The Role of Demographics and Previous Experience in Tourists’ Experiential Perceptions

Abstract

Tourism experiences are personal events characterized by their subjective nature. Because of this, each consumer has his or her way of perceiving the experience depending on their individual characteristics. The literature suggests that demographic and prior experience variables are factors that may influence tourists’ perceptions. While some studies have examined the influence of these factors on marketing variables, more information is still needed to help predict tourists’ behavior and to understand how they interpret experiences. This study explored whether experiential quality, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions differ according to individuals’ demographic characteristics and previous experience. An online survey collected data from 367 tourists participating in tourism experiences. A t-test for independent samples and a Kruskal–Wallis test were used for the analysis. The results showed that the main differences were between gender groups (males and females).

Visitor Profile: Shaping Experiential Quality, and Post-Consumption Behaviours in Kenyan Theme Parks

“…Although the data of this study showed a non-normal distribution, a t-test for independent samples was used to determine whether the evaluations of experiential quality and post-consumption behaviours including perceived value, overall satisfaction, and behavioural intentions differed according to gender, first-time or repeat visitors and type of theme park visited. The t-test for independent samples is a popular parametric test for comparing two groups (Pasaco-González et al, 2023). Even if the study's data revealed a non-normal distribution, the parametric test nevertheless yield reliable results even when the normality assumptions are broken.…”

“…Experiential quality is important for judging tourists' subjective emotions. Additionally, it is a significant predictor of satisfaction and behavioural intentions (Pasaco-González et al, 2023). It is critical to look into consumer experiences in the tourism sector from both a theoretical and practical aspect because tourist services are hedonic and provide consumer experiences (Wu et al, 2018b).…”

“…Variables like travel companions, prior experience, duration of stay, kind of attraction, activities during visits, and information sources are frequently used in tourism research to determine travel characteristics (Cheng et al, 2016;Markovic et al, 2018;Ozdemir et al, 2012;Zeinali & Jafarpour, 2015). Individuals' travel characteristics and demographics tend to influence experiential quality, satisfaction, and behavioural intentions (Pasaco-González et al, 2023).…”

“…Tourism experiences are personal events that are subjective in nature. Individuals perceive the experience differently based on their unique features (Pasaco-González et al, 2023). Depending on their unique qualities, each customer interprets the experience differently.…”

How perceived crowding changes the interrelationships between perceived value, tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty: the empirical study at Hoi An

“…Similarly, gender also exerts significant influences on travellers’ behaviour. The studies of Oh et al (2002) and Pasaco-González et al (2023) show that female and male tourists form different levels of expectations and perceptions; hence, they may demonstrate different levels of satisfaction and loyalty. Last but not least, travel formats, including independent travel and group travel, were also confirmed to influence tourists’ satisfaction and loyalty.…”