Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
complicated diverse 'modern' FLC models are more inclusive but even so are
still not perfect representations of the diverse modern society. The tradi-
tional FLC model is still popular in tourism despite its limitations, perhaps
because it is simple and represents a useful model for explaining a process.
Conclusion
The results of this research have shown that the traditional FLC model
leaves out a significant proportion of travellers. Across the four regions in
which this study was conducted, almost 20% of respondents did not fall
into any recognised category in the traditional FLC model. An expanded
FLC framework revealed gay couples either with or without children, older
couples without children, single parents, widowers who were still working,
and pensioners (who may be on pensions from a very early age - for example
disability pensions).
In 1991, Lawson found that 40% of travellers in New Zealand did not
fit into the traditional FLC model. The results from this research, conducted
two decades later, are surprisingly low by comparison.
The four destinations have high proportions of travellers in the VFR
market. As such, it is possible that the proportion of people not fitting
into the FLC would be even higher in other destinations with smaller VFR
markets. That is, destinations such as capital cities may attract a broader
and more diverse mixture of tourists. Thus, the proportion of respondents
who did not fit the traditional FLC model in the present study may be lower
than what could be found in other regions. In addition, this research was
conducted by surveying tourists in a VIC. The people who visit VICs may
be more likely to fit into the traditional FLC model and so, again, the study
may not have accurately captured the proportion of FLC tourists.
Certainly, further research along the lines of that conducted in this study
and by Lawson (1991) would be valuable in creating a better understanding
of what proportion of tourists are not captured by the traditional FLC
model. As that model continues to be taught in tourism, it is important to
understand its limitations in terms of the implications in tourism. Operators
with 'family' prices are typically talking to the traditional family of two
adults and two children, but today's family can also be a gay couple with
children or a single parent with four children. By teaching the traditional
FLC model uncritically, it is possible that the future tourism marketers and
managers will not accurately capture the market correctly, through a lack of
understanding of the number of people left out.
This research highlights the importance of understanding the complexi-
ties of today's and tomorrow's 'family' and has theoretical and practical
implications. People do not necessarily follow the FLC stages, or may revisit
some of the stages several times during their lives. It is important to under-
stand these points, or increasingly tourism operators may not be sending
