Psychology of Tourist Behavior - Essay Example

Tourism Concept Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date This paper is about various factors that lead to travel motivation as well as typology of tourists. The paper achieves this objective by considering Maslow’s Hiercharchy of needs. The paper explains the different levels of the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The paper explains tourism in relation to needs; tourists gaze, travel as a career, Push and pull factors, complex motivation. The paper also explains various types of tourist’s typologies such as Cohen typology, Plog’s Typology, Krippendorf’s typology as well as independent and package tourists. Tourism in relation to needs When one is hungry and lonely at the same time, which need will he satisfy first, the biological or the social need? The answer to such a question is found in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that states that one can satisfy his biological needs before focusing his attention on attaining social as well as personal requirements. According to Maslow, satisfaction of personal needs starts at the bottom of the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, with physiological requirements and then work towards the apex. Upon accomplishing needs one need, one moves to the next level. For instance, when one’s physiological needs at are accomplished he moves to level two and works towards accomplishing his safety needs. Upon accomplishing safety needs, the person will move to the third level and so forth while moving up the needs of hierarchy (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2010, p.333). According to Minnaert & Inkson (2012, p.71), this theory states that tourists travel from one place to another so that they can get what is not available in their adjacent environments. There are a number of tourist motivation models that are based on Maslow’s (1954) Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow singled out five human needs, and then organized them into a hierarchy. According to him, physiological needs are the fundamental needs that should be available for any human being to survive and work (Schermerhorn, 2009, p.34). Examples of physiological needs include food and drink, sexual activity and food. If these physiological needs are not met, then human being will begin fully focus on fulfilling them, and any other needs will not be important to the person (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). According to Wylie (2009, p.9), at the second level of Maslow Hierarchy of needs is safety needs. Examples of safety needs include stability, security, freedom from chaos and fear as well as the need for law and order. According to Maslow, self-protection is a very important basic need and it will dominate any other needs just in case the need is threatened. During severe situations, for instance, wars, essentially everything will be less relevant compared to being secure. In non-severe situation, security can imply job security or the need for a savings account or the need for insurance (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). At the third level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are the social needs, they are also referred to as belonging and love needs this imply giving as well as receiving affection. This may involve a family member, partner, or friends. In case, these needs are not fulfilled the individual feels rejected, lonely and ostracized. The individual’s behaviour can involve focusing on forging relations through joining networks, clubs or having a group holiday (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). At the fourth level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is esteem needs; these are the need one feels to have high evaluation as well as become stable. The high evaluation can be arrived at through self-respect or through respecting other people. This can be achieved through our competencies as well as achievements or through having glory, fame, appreciation as well as prestige (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). Self-actualization according to Maslow’s model is at the highest level of needs. When one faces hurdles in reaching at his potential he will be frustrated, for instance, when one is doing business, and his talent lies in music, his need for self-actualization may not be fulfilled. This need involves ones need to feel to develop himself as well as engage in a sector that he or she is talented. In this case, artists develop a need to take part in art; athletes will be free with sports. This need varies from one person to another; principally self-actualization refers to what makes someone feel they are accomplishing their potential as well as develop their capabilities fully (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). It is pretty clear that few individuals can arrive at this level in their lives since it is difficult and challenging. There are few individuals who have arrived at this level they include, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr, Abraham Lincoln as well as Eleanor Roosevelt. According to Reisinger (2009, p.272) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs integrates both social and biological needs into a single structure and proposes priorities according to the order in which the social and biological needs are satisfied. On the other hand, the approach is hard to verify if one particular need is accurate to understand how evaluate his needs, particularly self-actualization that very few people can arrive at. The second concern is that some individuals’ value love compared to self-esteem or vice versa. Despite these criticisms, the model is a reminder of complexity of human requirements (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2010, p.333). Tourist gaze According to Burns, Palmer & Lester (2010, p.141), tourist gaze as proposed by Urry compares the visual gaze of tourists with the ‘medical gaze’ undertaken in clinical settings. The main goal of gaze is the power to make judgment when one sees. Medical gaze relates to discourse of medicine and treatment. On the other hand, tourist gaze implies the way a tourist takes the tourist experience that has been socially created by the tourist. Concisely, tourist gaze is what is in the tourist mindset. This is about what the tourist see, familiar with as well as what they are conscious of. Travel as a career Tourists can change their travel motivations after some time. These motivations can be influential when one makes a decision to travel, selecting a destination or taking part in particular activities. Tourist motivations can change after some time when their experience in tourism grows. When tourists accumulate travel experiences, they may be able to have various travel motivations; from this viewpoint, tourism can be perceived as a ‘career’. Someone’s state of travel career, for instance, at work can be affected by various elements; lifestyle, travel budgets, past experiences, age or family commitments (Cooper et al., 2008). Self-development in tourism can help in determining whether one has reached the highest level in his travel career. Tourists who have travelled widely perceive tourism as a medium of self-development and education, through having experiences in wide-ranging cultures as well as meeting locals. Conversely, this does not imply that tourists who have not travelled widely take tourism as something meaningless. For instance, a tourist can learn how to scuba-dive and get a sense of fulfilment, as a result. Therefore, it can be argued that as tourists get more travel experiences, the motivation to know more about the destination becomes stronger. Evidently, travel career is not hierarchical since tourist who have more experience as a result of travelling may be after self-actualization during one holiday; however, the tourist can decide to take a package deal in an all-inclusive resort so that he just relax during holiday. Push and pull factors Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can be instrumental in demonstrating the motivation of one’s initial need and wants, and fulfilment of the needs may result in purchase of holiday. Push factors are the ones that prompt ones need to move from one place to another and on the other hand, pull factors are the ones which influence the selected destination, given that the initial push comes from ones desire to move from one place to another. Motivation to fulfil needs, as well as personal preferences pushes a tourist into considering alternative products; the last choice is dependent on the pull of alternative destination (Page & Connell, 2009, p.68). The push and pull factors that influence tourism consumer decision process. The process has four stages: i) Energizers of demand: these are different forces, for instance motivation that prompt a tourist to visit go a holiday outset or visit a tourist attraction (Page & Connell, 2009, p.68). ii) Effector of demand: information regarding a tourist destination or site can be received through methods such as media and brochures. The tourist develops his own ideas as well as perceptions regarding the tourist destination. The perception developed by the tourist can either reduce or augment the chance of him visiting the site (Page & Connell, 2009, p.68). iii) Roles and decision-making: the final choice of a tourist destination will be influenced by the roles of the tourist. For instance, various members of a family have a different impact on when and where the family will spend their holiday as well as what the family will undertake when they are on a holiday trip (Page & Connell, 2009, p.68). iv) Filterers of demand: various demographic as well as socioeconomic opportunities as well as constraints influences ones decision to travel from one place to another. Even though there may be a strong push towards a particular destination, the demand is sieved through constraining factors (Page & Connell, 2009, p.68). According to Ryan (2012, p. 45) push factors predispose one to travel; for instance, need to escape the daily routine, need to have quality time with friends or family. There are two fundamental push factors for tourism: the need to escape from anomie. In addition, on the other hand, search for status as well as feeling of superiority. Pull factors can be considered as the factors, which attract tourists to particular destinations so that they can fulfil, the pull factors. Pull factors can be a music festival, opportunities for scuba diving, sunny climate and famous art gallery. Tourists do not go to specific locations just for cultural insights or artefacts; but for socio-psychological reasons that are not related with any destination. Sometimes the destination is just a medium in which the tourist motives are fulfilled. In other words, a tourist can decide to travel, as they would like to relax with the friends, family of privately. The activity location is of secondary importance. The destination can be Kenya, Malta, Malaysia or United Kingdom - provided that his needs are fulfilled. There are seven different types of socio-psychological motives for travel: i) Avoiding a mundane environment: this motive implies escaping from routine and boring work or an urbanized surrounding. ii) Self-exploration and evaluation: one can discover himself when he is in a new environment. Taking part in different activities can also result in one discovering his self. iii) Relaxation: this objective implies to mental relaxation. A tourist can take part in intense sporting activities when he is on holiday, but still he will feel they have come home relaxed. To others, physical relaxation and not doing anything is also essential. iv) Prestige: In this case, the impetus is attainment of status among peers by visiting tourist destinations. When generating regions that have a high propensity to travel, the prestige impetus has declined since taking part in tourism is no longer restricted to the elites; but the accommodation type, destination or class of travel can be a source of prestige (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.80). v) Regression: During holiday tourists, feel free from obligations this prompts them to be act in irrational and juvenile manner, for instance, heavy drinking, even though when they are at home they do not do this. vi) Enhancement of kinship ties: this motive refers to having “quality time” with family members. This includes family holidays (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.80). vii) Facilitation of social interaction: holidays can be instrumental in encouraging one to interact with others. The interactions can be brief or lead to long-term friendship. Group holidays can enhance social contacts person (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.80). Complex motivation Tourist motivations are very complex and are personal constructs. Elements that prompt someone to take part in tourism vary after sometime as well as by trip-, some tourists will take many trips per year and the impetus of the trips can be very different. For instance, a tourist can go on a two-week trip to a Kenyan beach resort so that he can relax and spend time with his friends and then go with his wife for a fishing trip in Scottish Lakes. When tourists are travelling in groups, each person’s motivations ought to be considered, which may lead to various compromises. Cohen typology The typology distinguishes the four types of tourists. The model is based on the relationship of the tourists with the ‘strangeness’ or ‘novelty’ of the visited culture. The most fundamental element in tourism is that the person spends time away from his usual environment, where particular needs can be met. How known or unknown the places can differ widely. The four types of tourist are the organized mass tourist, this type of tourists travel in groups. Their trips are pre-arranged and are planned by an intermediary. They travel on special tourist transport along with a tour leader. They prefer staying in places that are almost alike with their routine environment (Jennings & Nickerson, 2012, p.69). The second type is the individual mass tourist. This group is almost alike with the organized tourist; however, they prefer flexibility so that they can venture in the outside during trips. These can include visiting a site independently using local transport or sampling local meals. The third type is the explorer. This type of tourist does not organize the trips or holiday with other people; instead, it is done independently. The tourist requires reliable transport means as well as comfortable accommodation. This type of tourist engages with the locals and even attempt to communicate in their language. They search for newness but still have routines as well as levels of comfort. Lastly is the drifter, unlike the other types he immerses himself completely with the host culture. This includes living the way the host lives in all aspects. This type of tourists considers novelty and does not consider familiarity (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.86). Plog’s Typology The model links visitors types to the destinations they have high chances of visiting. The model states that tourism changes destination and various types of tourists are attracted pulled to a particular destination over time. This typology comprises of two types: psychocentrics and allocentrics. The allocentrics look for a unique travel experience, and they discover the destinations. On the other hand, the psychocentrics like destinations that have familiar amenities, for instance, good transport network, modern hotels and developed attractions (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.86). They visit destinations that have tourist facilities. Another type is the mid-centrics that is at the centre of the two extremes. The mid-centrics are after destinations that are neither wholly unfamiliar nor wholly familiar (Murphy, 2013, p.6). Krippendorf’s typology This typifies tourists according to destinations visited. The much-aligned tourist comprises of negative stereotypes, which exist regarding tourists. Tourists are ridiculous with big cameras. The tourists are naïve and are fond of asking dumb questions. Tourists are uncultured, spend most of the time at the beach and have no interest in the local food or culture (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.87). This type of tourists is polluting, exploiting and are fond of following other tourists. On the other hand, there is alternative tourist. This type of tourist show respect for other people, as well as culture, and they do not conform to a negative stereotype. However, they are not free of negative impacts either; these type of tourists have limited negative implications on the destination, however when they discover new destinations these that pave way for tourist and invasion of ‘maligned tourists’ (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.87). Independent and package tourists Tourists can be classified into two main categories a) Package tourists; these are tourists interested in a certain type of tourism which meets international standards (Brebbia & Pineda, 2010, p.331). Usually, they have high growth rates and bring about restructuring of the economy of the place visited and results in issues related to social as well as environmental sustainability (Figini & Candela, 2012, p.121). b) Independent tourists; these type of tourist easily adapt to the social structure as well as a local environment. These types of tourists are associated with little economic growth rates and stimulates establishment of structures in the local ownership (Figini & Candela, 2012, p.121). References Brebbia, C & Pineda, F 2010, Sustainable tourism IV, Southampton, WIT Press. Burns, P, Palmer, C & Lester, J 2010, Tourism and visual culture: Theories and concepts, Oxfordshire, CABI. Cooper C., Fletcher J., Fyall A., Gilbert D. & Wanhill S 2008, Tourism Principles and Practice, 4th Edition. London: Longman Figini, P & Candela, G 2012, The economic of tourism destinations. New York: Springer. Inkson, C & Minnaert, L 2012, Tourism management: An introduction, Sage Publications: London. Jennings, G & Nickerson, N 2012, Quality tourism experiences, New York, Routledge. Murphy, P 2013, Tourism: A community approach, New York, Routledge. Page, S & Connell, J 2009, Tourism: A modern synthesis, 3rd Edition, Andover, Cengage Learning EMEA. Plotnik, R & Kouyoumdjian, H 2010, Introduction to psychology, Belmont, Cengage Learning. Schermerhorn, J 2009, Exploring management, New York, John Wiley & Sons. Wylie, K 2009, Managers get the staff they deserve, Norderstedt, GRIN Verlag. Reisinger, Y 2009, International tourism: Culture and behaviour, Oxford, Elsevier. Ryan, C 2012, Battlefield tourism, New York, Routledge. Read More

In non-severe situation, security can imply job security or the need for a savings account or the need for insurance (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). At the third level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are the social needs, they are also referred to as belonging and love needs this imply giving as well as receiving affection. This may involve a family member, partner, or friends. In case, these needs are not fulfilled the individual feels rejected, lonely and ostracized. The individual’s behaviour can involve focusing on forging relations through joining networks, clubs or having a group holiday (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). At the fourth level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is esteem needs; these are the need one feels to have high evaluation as well as become stable.

The high evaluation can be arrived at through self-respect or through respecting other people. This can be achieved through our competencies as well as achievements or through having glory, fame, appreciation as well as prestige (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). Self-actualization according to Maslow’s model is at the highest level of needs. When one faces hurdles in reaching at his potential he will be frustrated, for instance, when one is doing business, and his talent lies in music, his need for self-actualization may not be fulfilled.

This need involves ones need to feel to develop himself as well as engage in a sector that he or she is talented. In this case, artists develop a need to take part in art; athletes will be free with sports. This need varies from one person to another; principally self-actualization refers to what makes someone feel they are accomplishing their potential as well as develop their capabilities fully (Minnaert & Inkson, 2012, p.72). It is pretty clear that few individuals can arrive at this level in their lives since it is difficult and challenging.

There are few individuals who have arrived at this level they include, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr, Abraham Lincoln as well as Eleanor Roosevelt. According to Reisinger (2009, p.272) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs integrates both social and biological needs into a single structure and proposes priorities according to the order in which the social and biological needs are satisfied. On the other hand, the approach is hard to verify if one particular need is accurate to understand how evaluate his needs, particularly self-actualization that very few people can arrive at.

The second concern is that some individuals’ value love compared to self-esteem or vice versa. Despite these criticisms, the model is a reminder of complexity of human requirements (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2010, p.333). Tourist gaze According to Burns, Palmer & Lester (2010, p.141), tourist gaze as proposed by Urry compares the visual gaze of tourists with the ‘medical gaze’ undertaken in clinical settings. The main goal of gaze is the power to make judgment when one sees. Medical gaze relates to discourse of medicine and treatment.

On the other hand, tourist gaze implies the way a tourist takes the tourist experience that has been socially created by the tourist. Concisely, tourist gaze is what is in the tourist mindset. This is about what the tourist see, familiar with as well as what they are conscious of. Travel as a career Tourists can change their travel motivations after some time. These motivations can be influential when one makes a decision to travel, selecting a destination or taking part in particular activities.

Tourist motivations can change after some time when their experience in tourism grows. When tourists accumulate travel experiences, they may be able to have various travel motivations; from this viewpoint, tourism can be perceived as a ‘career’. Someone’s state of travel career, for instance, at work can be affected by various elements; lifestyle, travel budgets, past experiences, age or family commitments (Cooper et al., 2008). Self-development in tourism can help in determining whether one has reached the highest level in his travel career.

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