- Title
- The demographic Dividend of VFT Travel: Evidence from Australia conference
- Creator
- Backer, Elisa; King, Brian
- Date
- 2014
- Type
- Text; Conference paper
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/71887
- Identifier
- vital:6839
- Abstract
- Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel is a large and important form of tourism in most developed countries. In Australia, VFR travel accounts for 48% of all tourism. Recent research has provided valuable insights into the length of stay, origins, mode of travel, and expenditures of VFR travellers. However, less attention has been devoted to their demographic attributes. To date, no research has compared the demographic attributes of all VFR travellers with those applicable to Non-VFRs. Based on a sample of 81,579 that covers the period 2010-2012, the present research demonstrates that the demographic profiles of VFRs and Non-VFRs in Australia are markedly different. It was found that a higher proportion of Non-VFRs were working full-time, living in capital cities and earning higher levels of household income. In contrast, a higher proportion of VFRs were working part-time, studying, or undertaking home duties. They were also significantly more likely to be pensioners or unemployed, part of a smaller household and earning a lower household income. They were more likely to be older and living alone. It is notable that socioeconomically disadvantaged groups have been acknowledged in the literature as being less engaged in tourism. However the present research provides evidence of their active participation in VFR travel. It is concluded that the provision of VFR travel opportunities may offer those who are not in a position to engage in other forms of tourism with prospective tourism related experiences.
- Relation
- Global Tourism & Hospitality Conference and Asia Tourism Forum
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- VFR travel; Visiting friends and relatives; Social tourism; Demography; Australia
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