This book is based on papers given at the 2nd Symposium on Consumer Psychology of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure (CPTHL) in Vienna in July 2000. The Symposium comprised papers reflecting the progress in consumer psychology theory and research. The Vienna Symposium put special emphasis on consumer decision making for evaluating choice alternatives in tourism, leisure, and hospitality operations. The reports have been arranged into five major compartments.

Here is an informative overview of economic psychology as applied to the study of travel and tourism. Economic psychology provides evidence about the behavior of consumers that is instrumental for the development of economic theory as well as for marketing, consumer policy, and research on travel and tourism. Economic Psychology of Travel and Tourism stimulates new approaches to the study of travel and tourism. Chapters contain empirical studies and explore conceptual and theoretical perspectives of the sociopsychological mechanisms that underlie travel and tourism demand and the economics of destinations. This book is a helpful resource for travel and marketing professionals and advanced students of tourism. These individuals often have a good background in psychology and in marketing, but little, if any, knowledge on how the two fields are linked. Economic Psychology of Travel and Tourism helps them see and understand the broader economic psychological issues that impact both the supply and demand sides of the travel and tourism economy. Economic Psychology of Travel and Tourism discusses such issues as corporate identity, promotion/advertising, information processing, meaning structure, and consumer behavior, research, and demand. Specific chapters in this book include: an investigation of the relationship between the way tourists think to realize their dreams and the tourist industry's potential to make those dreams come true an examination of current literature related to 4 prevalent topical areas associated with consumer behavior in recreational and touristic contexts an exploratory study to determine the extent to which friends and/or relatives influence travel decisionmaking processes beyond the role of information provider the development of a model of decisionmaking associated with long-term, complex purchase processes effects of tour brochures with experiential information a study of promotion and demand in international tourism Economic Psychology of Travel and Tourism clarifies for readers applications of psychological theories and methods to the study of travel and tourism phenomena, helping them recognize areas of economic and social psychology that can help them deal more effectively with fundamental issues underlying the travel and tourism economy.

Annotation. Knowledge of consumer psychology and consumer behaviour in relation to tourism is valuable in determining the success of tourism and hospitality ventures. The book is an edited collection of papers from the 3rd Symposium on Consumer Psychology of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure, held in Melbourne, Australia in January 2003. Themes covered by the papers include attitudes, emotions and information processing; motivation and learning; consumption systems; decision and choice; experience and satisfaction; market segmentation; attraction and loyalty; and image and interpretation.

What makes life worth living? Many people would argue that it is fulfilling experiences. These experiences are characterised by feelings of joy and pleasure, positive relationships and a sense of engagement, meaning and achievement. Tourism is arguably one of the largest self-initiated commercial interventions to promote well being and happiness on the global scale but yet there is absence in the literature on the topic of fulfilling tourist experiences from psychological perspectives. Drawing on insights and theories from the research field of positive psychology (the study of well being), this is the first edited book to evaluate tourist experiences from positive psychology perspectives. The volume addresses the important topic of fulfilment through the lens of the world’s largest social global phenomenon tourism. In doing so, the book refreshes and challenges some aspects of tourist behaviour research. The chapters are grouped under three broad sections which reflect a range of positive psychological outcomes that personal holiday experiences can produce, namely; happiness and humour; meaning and self-actualisation and health and restoration. The book critically explores these fulfilling experiences from interdisciplinary perspectives and includes research studies from wide range of geographical regions. By analysing the contemporary fulfilling tourist experiences the book will provide further understanding of tourist behaviour and experience. Written by leading academics this significant volume will appeal to those interested in Tourism and Positive Psychology.

"Leisure is everywhere, but its impact on people's lives is often overlooked. Leisure is more than “doing nothing” or “hanging out.” It has implications for society, affecting economics, politics, business, health, and the environment. On an individual level, it offers multiple opportunities for personal growth and development. And it contributes to a better quality of life for individuals and communities as a whole. With Dimensions of Leisure for Life: Individuals and Society, students will learn to understand and appreciate leisure and explore the ways that their leisure choices can help them lead happier, more balanced lives both now and in the future. ... With contributions from 22 leading professors, the book examines the following: the concept of leisure, including the various ways in which it has been defined and described, the benefits associated with it, the scope of the leisure industry field, and the basis for studying leisure as a social science; the impact of leisure on quality of life, health, physical activity and stress levels, and overall happiness and well-being; the social significance of leisure, including the interaction of leisure with history, contemporary society, technology, the environment, economics, and politics and public policy; the factors that influence each individual's leisure choices and level of involvement in leisure activities, such as awareness of local options, barriers of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status, geographic distribution of leisure spaces; and maturity level and stage of development."--Publisher.

This book explores, from a leisure studies perspective, the central role that leisure has to play in positive psychology, exploring themes such as flow, fulfilment, altruism, well-being, and interpersonal relationships.

With a new full-color design with perforated worksheets, the Tenth Edition of Kraus' Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society provides a detailed introduction to the history, developments, and current trends in leisure studies. It addresses contemporary issues facing the recreation and leisure profession and focuses on challenges and opportunities that impact the profession now as well as years from now. Extensive research into emerging trends helps support the text and provide insights into the future. Focusing on the ten different types of organizations --ranging from nonprofit community organizations and armed forces recreation to sports management and travel and tourism sponsors -- this classic text text is an invaluable resource for students considering a career in the recreation and leisure industry. New to the Tenth Edition: - Discusses how specific trends, such as dramatic shifts in population make-up, the impact of technology, and marketing affect leisure-service systems and the recreation and park professions. - Focus on the role of parks and recreation on the health and wellness of our communities as well as means to combat the obesity epidemic in North America. - Includes new case studies which allow students to apply knowledge of technology in leisure, identify the value and benefits of play, and recognize the changing family structures of our modern society.

This work applies the major concepts and research findings from a number of the central areas of psychology to tourism and tourist behaviour. It looks at individual psychological perspectives and their application to tourism, and the social conceptualizations of the tourist industry.