Travel companions and activity preferences of nature-based tourists

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to reveal the similarities and variances in activity patterns among those traveling alone and with a different mix of travel companions in the context of nature-based tourism. Design/methodology/approach In this research, five different travel parties (alone, with small children, with older children, with friends and with partner) and 25 tourist activities are research variables. The study selects Norway as the destination country in relation to activity patterns. Its data, collected from a questionnaire survey of residents from the United Kingdom, Sweden and France, contain 6,935 responses. Findings The study finds that traveling with a partner is the preferred mix for traveling to Norway. A correspondence analysis on activity patterns reveals that traveling with friends and traveling with a partner show some similarities in activity patterns, where the other three groups prove notable differences in activity patterns compared to these two groups. Originality/value The study empirically tests the relationship between the mix of travel party and the choice of tourist activity in the context of nature-based tourism in Norway. It provides new market insights that can assist tourism businesses to further tailor products and services to traveling public involving different types of companions.

Photographs in tourism research: Prejudice, power, performance and participant-generated images

“…Subjectivity has been the less controversial of the two. Tourist photography is understood to be an essentially selective activity, not only spatially (Shoval et al, 2011) but also in terms of the activities undertaken (Tan et al, 2014;Lee et al, 2015), and the people included (Choo and Petrick, 2014;Chen et al, 2016). The resulting photography is therefore likewise selective and must be considered fundamentally subjective.…”

From Online Community to Offline Travel Companions: Technology-Mediated Trust Building and Ad Hoc Travel Group Decision Making

“…Travel companions critically affect the overall quality of the travel experience, because they influence the activity preferences of nature-based tourists (J. S. Chen et al, 2016) and plans to visit particular tourist destinations (Choo & Petrick, 2015).…”

“…The stability of a community depends very much on the right balance of trust and distrust obtained (Abdul-Rahman & Hailes, 2000). Much research into trust assumes an organizational or team perspective, however, studies of interpersonal trust between individuals are increasingly important, especially virtual communities play such a significant role in contemporary daily life (J. S. Chen et al, 2016).…”

What is the core essence of small city boutique hotels?

“…H2: Perception of the core characteristics of a SCBH has a positive effect on pleasant arousal A positive attitude toward the attributes of a place, organization or product enhances the consumer's preference for the item (goods, service or experience) (Chen et al, 2016;Grimm, 2005;Rahman et al, 2018). Adapted from Hellier et al (2003), preference may be regarded as the extent to which the guest favors the boutique hotel over other lodgings.…”