Towards understanding youth travel experiences in cultural heritage destinations: an integrated framework of youth cultural tourists' behaviour

Youth cultural tourists are not monolithic; their travel experiences at heritage sites like Delphi are shaped by diverse motivations, leading to distinct behavioral patterns. This study identifies two primary types of youth cultural tourists: general and specific, distinguished by factors such as individual background, ethnic origin, family/social context, education, and marketing influences. Through semi-structured interviews, the research reveals that while youth constitute a significant segment of visitors, their engagement with cultural heritage is nuanced and varies significantly. The findings underscore the need for targeted approaches in understanding and catering to youth travel behavior, offering valuable insights for both academic research and practical applications in tourism management.

Boukas, N. (2013). Towards understanding youth travel experiences in cultural heritage destinations: an integrated framework of youth cultural tourists’ behaviour. International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 3(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijta.2013.054402