The choice of the tourist destination tends to be influenced by the general variables such as the characteristics of the individual and destination, and factor of environment, and so forth. Most of the destination choice by the tourists depends upon t...
The choice of the tourist destination tends to be influenced by the general variables such as the characteristics of the individual and destination, and factor of environment, and so forth. Most of the destination choice by the tourists depends upon the results of individual cognitive evaluation towards not only the physical but also the social environment. Therefore, The study on tourist behavior of the destination choice will be usually focused on the constituent factors as well as the characteristics which can have an influence on the formation of individual preference.
It can be generally accepted that the tourists should be called the psychological identity who is affected by the psychological factors such as individual motivation and needs on the basis that they will seek the psychological satisfaction through tours.
In consequence, The purpose of this study was undertaken to find out: under the assumption that the choice behavior of destination by tourists is more significant and value-driven than that of any other item(goods), (ⅰ) to evaluate destination property preferred by tourists' value and their lifestyles, (ⅱ) to study how the factors can affect the destination choice. It can be extremely meaningful to understand the correlation which can be interacted with destination choice made by individual values, lifestyles, and tour motivation.
Therefore, in terms of tourist behavior, this study has focused on how individual values, lifestyle, and tour motivation can affect the destination choice. In addition, the perception of between pre- and post-tour on the tour motivation, and the behavioral intention have been analyzed.
To make understanding of the relationship of tourist value, lifestyle, tour motivation, destination choice, and post-behavioral intention, this study has been conducted through both literature study and empirical study as well. In order to conduct literature study, a variety of pre-study theses and relevant data have been made used of.
Through literature study, the followings have been investigated: individual values and values system; the function and measurement of the values; values and tourist behavior; the conception of lifestyle and its constituent factors; the function and measurement of lifestyle; lifestyle and tourist behavior; the conception and structure of tour consistency; the dimension of destination attributes; destination attributes and attraction; the standard of destination choice; choice behavior of destination; choice type of destination. So the correlation of values, lifestyle, tour consistency on destination choice has been studied.
The questionnaire period of time was between August 10th, 2005 and September 10, 2005. The total number of questionnaire was 500 distributed, but 460 retrieved. Excluding 19 responded unsincerely, 441 questionnaires were analysed.
The statistical process of collected data, after procedure of data coding, has been analysed with use of SPSS 10.0 for Window and SAS 8.12. The methods for analysis were: frequence analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, validity analysis, difference analysis, ANOVA, and regression analysis.
The verification results of experimental hypotheses are as follows: First, among the factors which have influence upon the destination choice caused by tourist' lifestyle, it is shown that show-off/success-oriented type and followed by leisure-oriented type are significantly affected. Second, among the motivational factors which have impact on the attributes of destination choice, it is turned out that the sense of belonging to certain organization, self-development, entertainment/interest, and psychological tranquil are significantly affected. Third, among the factors of individual values which affect the behavioral intention of pre- and post-tour, it is shown that the factors of activity-oriented type and followed by those of individual-oriented type are significantly influenced. Fourth, among the factors of tour motivation which affect the behavioral intention of pre- and post-tour, it is found that self-development, and followed by curiosity/knowledge are significant. Fifth, as a result of the difference verification of the perception on tour motivation of pre- and post tour, it is known that the average means of tour motivation for new experience is highest. As often the case with the perception of tour motivation for new experience as well.
It is reasonably judged that, differently from the various detailed variables shown in this study, it is possible to develop the strategy for consumer-oriented marketing. Furthermore, there are different value types which tourist take for priority. According to these types, consumer groups classified, certain tour destination cane be satisfied with the attributes which the groups seek. The marketer of certain tour destination enhances its competitive edge combined with tourist values, lifestyle, and tour motivation type include other market subdivisions.
According to the value types, if the types for tourists making choice of tour destination can be found, their needs will be filled with the development of brand-new tour items/packages. As shown in this study, on the condition that the types of tourists' lifestyle can affect the destination choice, it suggests that fresh clues for the development of differentiated tour items which can promote the choice in terms of different tourists' values can be produced.
So far, it has been little highlighted with positioning strategy related to tourists' values. However, due to the different types of tourists' values which result in choosing tour destination, this study can contribute to the development of the positioning strategy which fits for certain tourist sightseeing and groups if applied. Those who engage in tourist industry should find the universal value-types, develop the consistent promotion strategy, and set up the differentiated psychological position which draw the target consumers.
This study has the following limitations and the assignments to be solved in the future: through the preceding research, the factors of relative properties were extracted while the ones of other properties may have been left off. Additional studies will be needed because this study was conducted toward the factors at a point of time. Moreover, since collecting data depend on the memories of the returning tourists from the experiential tour procedures, it is the very limitation that only cross-sectional research model is selected.