Measuring Family Reunion Travel Motivations

The study developed a Family Reunion Travel Motivation Scale (FRTMS) measuring family reunion travelers’ motivations. Through a rigorous scale development process, the final model of the scale exhibits excellent levels of psychometric properties. Details of each step are described in this paper. The 15-items scale contains four dimensions labeled as: (a) family history and togetherness, (b) immediate family cohesion, (c) family communication, and (d) family adaptability. Furthermore, canonical correlation analysis was conducted to empirically test the associations between travel motivation and family leisure activity choice. The finding suggested that family reunion tourists’ selection of activities correlated with their travel motivations. Both practical and theoretical implications were discussed.

► We investigate family reunion tourists.
► The particular focus is to develop a motivational scale.
► We uncover a 15-items scale containing four dimensions.
► Group motivation suppresses individual motivation.
► The association between travel motivation and leisure activities is examined.