1. Why And When People Travel
By Beth Pitts

2. Psychological Factors Affecting Travel Choices
Prestige
Escape
Education
Social Interaction
Family Bonding
Self-Discovery

3. 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.
Hollywood—Rodeo Drive

4. Escape The desire to leave the daily routine of one’s life
Beaches—Hilton Head, SC
Caribbean—St. Thomas

5. Education
Travel is viewed as broadening.
Historical sites are popular

6. Social Interaction
Travel provides opportunities to meet and interact with new and different people.

7. Family Bonding Grandparents’ homes
Heritage/roots—Family reunions, weddings, funerals
Family Bonding

8. Relaxation
A time to play and unwind
Attractions
Festivals

9. Self-Discovery “Finding oneself”
Beauty, nature and national parks—camping, hiking
Holistic vacations—Yoga retreats
Self-Discovery

10. Basic Travel Motivators
Physical or relaxation motivator
Cultural motivator
Interpersonal motivator
Status and prestige motivator

11. Physical or Relaxation Motivator
Physical rest
Sporting as a spectator or participant
Examples: running, lounging in the sun, vacationing alone

12. Cultural
Motivator
The desire for knowledge of other regions or countries
Religion, one of the first motivators of travel
Music
Art
Dances

13. Interpersonal Motivator
Meet new people
Make new friends
Visit friends or relatives
Escape from the daily routine

14. Status and Prestige Motivator
Desire for recognition, attention, appreciation and a good reputation
Major accomplishments, an award recipient, travel to currently popular destinations

15. Factors That Influence Destination Choices
Total cost of trip
Climate for comfort
Purchase opportunities
Word-of-Mouth
Entertainment
Recommendations
Other Amenities

16. Seasonal Nature of Tourism Peak period (high season)
Off-peak period (low season)
Shoulder season

17. Peak Period (High Season)
Time when the destination is most desirable either for climatic reasons or because of some special event
Prices are high.
Demand is high.
This is a popular travel time.

18. Period or season when traffic volume or occupancy is not heavy
Traffic is usually low for an identifiable reason.
Prices are reduced.
Demand is low.
Off-Peak Period (Low Season)

19. Shoulder Season
The period between peak and off-peak seasons. Shoulder seasons are attractive to people who do not need to travel during peak holiday months.

20. Factors Affecting Timing of the Peak/Off-Peak Period
Location and season of the destination and/or facility
Type of facility or business