Tourists' and retailers' perceptions of souvenirs

Kristen K. Swanson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

The nature of humans is to return from travelling with a souvenir of the experience. The purchase of a souvenir by a tourist serves as a tangible way of capturing or suspending in time an otherwise intangible experience. Many small businesses in the south-west region of the USA depend on souvenir sales for income. The purpose of this study was to assess south-western retailers' knowledge of tourists' souvenir purchase behaviour while visiting the area. Souvenir products, product attributes and store attributes were analysed for differences in importance between tourists and retailers. Factor analysis and t-tests were administered. Findings indicated differences exist between tourists and retailers with regard to souvenir products, product attributes and store attributes. By better understanding the relationship between tourists and their retail needs, tourism-based retail busi nesses may increase revenues and the economic activity of a host area.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)363-377
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Vacation Marketing
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

Keywords

  • American southwest
  • product attributes
  • retailing
  • souvenirs
  • store attributes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tourists' and retailers' perceptions of souvenirs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this