An Assessment of the Relationship between Leisure and Holiday Behaviour- A Case Study of Young People

Abstract

This paper compares how young people behave while they are on vacation (i.e., holiday behaviour) and in their place of origin (i.e., leisure behaviour). The data on which this paper is based was collected using a series of in-depth interviews and recall diaries. Comparing behaviour in the holiday and home environments provides an analysis of the relationship between tourism and leisure, which is currently a matter of debate (Moore et al., 1995; Ryan, 1994; Colton, 1987). Consequently, this research may help to determine the compatibility of leisure and tourism theories.The results of the study suggest that while they are on vacation the people interviewed tended to behave in a more liberal and hedonistic manner than when in their place of origin. However, this holiday behaviour seems to be an extension of their leisure behaviour, rather than separate from it. This may support the hypothesis that tourists behaviour is influenced by a combination of socio-cultural norms and values, and personal motivations that are present in both the home and holiday environments.