A TYPOLOGY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ATTRACTION VISITORS

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Abstract (150 Words)

The purpose of this study was to expand the typology of cultural heritage tourists. Cultural heritage tourists are either compared with other types of tourists, or are segmented based on cultural experience and activities. However, these tourists are not compared within the existing tourists typology framework including other tourists who visit cultural sites and events. . This study is based on a survey conducted with a randomly selected 1,938 tourists visiting 17 cultural heritage sites and three events in Arizona, USA. This study segmented the cultural heritage tourists into two groups and five sub groups based on their most influential reasons for taking the trip. This study suggested that tourists visiting cultural heritage attractions can be divided into two groups, “true cultural tourist” and “spurious cultural tourist.” Further, true cultural tourists can be sub grouped into two types, “cultural site”, and “cultural event” tourists. Similarly, spurious cultural tourists can be further divided into three sub-groups, “nature”, “sport”, and “business” tourists. Comparisons among these groups in terms of demographics, importance of attractions, and motivations suggested that two types of cultural heritage tourists are different from each other.

 

A TYPOLOGY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ATTRACTION VISITORS

The purpose of this study was to expand the typology of cultural heritage tourists. Cultural heritage tourists are either compared with other types of tourists, or are segmented based on cultural experience and activities. However, these tourists are not compared within the existing tourists typology framework including other tourists who visit cultural sites and events. . This study is based on a survey conducted with a randomly selected 1,938 tourists visiting 17 cultural heritage sites and three events in Arizona, USA. This study segmented the cultural heritage tourists into two groups and five sub groups based on their most influential reasons for taking the trip. This study suggested that tourists visiting cultural heritage attractions can be divided into two groups, “true cultural tourist” and “spurious cultural tourist.” Further, true cultural tourists can be sub grouped into two types, “cultural site”, and “cultural event” tourists. Similarly, spurious cultural tourists can be further divided into three sub-groups, “nature”, “sport”, and “business” tourists. Comparisons among these groups in terms of demographics, importance of attractions, and motivations suggested that two types of cultural heritage tourists are different from each other.