Analysis of adventure tourist motivation: the case of China-born international students in New Zealand universities

aut.embargoNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.containsNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.permissionNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.removedNoen_NZ
dc.contributor.advisorJohnston, Charles
dc.contributor.authorLou, Jinglan
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-18T00:04:42Z
dc.date.available2014-11-18T00:04:42Z
dc.date.copyright2014
dc.date.created2014
dc.date.issued2014
dc.date.updated2014-11-17T23:44:43Z
dc.description.abstractDespite the rapid increase of inbound tourism in New Zealand, the essence of its overseas Chinese student market has never been sufficiently studied. In response to this gap, the aim of this research is to discover the motivations of China-born international university students to experience adventure recreation activities in New Zealand. This study emphasises the importance of tourist motivations in destination planning for the Chinese overseas student market. A significant aspect of this probe is a demonstration of the application of tourist motivation theories in tourism industry practice. To develop insight into the Chinese overseas student market, the dominant focus of this study is to develop a useable model of Chinese student motivations to choose New Zealand as an adventure tour destination. The investigation utilises a quantitative methodology to determine China-born international university students’ motivations to engage in New Zealand adventure tourism. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the data. With limited resources of time and money, a sample of 153 respondents was drawn from Chinese overseas university students studying in New Zealand; the survey was conducted in the four weeks from 16th May to 12th June 2014 during daylight hours. Exploratory factor analysis conducted to validate the adventure travel motivations. A suite of independent t tests and one-way ANOVA tests were adopted to explore the influence of demographics and travel characteristics. The items “achievement and risk taking”, “ego enhancement”, “novelty and knowledge seeking” and “exciting experience” were found to be the most significant motivators related to the reasons for Chinese students choosing to participate in adventure activities in New Zealand. To date no other studies have investigated the motivations of China-born international university students to choose New Zealand as an adventure destination. The findings of this research can be used by the New Zealand tourism sector to market adventure travel experiences to Chinese overseas students and to highlight how the New Zealand tourism sector caters to these primary motivations. This will enable the sector to deliver better quality service and provide unique tourist experiences. Recommendations for future studies are presented.en_NZ
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/7917
dc.language.isoenen_NZ
dc.publisherAuckland University of Technology
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subjectChina-born international university studentsen_NZ
dc.subjectAdventure tourismen_NZ
dc.subjectNew Zealanden_NZ
dc.subjectAdventure motivationen_NZ
dc.titleAnalysis of adventure tourist motivation: the case of China-born international students in New Zealand universitiesen_NZ
dc.typeDissertation
thesis.degree.discipline
thesis.degree.grantorAuckland University of Technology
thesis.degree.levelMasters Dissertations
thesis.degree.nameMaster of International Hospitality Managementen_NZ
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
LouJL.pdf
Size:
583.63 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Dissertation
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
895 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: