Leisure Experiences in Tourist Attractions: Exploring the Motivations of Local Residents

This study was conducted to explore leisure motivations with regard to tourist attractions. A survey of a convenience sample of residents of Melbourne, Australia, was conducted. The sample was then segmented based on the likelihood of visiting a cross-section of Melbourne's tourist attractions...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hospitality and tourism management 2006-04, Vol.13 (1), p.10-22
Main Authors: Hede, Anne-Marie, Hall, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Leisure
Leisure industry
Marketing
Methods
Recreation areas
Recreation research
Social aspects
Tourism
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Summary:This study was conducted to explore leisure motivations with regard to tourist attractions. A survey of a convenience sample of residents of Melbourne, Australia, was conducted. The sample was then segmented based on the likelihood of visiting a cross-section of Melbourne's tourist attractions in the next 6 months. Analysis using Unger and Kernan's (1983) Subjective Leisure Scale (SLS) was then undertaken to explore whether there were differences across the segments in terms of their leisure motivations. The results highlight that, within this context, intrinsic satisfaction, perceived freedom and arousal emerged as stronger underlying dimensions of motivations to visit tourist attractions, rather than mastery, spontaneity and involvement. This information provides insights for marketers of tourist attractions with regard to what residents are seeking when they visit local tourist attractions. The information can be used to develop more positive experiences at tourist attractions for this important sector of the market.
ISSN:1447-6770
1447-6770
DOI:10.1375/jhtm.13.1.10