How well tourists know their own attractions

The core of heritage tourism

“…In general, in order for something to be interpreted, and to be perceived as having meaning, an individual needs to be aware of it (Solomon, Bamossy and Askegaard 1999). With this in mind, it was necessary to clarify whether tourists were aware of the site and its characteristics (Bockstein, Bennett and Uken 1991).…”

Clarifying Heritage Tourism

“…The tourists' estimation of their level of knowledge about a site's history will be clarified in order to look for possible relationship with the tourists' visitation patterns (Bockstein, et al, 1991;Lawson, 1991). Swarbrooke (1996: A69) argues that "the reality of a product or experience is probably less important ... than the consumer's perception of it".…”

“…In order for something to be interpreted, and be perceived as having meaning for the individual, the tourist should be aware of it (Solomon, et al, 1999). This research uses a common approach in the tourism literature; to describe awareness as knowledge (Bockstein, et al, 1991;Goodrich, 1978;Lawson, et al, 1995) as well as to look at awareness as a…”

Understanding the domestic market using cluster analysis: A case study of the marketing efforts of Travel Alberta

“…9 For example, Boekstein et al carried out a study in South Africa to determine the level of awareness of domestic tourist attractions among the local population. 10 Other researchers focused on the visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market. 11,12 Seaton and Palmer suggest that this interest in VFR tourism grew because of the recognition that it is a category which is growing worldwide for a whole range of social and political reasons; in some destinations it is the principal source of tourists; and it may be more significant in financial terms than had formerly been thought.…”