UNDERSTANDING DESTINATIONS

5.04 Describe the psychological and motivational aspects of

destination selection.

Psychological factors affecting travel choices

•Prestige

•Escape

•Education

•Social interaction

•Family bonding

•Relaxation

•Self-discovery

Prestige: Respect and admiration resulting from high quality. Travel to choice destinations can provide a traveler with a level of fame, if only in the mind of the traveler.

•Monte Carlo—Riviera

•Hollywood—Rodeo Drive

Escape: The desire to leave the daily routine of one’s life

•Beaches—Hilton Head, SC

•Caribbean—St. Thomas

Education

•Travel is viewed as broadening.

•Historical—Washington, DC, and Williamsburg, VA

•Grand Canyon

Social interaction

•Travel provides opportunities to meet and interact with new and different people.

•Vail, Colorado—ski trip

•Princess Cruise Lines—Inclusive resorts

Family bonding

•Grandparents’ homes

•Heritage/roots—Family reunions, weddings, funerals

Relaxation

•A time to play and unwind

•Attractions

•Festivals

Self-discovery

•“Finding oneself”

•Beauty, nature and national parks—camping, hiking

•Holistic vacations—Yoga retreats

Basic travel motivators

•Physical or relaxation motivator

•Cultural motivator

•Interpersonal motivator

•Status and prestige motivator

Physical or relaxation motivator

•Physical rest

•Sporting as a spectator or participant

•Examples: running, lounging in the sun, vacationing alone

Cultural motivator

•The desire for knowledge of other regions or countries

•Religion, one of the first motivators of travel

•Music

•Art

•Dances

Interpersonal motivator

•Meet new people

•Make new friends

•Visit friends or relatives

•Escape from the daily routine

Status and prestige motivator

•Desire for recognition, attention, appreciation and a good reputation

•Major accomplishments, an award recipient, travel to currently popular destinations

Factors that influence destination choices

•Total cost of trip

•Purchase opportunities

•Climate for comfort

•Entertainment and other amenities

•Word-of-mouth recommendations