The acculturation of international residential tourists and their shopping behaviours

This study deals with an unexplored question regarding the role of the acculturation of international residential tourists (IRT), and provides companies in tourist destinations with keys to develop strategies aimed at this type of tourists. Results show that the acculturation of IRT follows a Pareto/Bradford distribution: few show high levels of acculturation and many show low levels. Finally, we find significant differences in shopping behaviour and socio-demographic variables.

► IRT acculturation distribution follows a Pareto/Bradford.
► No differences in acculturation between men and women.
► Younger IRT show higher levels of acculturation than older ones.
► Nationality has an influence on the levels of acculturation.
► Low levels of acculturation show that retailing in tourist destinations must adapt to IRT.