Leisure-tourism connection behaviors by life stage and gender

Abstract

Purpose Individuals’ daily leisure activities undertaken close to home often appear in tourism contexts when individuals are away from home. Previous studies have suggested that such leisure-tourism connection behaviors are enhanced by leisure involvement and leisure habits. However, few studies have examined if such a connection may have variations by life stage and gender. Therefore, this study aims to examine the roles of life stage and gender in consistency between leisure and tourism, in consideration of involvement and habit. The study samples were university graduates (n = 681) who had graduated from a university in the United States and were currently working and university students (n = 706) who were enrolled and taking classes at a university in the United States. Design/methodology/approach Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, t-test, two-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Findings The findings revealed differences in the effects of leisure involvement and habit factors on the leisure-tourism connection behaviors by life stage and gender. More details are presented in this paper. Originality/value This study is the first study to examine the leisure-tourism connection behaviors in consideration of life stage and gender.