Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Angela Durko, PhD, is a lecturer in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Her research interests include tourism marketing, with a focus on how cultural perceptions impact destination image and visit intentions.

Jim Petrick is a Full Professor, Research Fellow and the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies in the Department of RPTS at Texas A&M University. His research interest focuses on applying marketing and psychology principles in the context of tourism services. Pursuant to this interest, his research has been concentrated on understanding tourists’ purchase behaviors, to assist in properly marketing to them as well as the benefits travel has on the tourist.

Abstract (150 Words)

Although vacations have many positive outcomes, it should not be assumed that every vacation improves life satisfaction nor that all participants are satisfied equally with the vacation. This research seeks to explore several travel characteristics along with differing travel party types, and how each contributes to vacation satisfaction and satisfaction with life. Specifically, this study explores the vacation characteristics of travel frequency, trip length and the percent of time an individual spends doing what they desire to do on a vacation, to explore the effect each variable had on vacation and life satisfaction. The study shows that frequency of vacation, nor days spent on vacation impacted vacation or life satisfaction significantly. Instead, the results reveal the amount of time an individual pursued their own desired activities during vacation was most detrimental to vacation and life satisfaction.

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We’re One, But We’re Not The Same… The Impact Of Individual’s Travel Desires On Satisfaction

Although vacations have many positive outcomes, it should not be assumed that every vacation improves life satisfaction nor that all participants are satisfied equally with the vacation. This research seeks to explore several travel characteristics along with differing travel party types, and how each contributes to vacation satisfaction and satisfaction with life. Specifically, this study explores the vacation characteristics of travel frequency, trip length and the percent of time an individual spends doing what they desire to do on a vacation, to explore the effect each variable had on vacation and life satisfaction. The study shows that frequency of vacation, nor days spent on vacation impacted vacation or life satisfaction significantly. Instead, the results reveal the amount of time an individual pursued their own desired activities during vacation was most detrimental to vacation and life satisfaction.