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experiential product and it relies on graphic and
verbal representations and description, therefore,
optimal information provision is regarded as cru-
cial for success (Cai et al., 2003).
Previous research identified sport and tourism
as the most chosen leisure activities (Ritchie &
Adair, 2004) which regarded by many as the world's
biggest social phenomenon (Kurtzman & Zauhar,
2003). With regards to sport tourism as world's
biggest social phenomenon, this study intended
to investigate differences on perceptions of online
information and intention to use the websites from
gender and income perspectives. Previous studies
however, revealed that the relationship between
gender and the technology adoption is inconclu-
sive. Nonetheless, gender is often considered a
critical factor because male and female sports tour-
ists tend to consider technology use for achieving
different ends (Chang & Melbourne, 2008). For
instance, in adoption studies pertaining to mobile
technologies, it was found that women often have
less access to cell phones in developing countries
than their male counterparts (Zainudeen, Iqbal &
Samarajiva, 2010). Kwon and Chon (2009) fur-
thermore found that gender is a significant deter-
minant in mobile TV adoption. Other studies have
shown some dissimilarity between the genders vis-
à-vis online platform preferences and motives. In
terms of income, previous findings indicated that
earlier adopters to technologies tend to have more
years of formal education and higher social status
(income) than later adopters (Rogers, 2003).
Findings of the study offered supplementary
knowledge on the theoretical perspectives of lei-
sure and tourists behavior towards perceptions of
online information in terms of gender and income
differences. Besides, the obtained information
could assist future marketing and communication
managers in providing effective and efficient online
information in order to cater numerous needs and
wants of potential tourists or consumers.
1979; Bloch, Sherrell & Ridgway, 1986; Moorthy,
Ratchford & Talukdar, 1997). Previous researchers
stated that, for tourists, information acquisition is
necessary for choosing a destination and for onsite
decision such as selecting accommodations, trans-
portation, activities and tours (Fodness & Murray,
1998; Gursoy & Chen, 2000; Snepenger, Meged,
Snelling & Worrall, 1990).
Normally, consumers acquire a satisfactory
amount of information about services before they are
able and willing to use them (Moorman, Diehl, Brin-
berg & Kidwell, 2004). Typically, consumers want to
learn about specific characteristics of online infor-
mation services such as possibilities of new services,
service characteristics and pricing issues (Kleijnen,
de Ryter & Wetzels, 2007). Other researcher stated
that intention to use the website is defined as the
consumer's intent to engage in an online exchange
relationship with the website (Zwass, 1998). Earlier
research findings indicated that in many aspects,
tourist information processing is different from that
of other consumers. The differences are mainly due
to structural reasons (Schertler, Schmid, Tjoa &
Werthner, 1995). Tourists generally obtain online
information from the respective tourism websites
and they tend to rely on that form of communica-
tion channel due to some specific features or char-
acteristics of the websites which include accessibility,
flexibility, interactivity and reliability (Mircheska &
Hristovska, 2010; Radzliyana et al., 2012). Online
information accessibility occurred when it provides
permanent exposure and global market reach. For
instance, accessibility is extremely important espe-
cially dealing with international trade where business
is conducted across different time zones. In addition,
accessibility happened when online information not
only provides virtually unlimited access for numer-
ous consumers but also delivers unlimited amount of
information as there is practically no restrictions in
terms of the “space of advertisement” (Mircheska &
Hristovska, 2010).
In terms of tourist's behavior, they have to leave
their daily environment, having to move to geo-
graphically distant places to consume the tourism
product. In fact, Werthner and Klein (1999) added
that the tourism product normally cannot be tested
and controlled in advance. Although it is commonly
believed that in modern times the difference between
the travel patterns of men and women are much less
pronounced than before, gender differences related
to travel and tourism still remain substantive (Col-
lins & Tisdell, 2002). In terms of information proc-
esses, Krugman (1966) reported that women engaged
in greater elaboration of advertisements than did
men, regardless of whether the advertisements
focused on contents considered of more interest to
men or to women. Meanwhile, other researchers
found greater stimulus elaboration among women
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
The revolutionary development of online informa-
tion has dramatically changed society and people's
everyday lives, including the way travelers or tour-
ists search for information and plan trips. Previous
researches indicate that the Internet which provides
online information has become one of the most
important information sources for travel informa-
tion acquisition (Lake, 2001). Many studies have
indicated that the major purpose of information
search is to support decision-making (i.e. reduce
risk and uncertainty) and product choice in which
the information search behavior strengthens the
decision-making and choice behavior (Bettman,
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