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Influence of an Online Travel Community on Travel Decisions

In: Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2008

Author

Listed:
  • Irem Arsal

    (Clemson University)

  • Sheila Backman

    (Clemson University)

  • Elizabeth Baldwin

    (Clemson University)

Abstract

Influence of online community member’s postings on travel decisions were analyzed using thematic networks. Tremapper was used to discover which country postings to be analyzed and resulted in analysis of 8 countries. This study identified 8 organizing themes from an analysis of 81 communication threads that consisted of 713 members and 1691 postings. Out of the 81 threads included in the study, 23 showed a clear evidence of influence. The members’ decisions were categorized by the information sources experience at destination such as residents and experienced travellers The analysis of the chosen countries and topics indicate that residents were more influential in food and beverage recommendations, safety concerns at the destination, and travel itinerary refinements (including things to do and places to see) whereas experienced travellers were more influential in accommodation recommendations, transportation, monetary issues like exchanging money and how much money to carry during the travel, destination information including tourist hassle at a specific destination, and itinerary advice.

Suggested Citation

  • Irem Arsal & Sheila Backman & Elizabeth Baldwin, 2008. "Influence of an Online Travel Community on Travel Decisions," Springer Books, in: Peter O’Connor & Wolfram Höpken & Ulrike Gretzel (ed.), Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2008, pages 82-93, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-211-77280-5_8
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-211-77280-5_8
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