Travel Motivation: a Tale of two marine destinations in South Africa

Abstract

This study determines the travel motives of tourists to two marine destinations in South Africa: Jeffreys Bay and Hartenbos. Two surveys were conducted on 202 respondents in Hartenbos and 210 at the Jeffreys Bay. The statistical analysis entailed descriptive statistics and then more specific a factor analysis. The results revealed both common and different motivational factors when comparing the two marine destinations with one another as well as with other studies conducted. The following motivational factors overlap for the two destinations: escape and relaxation, destination attractiveness, and site attractiveness as well as personal attachment. For Jeffreys Bay, however, leisure activities and novelty were identified and for Hartenbos, socialization and trip features as additional motives for travelling. These results therefore confirm that different destinations have different motivesThis study determines the travel motives of tourists to two marine destinations in South Africa: Jeffreys Bay and Hartenbos. Two surveys were conducted on 202 respondents in Hartenbos and 210 at the Jeffreys Bay. The statistical analysis entailed descriptive statistics and then more specific a factor analysis. The results revealed both common and different motivational factors when comparing the two marine destinations with one another as well as with other studies conducted. The following motivational factors overlap for the two destinations: escape and relaxation, destination attractiveness, and site attractiveness as well as personal attachment. For Jeffreys Bay, however, leisure activities and novelty were identified and for Hartenbos, socialization and trip features as additional motives for travelling. These results therefore confirm that different destinations have different motives