VFR Travellers - Visiting the destination or visiting the hosts?
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asian Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research Vol. 2, no. 1 (2008), p. 60-70
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- Description: Significant component of tourism. Despite this, VFR Travel has been largely ignored by marketing practitioners, and has remained underresearched in many domains. VFR Travel tends to be overlooked in marketing campaigns because travellers have been regarded as individuals who cannot be influenced because of their perceived minimal economic impact. However, VFR travellers are not always attracted solely by the hosts. The attractiveness of the destination can also have an influencing role on VFR trips. While little research has been done to examine these issues, this paper utilizes a whole tourism systems model to examine linkages between VFR tourists and destination regions. Comparative analysis compares VFR research undertaken in two different regions in Australia. This approach shows that VFRs are often influenced to embark on VFR trips because of the attractiveness of a destination. As such, while any region can attract VFRs because of the hosts, the attractiveness of a region as a tourist destination can influence the length of stay of visitors and as such, enhance the impact of VFR Travel on a local economy.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003006151
VFR travellers: How long are they staying?
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Research Conference 2010: Adding value through research p. 494-507
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- Description: Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travellers is a substantial segment of tourism in many destinations around the world. However, relative to its size, research has been lacking; commencing only around twenty years ago, and gaining momentum only this century. Research into VFR traveller profiles and characteristics has been limited, and some of what has been done conflicts with other findings. One such component, which is important for destinations, is length of stay. Whilst some of the research has indicated that VFR travel is associated with long length of stay, other research indicates that it is more linked with shortbreak tourism. This research has considered this concept, for VFR travellers compared with non-VFR travellers at three contrasting destinations in Australia. Based on quantitative research using probability sampling, VFR travellers were compared to non-VFR travellers at the popular tourism destination, Sunshine Coast (south-eastern Queensland); the northern Queensland destination of Townsville; and the inland Victorian destination of Ballarat. Whilst the average length of stay varied between all three destinations, relative to non-VFR travellers, there was no significant difference between VFR and non-VFR travellers. Therefore, VFR travel was not found to be associated with either short or long stay at the three destinations considered. However, length of stay was greater, the more popular the destination is with tourists. As such, VFR travellers stay at more attractive destinations longer than at less attractive destinations, but not at any significantly different level to non- VFRs
The VFR Trilogy
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 18th Annual CAUTHE Conference 2009 - See Change: Tourism & Hospitality in a Dynamic World, Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia 10th-13th February 2009
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- Description: The purpose of this research paper is to present three VFR models, the VFR trilogy, to enable implementation of materials into the syllabus for tourism units at universities. Despite VFR travel representing around half of Australia’s domestic travel market, VFR fails to be given much more than a cursory mention in core tourism teaching textbooks, and does not even make it to the index of other tourism textbooks. The failure of VFR travel to be discussed in tourism textbooks, results in VFR being overlooked in the teaching syllabus, since teaching often revolves around the textbooks. Future tourism marketers and future tourism managers therefore graduate with their tourism degrees, with a complete disregard for the potential of VFR travel as a marketing segment for the business that they will end up working within. Having developed three VFR models that assist in developing an understanding of VFR travel, the purpose of this paper is to assist in developing a better understanding of this tourism phenomenon, and provide the mechanism for which current and future teaching in tourism can include coverage of VFR travel.
- Description: 2003007345
Opportunities for commercial accommodation in VFR travel
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Tourism Research Vol. 12 , no. 4 (2010), p. 334-354
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- Description: This research explores the extent to which VFR travellers utilise commercial accommodation in the Sunshine Coast, Australia, and profiles the characteristics and behaviours of this particular type of VFR traveller. The research indicated that 26% of the VFRs stayed in commercial accommodation (CVFRs). This closely aligned with research using the same method in a comparative destination, Ballarat, Australia, indicating that 22% of VFRs stayed in commercial accommodation. CVFR travellers occupied similar types of commercial accommodation as non-VFRs and engaged in similar tourism activities. However, they came from different generating regions and used different sources of information for planning their trip. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
VFR travel : It is underestimated
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Tourism Management Vol. 33, no. 1 (2012), p. 74-79
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- Description: Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel is a substantial form of tourism worldwide. In Australia, official data measure VFR in one of two ways - purpose of visit or type of accommodation. However, this is only a measurement of those factors; it is not a measure of the size by volume of VFR travel. Yet tourism practitioners often mistakenly use these data to state the size of VFR travel in their destination. Based on quantitative research undertaken in three contrasting destinations in Australia, estimates for the size of VFR travel in those destinations is provided. These results highlight that using official data for measuring VFR travel will underestimate this segment in any Australian destination. Using the VFR definitional model as a conceptual model, this research has estimated that VFR travel represents 48% of Australia's total overnight tourism market. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
VFR travellers of the future
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Tourism and demography p. 73-86
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- 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.
- Description: 2003008919
The demographic Dividend of VFT Travel: Evidence from Australia conference
- Authors: Backer, Elisa , King, Brian
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Global Tourism & Hospitality Conference and Asia Tourism Forum
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- Description: 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.
Hosting friends versus hosting relatives : Is blood thicker than water?
- Authors: Yousuf, Mohammad , Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Tourism Research Vol. 19, no. 4 (2017), p. 435-446
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- Description: Little research has been undertaken to examine visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel from the perspective of hosts. Additionally, little research has explored the differences between VFs and VRs, treating VFR as one homogenous group. This research examined the hosts' perspective of hosting friends versus relatives through in-depth interviews with 34 local residents in three contrasting destinations in Australia. Key differences were found between the experiences of hosting friends versus relatives, with immigration a key aspect in impacting the outcome. This is the first study to examine hosting friends versus relatives and to consider how immigration and destination impact VFR travel experiences for hosts.
VFR travel in practice : Case studies from Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 24th Council for Australian Tourism and Hospitality Education Annual Conference; Brisbane, Queensland ; 10th-13th February 2014 ; published in CAUTHE 2014 - Tourism and hospitality in the contemporary world : Trends, changes and complexity p. 44-56
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- Description: Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel has been highlighted through previous research as being historically ignored and underestimated by both researchers and tourism marketing practitioners. However, a new wave of research may be encouraging an awakening in industry circles as to the economic, social and political benefits. Through three case studies in Victoria, Australia of successful VFR marketing campaigns, the reasons why practitioners have developed such marketing campaigns dedicated to reach and optimise their VFR travel ‘market’ are discussed. In addition, the rationale for such campaigns, and their associated marketing activities along with the measures used to judge their effectiveness are explored. The conclusions outline the common themes and issues from the three case studies, and in particular highlight the need for the campaigns to provide economic, social and political benefits.
VFR travel : Well-known but not known well
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 25th Council for Australian Tourism and Hospitality Education Annual Conference; Gold Coast, Queensland ; 2nd-5th February 2015 ; published in CAUTHE 2015 - Rising tides and sea changes : Adaptation and innovation in tourism and hospitality p. 55-66
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- Description: In terms of visitor numbers, VFR is a large form of travel. Whilst VFR is well-known by tourism academics and practitioners, little is known about this form of travel. Research is relatively new, commencing in 1990; and few researchers have taken much interest in the topic. Only one study has attempted to measure the size of VFR, which developed a national size model based on extrapolating primary research undertaken in contrasting destinations to a national level. That study estimated that VFR represented 48% of Australia’s domestic visitor market. The aim of this research was to ascertain the size of VFR and reveal key profiles and characteristics using a large dataset, derived from Tourism Research Australia’s (TRA) National Visitors’ Survey (NVS) data (2010-2013). Analysis of those data (n=111,566) revealed VFR represents 48.3% of Australia’s domestic overnight visitor market, who stay the same length of time as non-VFRs but spend significantly less.
The evolution of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel research : A content analysis
- Authors: Yousuf, Mohammad , Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 25th Council for Australian Tourism and Hospitality Education Annual Conference; Gold Coast, Queensland ; 2nd-5th February 2015 ; published in CAUTHE 2015 - Rising tides and sea changes : Adaptation and innovation in tourism and hospitality p. 363-375
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- Description: Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel is a significant form of tourism worldwide. Scholarly research into VFR commenced in 1990 and since then only one review of the literature has been conducted, which was a content analysis based exclusively on journal articles. That research, based from 1990-2010 highlighted that only 39 VFR articles had been published in tourism journals. Given the small number of publications identified, it was felt that an analysis encompassing a wider selection of publication forums would be valuable to scholarship. This research has undertaken a content analysis extending to 2014 that includes conference papers, book chapters and theses as well as tourism journal articles. The findings identified a growth in VFR travel conference papers and theses, but VFR has had little presence through book chapters. VFR research has historically focused on the commercial aspects, but more recently has turned to furthering understanding of the social aspects.
VFR traveller demographics : The social tourism dimension
- Authors: Backer, Elisa , King, Brian
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Vacation Marketing Vol. , no. (2017), p. 1-14
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- Description: The global phenomenon of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel is substantial, including in developed countries. In profiling its dimensions, researchers have examined various VFR characteristics including length of stay, origins and travel mode, though no thorough exploration has been undertaken of VFR demographics. Surprisingly this is the first large-scale study to examine VFR demographics and to consider all destination-related VFR data, not only those that are confined to purpose of visit. The researchers drew upon official Australian domestic travel data (n ¼ 81,579) to undertake a profile of the respective demographics of VFRs and non-VFRs. This assessment revealed that many people who would be classified as socio-economically disadvantaged engage in VFR travel. Previous literature has documented the lower participation of socio-economically disadvantaged groups in tourism and this article shows that they participate actively as VFRs. It is concluded that stimulating VFR travel provisionmay provide a mechanism for extending leisure experiences to those excluded from other forms of tourism.
VFR travel : Do visits improve or reduce our quality of life?
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management Vol. 38, no. (2019), p. 161-167
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- Description: Quality of Life (QOL) has started to emerge as an important component across numerous disciplines including tourism. Whilst studies regarding QOL have been around for decades in many disciplines, the field is relatively new in tourism. The relationship between QOL and tourism is important given that there have been studies revealing that travel can increase an individual's perceived and actual QOL. Those studies that have examined the relationship between QOL and tourism have focused on pleasure/leisure travel. Thus, other types of travel, namely Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel have not been examined with respect to QOL. In terms of QOL, VFR can be derided in conversation, identifying it as an unwanted irritation that can hardly boost QOL. This is particularly relevant in terms of VFR hosting. However, the link between VFR and QOL has not been empirically tested and as such, it is unclear whether VFR can improve or reduce QOL. Accordingly, this paper examines the link between VFR travel and QOL. Based on a sample size of 552 across Australia, this research found that whilst VFR can reduce QOL in some situations, in most cases, positive QOL benefits arise from both hosting and visiting VFRs. © 2019
VFR purpose of trip does not always mean staying with hosts - Predicting VFR purpose of trip and choice of accommodation
- Authors: Backer, Elisa , Laesser, Christian
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 21st Council for Australian Tourism and Hospitality Education Annual Conference; Adelaide, Australia; 8th-11th February 2011; published in CAUTHE 2011 Conference Proceedings - Tourism : Creating a brilliant blend p. 913-917
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- Description: Whilst destination marketing organisations around the world invest many resources into tourism marketing, little focus is placed on Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel. A primary reason for this has been linked to the assumed lack of benefits to commercial accommodation operators. However, not all VFR travelers stay with the friends or relatives that they travel to see. This research aims to contribute to the small body of literature that has considered the behaviours of those VFR travellers who select commercial accommodation. Focusing on the Swiss market as a typical mature travel market, this research has found several key differences between VFR travelers who stay with their friends or relatives and those who choose commercial accommodation. A key finding has been a significant difference in length of stay, whereby VFRs staying in commercial accommodation enjoy longer periods of stay in the region. Those VFRs also travel greater distances.
The propensity to engage in VFR travel across the family life cycle stages
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 26th Council for Australian Tourism and Hospitality Education Annual Conference; Sydney, Australia; 8th-11th February 2016; published in CAUTHE 2016 Conference Proceedings - The changing landscape : The impact of emerging markets and destinations p. 69-87
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- Description: The Family Life Cycle (FLC) model is frequently used for understanding travel patterns and consumer behaviour. The model outlines the stages many people are considered to transition through from singles, to couples, to having children, retiring and then being a solitary survivor. The aim of this research was to consider the relationship between life cycle stages and travel engagement in Australia. In particular, this research aimed to determine whether there were any differences in travel behaviour between Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travellers and non- VFRs across the FLC stages. Based on a sample size of 102,029 domestic visitors, an analysis revealed that VFRs and non-VFRs were significantly different in their FLC composition ( =6851.60, df=20, p<.05). Z tests of column proportions revealed differences across a number of the groups, with the strongest level of association identified for the older non-working single FLC stage (c = .14). This paper adds to the literature undertaken in the fields of family tourism and VFR travel with a focus on life cycle stages.
Travel and quality of life : Where do socio-economically disadvantaged individuals fit in?
- Authors: Backer, Elisa , Weiler, Betty
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Vacation Marketing Vol. 24, no. 2 (2018), p. 159-171
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- Description: Recently, there has been increasing scholarly interest in the relationship between tourism and quality of life (QOL). While the concept of QOL is contestable, a number of studies have revealed that travel can increase an individual’s perceived and actual QOL. To date, the focus has been on vacation travel, highlighting that travel primarily for the purpose of rest or recreation, whether to a holiday destination or touring, is a component of many people’s perceived QOL, and in some cases is a critical component. However, these more expensive forms of vacation travel are less accessible to those classified as socio-economically disadvantaged. Many such individuals can and do visit friends and relatives (VFR), suggesting that VFR may be a critical means by which socio-economically disadvantaged people can travel for pleasure and thereby maintain or improve their QOL. The article suggests a number of potential strategies based on the 8 Ps of the marketing mix, and these in turn inform avenues for future research.
VFR Travel : A viable market for tourism crisis and disaster recovery?
- Authors: Backer, Elisa , Ritchie, Brent
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Tourism Research Vol. 19, no. 4 (2017), p. 400-411
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- Description: Rebuilding tourist arrivals after crises/disasters is important. However, tourism may have negative impacts in terms of interfering with the destination recovery efforts, and adding distress to local residents. Therefore, consideration should be placed on timing tourism marketing as well as the market segments most suitable to target. This paper integrates both medical literature and tourism literature to consider whether Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel may be viable for destinations to consider after crises/disasters. The authors conclude that VFR travel offers both benefits and risks and recommends that only domestic VFR travellers are targeted to aid destination recovery. Future research avenues are also outlined. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship of VFR travellers with tourism industries
- Authors: Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at New Zealand Tourism & Hospitality Research Conference 2008: Re-creating Tourism, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand : 3rd-5th December 2008
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- Description: This research explores the extent to which hosts, local industries and destination regions influence VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) travellers’ purpose of visit. Whilst VFR travellers are often assumed to travel for the purpose of visiting friends and relatives, this research, based in the Sunshine Coast Australia, indicates that VFR is only one reason that motivates VFR travellers to travel. The simplistic view that VFRs are travellers whose purpose of visit is only VFR is challenged by these research findings showing that 26.6% of visitors who stayed with friends and relatives stated a Non-VFR purpose of visit. Clearly, if purpose of visit is used as a sole measurement for considering the size of VFR travel then a significant portion of VFR travellers will be missed. Interestingly, visitors staying with relatives were more inclined than friends to be travelling with this purpose in mind. Whilst 80.6% of visitors staying with relatives reported VFR to be their purpose of visit, only 63.4% of visitors staying with friends were travelling for VFR purposes. VFR travellers were also found to be significantly more likely than Non-VFRs to rely on word of mouth than other sources in terms of planning their trip. As such, the role that the local host has in influencing, not only the purpose of trip to begin with, but the activities undertaken during the visit is also critical. This relationship that VFR travellers have with industries, the destination, and the host are all interlinked and can influence the purpose, or purposes, of the trip. A VFR purpose of visit model is proposed to explain the relationships between these elements, also demonstrating that VFR is only one type of purpose of visit amongst VFR travellers.
- Description: 2003006242