Travel motivations and travel distance with temporal advance: A case study of Hong Kong pleasure travelers

Although previous studies have examined different factors that affect travel demand and destination choice, tourism research has not investigated changes in such factors over time. This paper presents the findings of a study that examines the robustness of motivations and travel distance over time based on the 10 most popular overseas destinations for pleasure travel and utilizing data collected in an annual survey of Hong Kong residents from 2001 to 2010. The empirical findings indicated that for in most destinations, motivations to travel to the destinations remained unchanged over time. Similarly, results found participants did not necessarily travel further as time progressed. In addition, the study found that independent travel is an increasingly popular mode of travel.

► The study examines the robustness of motivations and travel distance over time.
► Trends in travel demand for a destination, modes of travel, travel motivations and distance were identified.
► Findings showed that motivations to travel remained unchanged over time.
► Independent travel is an increasingly popular mode of travel.
► Push motivations are almost identical across destinations and their perceived importance remains almost constant over time.