Information sources for travel decisions - towards a source process model
Journal
Journal of Travel Research
ISSN
0047-2875
ISSN-Digital
1552-6763
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2004-05-01
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
This paper contributes to the study of information sourcing behavior in the travel decision process. It focuses on the differences between information sourcing before and after a definite trip decision (characterized either by an irreversible choice with regard to destination or by a legal contract such as a reservation or purchase of one or multiple elements of a trip). The study identifies typical patterns of information search behavior for different travel types, grouped by means of clusters along two stages of the information sourcing process, thus forming paths of information sourcing. The data is representative for the case of Switzerland, serving as a model for a well developed travel market. Descriptors such as type of trip, degree of packaging, choice of destination, and choice of accommodation showed significant explanatory power, while socio-demographic variables proved to be of less value. The results give industry the possibility of improving information distribution systems throughout the travel decision process. Key words: Information sourcing, consumer behavior, market segmentation, ser-vice chain, buying process.
Language
German
Keywords
information sourcing
consumer behaviour
market segmentation
service chain
buying process
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Sage
Publisher place
Thousand Oaks, CA.
Volume
42
Number
4
Start page
357
End page
371
Pages
15
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
13891