Research Outline

Culture Tourists

Goals

The motivations behind visiting famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, as well as, how much of their trips travelers dedicate to visiting these landmarks, whether price is an important factor, and the type of travelers that visit them.

Early Findings

  • Travelers who visit famous landmarks tend to be culture and heritage tourists. These are tourists that visit "historic buildings and other historic attractions; archaeological sites; state, local, or national parks; art galleries or museums; concerts, plays or musicals; and ethnic or ecological heritage sites."
  • They visit these landmarks because they consider them more "memorable than conventional holiday trips since they allow them to learn something new."
  • One study found that culture and heritage tourists stay longer and spend more money while traveling than other tourists do. They spend up to 38% higher per day and stay 22% longer than other tourists.
  • Culture & heritage tourists do not care a lot about price as long as they are getting the value they expect. They understand that these landmarks can be expensive and are willing to pay higher for a high-quality experience.
  • They also believe that their "investment in travel not only provides a much-needed escape from their daily grind but also allows them to learn and experience something new."
  • A lot of culture and heritage tourists are millennials and gen xers.
  • Most of these travelers stay over night at local hotels, bed and breakfasts, motels, or campgrounds. They put "more money back into the local economy by patronizing local merchants and locally crafted mementos instead of kitschy souvenirs and imported tchotchkes."