VFR drive market in Florida.

The visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market in Florida is a substantial portion of the tourism market. Research suggests that much of the VFR market travels by automobile. In the events following 11th September, 2001, Visit Florida identified drive tourism as the primary segment to invest in. This paper uses Moscardo et al.’s1 VFR model to understand better the short-haul domestic VFR drive market. Three segments were identified: travellers whose main purpose was to visit and stay with friends and relatives (AFR), travellers whose main purpose was to visit friends and relatives and stay in commercial accommodation (NAFR) and travellers whose main purpose was not visiting friends and relatives but who stayed with friends and relatives (OAFR). Results suggested that AFRs were the youngest segment and stayed the longest time. NAFRs were the oldest group of the three segments and participated in the smallest number of activities. OAFRs had varying levels of income, stayed almost one week on average, had slightly larger travel party sizes and participated in the greatest number of activities while in the area. Recommendations for marketing to the different VFR segments were suggested and limitations were addressed.

Do US tour operators' brochures educate the tourist on culturally responsible behaviours? A case study for Kenya:

This exploratory study examined the extent to which US tour operators promote culturally responsible behaviours to tourists who plan trips to Kenya. An examination of the travel brochures containing information on Kenya was performed to understand the role tour operators play in educating tourists. Brochures were examined for specific words, such as ethics, values, tolerance, respect, religion, moral beliefs, social and cultural traditions, responsible tourism, customs, rules and guidelines and education and training. Content analysis was used to analyse data. The results revealed that US tour operators do not effectively communicate culturally responsible behaviours to tourists. The implications of the results are discussed.

Expanding the tourism crisis management planning framework to include social media: lessons from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 2010

This article summarises a case study investigating the relationship between the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the response by VISIT FLORIDA ® . The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill started leaking oil into the Gulf of Mexico on 20 April 2010 and continued to leak until it was capped on 19 September 2010. These events caused major disruptions to the region’s main tourism season, particularly the state of Florida. A case study was undertaken to demonstrate A survey of 1,286 travellers to the state of Florida was conducted three times during the most active time of the spill, as well as a review of government and organisational reports and personal conversations with VISIT FLORIDA ® employees were used to guide the case study.