Tour Guiding / HRM 18

Aug. 5, 2014
The Psychology of Travel
Why people travel?
1. Escape
2. Relaxation
3. Relief of tension
4. Sunlust
5. Physical
6. Health
7. Family togetherness
8. Interpersonal relationship
9. Roots or ethnic
10. Maintain social contacts
11. Convince oneself of ones achievements
12. Show ones importance to others
13. Status and prestige
14. Self-discovery
15. Cultural
16. Education
17. Professional/business
18. Wanderlust
19. Interest in foreign areas
20. Scenery
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 motivators 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 concern ego needs and personal development. Included in this group are
trips related to business, conventions, study and pursuit of hobbies and education. Travel would
enhance ones recognition and good reputation.
Needs, Wants and Motives
Needs - what is required; necessity.
Wants - To desire (someone to do something); to wish for.
Motives enables a person to do something. It occurs when a person wants to satisfy a need.
Abraham Maslow, a famous psychologist. Maslow proposed the following hierarchy of needs as
determinants of behavior:
1. Physiological needs hunger, thirst, rest activity
2. Safety needs safety and security, freedom from fear and anxiety.
3. Belonging and love needs affection, giving and receiving love.
4. Esteem needs self-esteem, self-respect.
5. Cognitive needs to know, to understand, and to explore and tackle the unknown.
6. Aesthetic needs to find beauty and structure in the world.
7. Self-actualization needs personal fulfillment.
Classification of travelers based on personality
1. Psychocentrics people centered on self, are inhibited and adventuresome. They have strong
desire for consistency and familiar. When travelling, they prefer to visit safe destinations. They
dont like to experiment with accommodations, food and entertainment. They look for
experiences that will not result in personal stress or involve unusual situations. It indulges in low
activity level.
2. Allocentrics people having interest and attention on other person, highly curious and thrive
on stimulation and change. They have a strong need for variety and new experiences. Tend to
accept challenges, try out local food, explore, discover and go on their own.
Classification of travelers based on purpose of travel
1. Regular business travelers
2. Business travelers attending meetings, conventions and congresses
3. Incentive travelers
Family pleasure travelers
1. The junior families
2. Mid-range families
3. Mature families
Travel constraints
1. Lack of money
2. Lack of time
3. Lack of safety and security
4. Physical disability
5. Family commitments
6. Lack of interest in travel
7. Fears of travel