Psychology of Travel PDF

THE PSYCHOLOG Y OF TRAVEL MODULE 2 MOTIVATION FOR TRAVEL There are several reasons why people travel. Some of these motivations are: the need for escape or change, travel for health, sports , social contact, status and prestige, education, personal values, cultural experience,...

THE PSYCHOLOG Y OF TRAVEL MODULE 2 MOTIVATION FOR TRAVEL There are several reasons why people travel. Some of these motivations are: the need for escape or change, travel for health, sports , social contact, status and prestige, education, personal values, cultural experience, shopping and bargain hunting, professional and business motives and search for natural beauty.  The basic travel motivators can be divided into four classes : 1. Physical Motivators – Include those related to physical rest , sports participation, beach recreation, relaxing entertainment and other motivations directly connected with health. 2. Cultural Motivators – Include the desire to know about other countries their music, art, folklore, dances, paintings and religion. 3. Interpersonal Motivators – Pertain to the desire to meet other people, visit friends or relatives, escape from routine, from family and neighbors. 4. Status and Prestige Motivators – Concern ego needs and personal development. Included in this group are trips related to business, conventions, study and pursuit of hobbies an education. Travel would enhance one’s recognition and good reputation TRAVEL AS A MEANS TO SATISFY A NEED AND WANT Tourists do not go on vacations just to relax and have fun , to experience another culture to educate themselves and their children. They take vacations in the belief that these vacations will satisfy , either completely or partially, various needs and wants. MASLOW’S THEORY OF MOTIVATION AND TRAVEL MOTIVATIONS 1. Physiological Needs – hunger, thirst , rest , activity 2. Safety Needs – safety and security , freedom form , fear and anxiety 3. Belonging and Love Needs – affection , giving and receiving love 4. Esteem Needs – self-esteem, self-respect and esteem from others 5. Cognitive Needs – to know, to understand and to explore and tackle the unknown 6. Aesthetic Needs – to find symmetry , order, beauty and structure in the world 7. Self- Actualization Needs – personal self fulfilment THE NEED FOR ESCAPE OR CHANGE This may refer to “escape” – from dull daily routine, escape from the familiar, the common place, the ordinary , escape from the job, the boss, the customers, the house and the accelerated pace of modern life. TRAVEL FOR HEALTH Development in the field of medicine have influenced travel for centuries, giving rise to the concept of “health tourism”. The search for health and long life has popularized the spas, seaside resorts as well as sun resorts The mineral water of different springs were believed to cure different ailments such as rheumatism, heart and circulation disorders, diabetes and problems of the kidneys and gall bladder “Reducing ranches” attract middle- aged women with weight problems. Tourist go to China or Hong Kong to undergo acupuncture or to the Philippines to consult faith-healers. SPORTS Interest in sports, either as a participant or a spectator is attracting Large segments of the population. People demand activity and excitement during their leisure hours to relieve them from the boredom of their work. They indulge in activities such as hiking, surfing ,scuba diving, mountaineering, skiing, etc. Millions attend a variety of games such a basketball, tennis, soccer in the United States, Europe and Latin America. The Olympic Games which is held every 4 years attract millions of tourists. SOCIAL CONTACT Human beings are social animals. They need contact and communication with others. They feel comfortable in a tour group. In the group , the traveler may develop friendships that may last for years. Some tour groups have reunions after the tour took place STATUS AND PRESTIGE Travel provides the means for ego or self- enhancement. Travel can also provide a means of mingling with the wealthy and social elite. TRAVEL FOR EDUCATION Travel offers an opportunity to satisfy the urge to learn. Once an interest has been developed in a destination area. The urge to see that area emerges, and the interest grows as knowledge increases. Advertising generates interest in a destination but much more persuasive is the interest created by a good book, movie or television program , with that places as a backdrop, he suddenly discovers a desperate desire to go there. PERSONAL VALUES Many people are urge to travel to satisfy personal values such as the search for spiritual experience , patriotism and wholesomeness. Pilgrimages to religious sites or holy places such as the Vatican, Lourdes, Jerusalem, Mecca are undertaken for spiritual reasons. Trips to Disneyland in Los Angeles and Tokyo and to Corregidor in the Philippines are made to satisfy personal values of wholesome environment and patriotism. CULTURAL EXPERIENCE Cross cultural exchanges, experiencing how other people live and fostering international understanding are some of the reasons to satisfy curiosity about other cultures, lifestyles and places. CLASSIFICATION OF TRAVELERS BASED ON PERSONALITY 1. Psychocentrics – are people centered on self, are inhibited and unadventuresome. They have strong desire for consistency and the familiar. When traveling, they prefer to visit “safe” destinations. They do not like to experiment with. Accommodations, food and entertainment. They look for experiences that will not result in personal stress or involve unusual situations. The low- energy psychocentric is contented to stay home. The high- energy psychocentrics will take a tour that is completely arranged. They usually indulge with low activity level activity such as golf using golf cart. They prefer to drive to a destination rather than fly. 2. Allocentrics – are highly curious and thrive on stimulation and change. They have a strong need for variety and new experiences. They like destinations that offer them an opportunity to experiences, They like destinations that offer them an opportunity to experience totally different cultures and environment. They tend to accept challenges, meet the residents , try out local foods and drinks. Stay in native lodgings. They want to explore and discover. They are adventurous. 3. Midcentrics – are between the psychocentries and allocentrics. They are not particularly adventurous, yet they are not afraid to try new experiences. CLASSIFICATION OF TRAVELERS BASED ON PURPOSE OF TRAVEL 1. Business travelers – regular business travelers, business travelers attending meetings, conventions and congresses and incentive travelers 2. Pleasure/ Personal Travelers – resort travelers, family pleasure travelers. The elerly and singles and couples TRAVEL CONSTRAINTS 1. Lack of money 2. Lack of time 3. Lack of safety and security 4. Physical disability 5. Family commitment 6. Lack of interest in travel 7. Fears of travel