Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

User-generated content (UGC) in pleasure travel decision-making

Kennell, S. and Rushton, A. (2015) User-generated content (UGC) in pleasure travel decision-making. In: O'Malley, L. (ed.) 2015 Academy of Marketing Conference: The Magic in Marketing. Helensburgh: Academy of Marketing. 9781905952649.

Item Type: Conference Proceedings
Abstract: Web 2.0 has enabled people to create their own online information or user-generated content (UGC). This has inevitably impacted on the way that consumers’ research and buy products in the travel and tourism sector. The study builds on a rapidly developing field of research by exploring how UGC is used in combination with marketer-generated content (MGC) when holiday decisions are made. Case-studies of real-time diaries are combined with the results from an on-line survey to provide qualitative and quantitative insight into what UGC and MGC sources are used at which stages in the decision-making, why the different sources are used together with attitudes towards them. The results identify clear patterns of engagement with UGC from seeking inspiration for holiday ideas to departure. Conclusions include, but are not limited to, the definite shift from recommendations by family and friends (via social media) at the beginning of the process to user reviews when final accommodation choices are made; the use of both UGC and MGC throughout with users flicking between the two; the limited use of, and trust in, travel blogs; the anthropomorphising of UGC and the continuing use of UGC for recreation, reassurance and information after booking but before departure.
Uncontrolled Keywords: User-generated content, UGC, travel purchasing, on-line consumer purchasing behaviour
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5410 Marketing. Distribution of products > HF5415.32 Consumer behavior
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) > G149 Travel. Voyages and travels (General) > G155 Tourism
Creators: Kennell, Sarah and Rushton, Angela
Editors: O'Malley, Lisa
Publisher: Academy of Marketing
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Business & Law > Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Faculties > Faculty of Business & Law > Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Date: 9 July 2015
Date Type: Publication
Title of Book: 2015 Academy of Marketing Conference: The Magic in Marketing
Event Title: 2015 Academy of Marketing Conference (AM2015)
Event Dates: 07-09 July 2015
Place of Publication: Helensburgh
Event Location: University of Limerick
Event Type: Conference
Number of Pages: 6
Language: English
ISBN: 9781905952649
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
Related URLs:
References: Akehurst, G. (2008) User Generated Content: The Use of Blogs for Tourism Organisations and Tourism Consumers. Service Business. 3, 51-61. Chen, Y., Shang, R. and Li, M. (2014) The Effects of Perceived Relevance of Travel Blogs’ Content on the Behavioural Intention to Visit a Tourist Destination. Computers in Human Behaviour. 30, 787- 799. Cox, C., Burgess, S., Sellitto, C. and Buultjens, J. (2009) The Role of User-Generated Content in Tourists’ Travel Planning Behaviour. Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management. 18, 743-764. Darley, W.K., Blankson, C. and Luethge, D.J. (2010) Toward an Integrated Framework for Online Consumer Behaviour and Decision Making Process: A Review. Psychology and Marketing. 27, 94-116. Gretzel, U., Yoo, K.H. and Purifoy, M. (2007) Online Travel Review Study: Role and Impact of Online Travel Reviews. College Station, TX: Laboratory for Intelligent Systems in Tourism. Gretzel, U. and Yoo, K.H. (2008) Use and Impact of Online Travel Reviews. Information and Communication Technology in Tourism. 2008, 35-46. Hautz, J., Fuller, J., Hutter, K. and Thurridl. (2014) Let Users Generate Your Video Ads? The Impact of Video Source and Quality on Consumers’ Perceptions and Intended Behaviours. Journal of Interactive Marketing. 28, 1-15. Hernandez-Mendez, J., Munoz-Leiva, F. and Sanchez-Fernandez. (2013) The Influence of EWord-of-Mouth on Travel Decision Making: Consumer Profiles. Current Issues in Tourism. 1, 1-21. Hudson, S. and Thal, K. (2013) The Impact of Social Media on the Consumer Decision Making Process: Implications for Tourism Marketing. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 30, 156-160. Jacobsen, J. and Munar, A. (2012) Tourist Information search and Destination Choice in a Digital Age. Tourism Management Perspective. 1, 39-47. Kang, M. and Schuett, M. (2013) Determinants of Sharing Travel Experiences in Social Media. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 30, 93-107. Kim, S.B., Choi, K.W. and Kim, D.Y. (2013) The Motivations of College Students’ Use of Social Networking Sites In Travel Information Search Behaviour: The Mediating Effect of Interacting With Other Users. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 30, 238-252. Kusumasondjaja, S., Shanka, T. and Marchegiani, C. (2012) Credibility of Online Reviews and Initial Trust: The Roles of Reviewer’s Identity and Review Valence. Journal of Vacation Marketing. 18, 185-195. Leung, D., Law, R., van Hoof, H. and Buhalis, D. (2013) Social Media in Tourism and Hospitality: A Literature Review. Journal of Travel and Tourism Management. 30, 3-22. Litvin, S.W., Goldsmith, R.E. and Pan, B. (2008) Electronic Word-of-Mouth in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Tourism Management. 29, 458-468. Lo, I.S., McKercher, B., Lo, A., Cheung, C. and Law, R. (2011) Tourism and Online Photography. Tourism Management. 32, 725-731. Marine-Roig, E. (2014) A Webometric Analysis of Travel Blogs and Review Hosting: The Case of Catalonia. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 31, 381-396. O’Connor, P. (2010) Managing a Hotel’s Image on TripAdvisor. Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management. 19, 754-772. Page, K.L. and Pitt, L. (2011) Web 2.0, Social Media, and Creative Consumers: Special Issue. Journal of Consumer Behaviour. 10, i-iii. Pehlivan, E., Sarican, F. and Berthon, P. (2011) Mining Messages: Exploring Consumer Response to Consumer Behaviour – Vs. Firm-Generated Ads. Journal of Consumer Behaviour. 10, 313-321. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2012) Research Methods for Business Students. 6th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Sotiriadis, M.D. and van Zyl, C. (2013) Electronic Word-of-Mouth and Online Reviews in tourism Services: The Use of Twitter by Tourists. Electronic Commerce Research. 13,103- 124. Standing, C., Tang-Taye, J.P. and Boyer, M. (2014) The Impact of the Internet in Travel and Tourism: A Research Review 2001-2010. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 31, 82- 133. Tham, A., Croy, G. and Mair, J. (2013) Social Media in Destination Choice: Distinctive Electronic Word-of-Mouth Dimensions. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 30,144- 155. Veal, A.J. (2011) Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism. 4th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Xiang, Z. and Gretzel, U. (2010) Role of Social Media in Online Travel Information Search. Tourism Management. 31, 179-188. Zeng, B. and Gerritsen, R. (2014) What Do We Know About Social Media in Tourism? A Review. Tourism Management Perspectives. 10, 27-36.
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7792

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item