Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
If one views the tourist as a consumer, then tourism demand is formulated through a
consumer decision-making process, and therefore one can discern four elements which
initiate demand:
•
energisers of demand
factors that promote an individual to decide on a holiday
•
filterers of demand
which means that even though motivation may prevail, constraints
on demand may exist in economic, sociological or psychological terms
•
affecters
which are factors that may heighten or suppress the energisers that promote
consumer interest or choice in tourism
•
roles
where the family member involved in the purchase of holiday products and the
arbiter of group decision-making on choice of destination, product, and the where,
when and how of consumption.
These factors underpin the tourist's process of travel decision-making although it does
not explain why people choose to travel.
Plate 2.2:
Largs, west Scotland.
Promenading illustrates that the
Victorian and Edwardian Sunday
constitutional walk is still a key feature
in coastal resorts for day visitors and
tourists.
MASLOW'S HIERARCHY MODEL AND TOURIST
MOTIVATION
Within the social psychology of tourism there is a growing literature which has built upon
Maslow's work (discussed earlier in relation to recreation) to identify specific
motivations beyond the concept of needing 'to get away from it all' pioneered by
Grinstein (1955), while push factors motivating individuals to seek a holiday exist, and
pull factors (e.g. promotion by tourist resorts and tour operators) encourage as attractors.
Ryan's (1991:25-9) analysis of tourist travel motivators (excluding business travel)
