Abstract
This book examines the tourist, in all its varied forms, and consists of 16 chapters presented in four parts. Chapter 1 examines the definition of a tourist, the misconceptions about tourists, types of tourists and distinction between tourists, travellers and visitors. Chapter 2 elucidates tourist behaviour as exhibited by different nations, explains the behaviour and discusses if tourists share common patterns and behaviour regardless of nationality. Chapter 3 examines how the individual tourist takes holidays and the decisions evolving in his life. Chapter 4 examines a life that is somehow influenced, if not moulded, by tourist experience. Chapter 5 examines models of tourist behaviour. Chapter 6 considers a range of external influences that can affect tourist behaviour. Chapter 7 examines what motivates the tourist today. Chapter 8 discusses the tourist's information search, decision making and the role of image in destination choice. Chapter 9 concentrates on the in-use experience - a part of the whole experience but the part that might be considered as its core. Chapter 10 discusses tourist satisfaction. Chapter 11 examines the influence of brands on holiday decisions, and whether or not celebrities can sway tourism choices. Chapter 12 discusses a much more intimate reference group in tourist decision making - the family. Chapter 13 examines the arousal of fear and the responses in tourist behaviour that it provokes. Chapter 14 examines the phenomenon of experience gift-giving behaviour. Chapter 15 examines the interface between sustainable development or sustainability and tourist behaviour. Chapter 16 probes some of the possible futures for tourist behaviour.