Benckendorff, Pierre, and Moscardo, Gianna (2013) Generational cohorts and ecotourism. In: Ballantyne, Roy, and Packer, Jan, (eds.) International Handbook on Ecotourism. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK, pp. 135-154.

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Abstract

[Extract] The future of ecotourism will depend to some extent on how well the tourism industry understands the social and demographic trends influencing traveller behaviour. The ecotourism market can be understood by dividing participants using multiple criteria and characteristics, including gender, age, cultural background, attitudes, motives and activity preferences. Some authors have argued that generational cohort theory provides another framework for investigating consumer behaviour (Stevens, Lathrop & Bradish, 2005). Generational cohort theory posits that each generation is characterized by somewhat predictable traits directly attributable to events in their formative years. Insights gained through generational theory have the potential to inform our understanding of attitudes, intentions and visitor behaviour trends in ecotourism. A generational cohort approach can be useful for not only analysing trends in ecotourism consumption but also production (Pendergast, 2010). From a production perspective, the contemporary tourism industry is experiencing a generational shift, with Baby Boomers likely to retire from leadership roles in the workforce, Generation X taking over the reins and Generation Y entering the workforce.

Item ID:	31377
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	987-0-85793-996-8
Keywords:	development studies, tourism, environment, ecological economics, environmental sociology, geography
Date Deposited:	21 May 2014 05:16
FoR Codes:	15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1506 Tourism > 150606 Tourist Behaviour and Visitor Experience @ 100%
SEO Codes:	90 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 9003 Tourism > 900302 Socio-Cultural Issues in Tourism @ 100%
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