Rethinking travel life cycle with travel career patterns

• Jialin Wu ^[1] ; Rob Law ^[1] ; Davis Ka Chio Fong ^[2] ; Jingyan Liu ^[3]
  1. [1] Hong Kong Polytechnic University

     Hong Kong Polytechnic University

     RAE de Hong Kong (China)

     
  2. [2] University of Macau

     University of Macau

     RAE de Macao (China)

     
  3. [3] Sun Yat-sen University

     Sun Yat-sen University

     China

     

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• Localización: Tourism recreation research, ISSN 0250-8281, Vol. 44, Nº. 2, 2019, págs. 272-277
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • On the basis of previous life cycle literature, this study aims to further deliberate over the concept oftravel life cycle (TLC) by integrating Pearce’s travel career pattern (TCP) theory. Links between TLCand TCP are investigated by determining the differences between the age and income groups.Results of four-year annual tourist surveys among 21,972 participants corroborate that TLCcannot be equated to family life cycle and be simply categorised by age, in which income levelplays an important role. Middle-aged tourists in the high-income range show the mostpurchasing power in tourism, whereas those with mid-level income are the most business-oriented. Coinciding with Pearce’s TCP work, core travel motives are common motivations overthe different stages of TLC. In addition, the middle layer motives are valued by tourists at anearly stage. Moreover, theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.