USE OF A TRAVEL MAGAZINE AS A TOURISM INFORMATION SOURCE
Abstract (150 Words)
One of the major factors influencing consumer decisions to purchase a product or service is information sources about the product or service. Information search or information seeking is the process of consulting various sources before making a purchasing decision. While the effect of tourism promotion efforts on travel decisions is fairly well researched, the influence of more informal information sources such as magazines has not been investigated to any great extent. The purpose of this research was to help determine the effects of a travel magazine on travel decisions and behavior, and extend tourism information search research especially with respect to magazines as information sources. A mail survey of Arizona Highways Magazine subscribers was used to further investigate the nature of travel magazines as information sources. It is clear from this study that a travel magazine such as Arizona Highways is an important and influential source of information for travelers whether they are in their own area or visiting from farther away. The magazine not only had influence on interest in traveling in Arizona in general, but also on decisions related to specific destination and activity selection.
USE OF A TRAVEL MAGAZINE AS A TOURISM INFORMATION SOURCE
One of the major factors influencing consumer decisions to purchase a product or service is information sources about the product or service. Information search or information seeking is the process of consulting various sources before making a purchasing decision. While the effect of tourism promotion efforts on travel decisions is fairly well researched, the influence of more informal information sources such as magazines has not been investigated to any great extent. The purpose of this research was to help determine the effects of a travel magazine on travel decisions and behavior, and extend tourism information search research especially with respect to magazines as information sources. A mail survey of Arizona Highways Magazine subscribers was used to further investigate the nature of travel magazines as information sources. It is clear from this study that a travel magazine such as Arizona Highways is an important and influential source of information for travelers whether they are in their own area or visiting from farther away. The magazine not only had influence on interest in traveling in Arizona in general, but also on decisions related to specific destination and activity selection.
