Differences between male and female sport event tourists: A qualitative study

    Authors

    P. J. Chen

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Int. J. Hosp. Manag.

    Keywords

    Gender differences; Gender equality; Self-actualization; Social support; Volunteering; ZMET; BRAND LOYALTY; SATISFACTION; INVOLVEMENT; COMMITMENT; ATTENDANCE; GENDER; SPECTATORS; PREFERENCE; IDENTITY; BEHAVIOR; Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism

    Abstract

    This qualitative study, using the Zaltaman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET), investigated differences between male and female sport event tourists. Study participants cited different attributes, consequences, and values with respect to the five themes that emerged from this study: loyalty, socialization, self-actualization, volunteering, and equality through sport. The use of a grounded qualitative research approach made it possible to discover that the act of sport spectating could give sport event tourists the opportunity to reach other goals (e.g., social responsibility, self-actualization and healthy lifestyle), This study made several unique contributions to event tourism research. The most important finding, however, had to do with self-actualization. Socialization, travel, volunteering, and promoting gender equality and other social responsibilities through sport enable people to reach their potential and achieve a healthy lifestyle. These singular findings have implications to sports event management and marketing strategies. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    International Journal of Hospitality Management

    Volume

    29

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    277

    Last Page

    290

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000275181000011

    ISSN

    0278-4319

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