A Comparison of the behaviour and motivations of domestic and international young tourists

Abstract

This paper compares the motivations of young, British, international and domestic tourists, and how they behave during their vacations. The research was located in Torquay, on the Southwest coast of England, and Cala Millor, on the Northeast of Mallorca. These locations represent two of the most popular destinations for young British tourists on domestic and international vacations, respectively. Comparisons between resorts of tourist behaviour seem to be a neglected area of research. The paper focuses on three aspects of tourist behaviour; use of leisure spaces and leisure times, the nature of the leisure activities engaged in while on vacation, and movements outside of the resorts. The findings of this research suggest that young British tourists on domestic vacations behave in a different manner compared to those holidaying at the international level. Indeed, compared to domestic tourists, young people on an international vacation tended to behave in a more passive and hedonistic manner.