Description:
Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) is a major form of travel in most countries around the world. As destinations grow, so too do VFR numbers. This is irrespective of how attractive the city is because the attraction (not entirely but largely) lies with the people. Tourism cities face particular challenges with accommodating visitors because they must provide infrastructure to cope with the growing population, the needs of the tourists and the needs of VFR travellers who may be attracted to the city because of the people, the city attractions or possibly a combi-nation of both
Description:
The purpose of this chapter is to : Highlight the importance of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel now and in the future; Discuss key demographic trends related to VFR travel and analyse the findings from a study of VFR tourism to two Australian including destinations, including: VFR travellers represent a substanial form of solo-travellers and single-person households are forecast to grow in the future. VFR travel represents a hidden form of travel for children travelling without parents (linked with emerging niche market, the 'grand-traveller'); VFR travelly utilise commercial accomodation, and their usage of this is likely to increase; VFR travel has important social benefits to families; VFR travel will grow as a market segment for older travellers, especially those in the final stages of the family life cycle.