Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of organized mass tourists when traveling?
Which type of tourist is more likely to use tour guides and adhere to group activities?
Which tourist type values consistency and structure throughout their travel experience?
According to Cohen's typology, which tourist type is more likely to seek novelty and exploration?
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Which tourist type is most likely to value communication in their native language and familiar food options?
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Which type of tourist is characterized by their desire for novelty over familiarity?
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Which type of tourist strikes a balance between familiarity and novelty, desiring both authentic cultural interactions and some level of comfort?
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Which type of tourist prioritizes familiarity over novelty and prefers to travel alone but still seek out traditional tourist attractions and activities?
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Which type of tourist is described as booking holidays independently rather than joining group tours, and opting for accommodation that provides comfort and familiarity without being too restrictive?
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Which type of tourist may include backpackers or individuals who prefer to travel independently, exploring destinations at their own pace?
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Which type of tourist engages in independent travel but is also open to immersive experiences that allow them to connect with local communities or traditions?
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Study Notes
Cohen's Typology of Tourists
Erik Cohen, a pioneering sociologist of tourism, classified tourists according to the degree of familiarity and novelty they sought: The Drifter, the Explorer, the Individual Mass Tourist, and the Organized Mass Tourist. Each type represents a different approach to traveling and experiencing new places. Let's delve into each category.
The Drifter
Drifters are characterized by their desire for novelty over familiarity. They often seek out unexpected experiences and are less concerned with traditional tourist attractions or activities. This group may include backpackers or individuals who prefer to travel independently, exploring destinations at their own pace.
The Explorer
Explorers strike a balance between familiarity and novelty, desiring both authentic cultural interactions and some level of comfort. These tourists typically engage in independent travel but are also open to immersive experiences that allow them to connect with local communities or traditions. They aim to experience destinations in a manner that goes beyond typical tourist activities and accommodations.
The Individual Mass Tourist
Individual mass tourists prioritize familiarity over novelty. They prefer to travel alone but still seek out traditional tourist attractions and activities. These individuals often book holidays independently rather than joining group tours, and they opt for accommodation that provides comfort and familiarity without being too restrictive. They value communication in their native language and familiar food options.
The Organized Mass Tourist
Organized mass tourists focus more on familiarity than novelty and typically join organized group tours. Their primary goal is to maintain a level of predictability while traveling, sticking closely to established itineraries or plans. They are more likely to use tour guides and adhere to group activities, preferring comfort over exploration. The organized mass tourist values consistency and structure throughout their travel experience.
Cohen's typology provides a foundation for understanding tourist behaviors and preferences. By categorizing tourists according to their desire for familiarity versus novelty, these classifications can inform marketing strategies, destination segmentation, and overall tourism development efforts.
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Description
Explore Cohen's classification of tourists into The Drifter, The Explorer, The Individual Mass Tourist, and The Organized Mass Tourist based on their preference for familiarity versus novelty in travel. Learn how each type approaches experiencing new destinations.
