Summary

This book explores the complex decision-making processes involved in choosing and buying tourism products and services. It combines a theoretical overview of the basics of tourist behaviour and decision-making, with the results of an in-depth qualitative study of vacationers. It considers both the generic decision to go on vacation, or not, and more specific travel decisions, such as destination and accommodation type, from an individual and social point of view. It looks at how, when, and why such decisions are made, and the factors that influence the final outcome. The book concludes by rejecting existing tourist typologies in favour of a new typology of vacationers.