|
|||||
|
|
Examining the efficacy of self-classification approach in segmenting special-interest tourists: food tourism case |
|
| Authors: | Tianyu Ying Jun Wen Rob Law William C Norman |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China;2. Management Communication (Tourism), Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand;3. School of Hotel &4. Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong;5. Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA |
| Abstract: | Self-classification is used as an a priori approach to tourist typology and market segmentation. However, skepticism still surrounds its ability to incorporate the multidimensionality of tourist behavior. This study seeks to empirically verify the efficacy of a single-item self-classification approach. The robustness of this self-classification measure is examined by comparing it to a data-driven multidimensional psychographic approach in terms of its ability to predict the behaviors of tourists toward food-related destination consumption. Results suggest that the single-item self-classification approach performs equally well as the psychographic approach in segmenting food-related consumption behaviors. The implications and limitations of this study are also discussed. |
| Keywords: | Self-classification market segmentation tourist typology psychographic segmentation food-related destination consumption food tourism |