Information Search Behavior and Tourist Characteristics

An investigation of multiple devices and information sources used in the hotel booking process

“…In terms of information sources used in the hotel booking context, the importance of search engines, friends and family, supplier sites, OTAs, and review sites are comparable to results from other researchers (Fesenmaier et al, 2011;Google & Ipsos MediaCT, 2012;Gursoy & Umbreit, 2004;Jacobsen & Munar, 2012;Jun et al, 2010;Luo, Feng, & Cai, 2004;McCarthy, Stock, & Verma, 2010). It is noteworthy that friends and family remain a major influence and this traditional information source is still a key part of the booking decision.…”

Explaining travellers online information satisfaction: A complexity theory approach on information needs, barriers, sources and personal characteristics

“…Previous tourism information search studies have endorsed this relation to explain travellers' information channel preferences (i.e. selection of offline versus online information spaces) [20,78]. Our research validates this viewpoint in the online information environment and extends it to also consider how this matching of information needs with specific types of online information sources may also warrant high information satisfaction.…”

Does gender affect media choice in travel information search? On the use of mobile Internet

“…Our literature review found only two studies. First, Luo, Feng, and Cai (2004) investigated tourist information provision and acquisition in terms of the Internet and other media sources. They found that gender and household income are the primary determinants of information source preference, and that age, education, and occupation are not.…”