Abstract:
Purpose – This paper seeks to analyze the extent to which New Zealand domestic and outbound
travelers’ book components of their trip in advance or at their destination and to explore the factors that
influence this. Furthermore, the paper compares the distribution channels used by domestic and
outbound travelers to purchase different travel products and to examine why these channels have been
selected.
Design/methodology/approach – The study involves the collection and analysis of data on the profiles,
trip characteristics and distribution behavior of domestic and outbound travelers based on a nationwide
telephone survey of 1,000 respondents.
Findings – Little variation was found in the profile characteristics of domestic and outbound travelers
but significant differences occurred in terms of the trip characteristics, the extent of booking in advance
and at the destination, reasons why advance bookings were not made, how bookings were made and
the channels used all exhibited significant differences according to domestic or outbound travel. This
pattern was less consistent with regards to the factors influencing how the bookings were made and the
factors affecting channel choice.
Research and practical implications – The findings illustrate the complexity of travel decision-making
issues, underline the need to take account of differences between domestic and outbound travel and
across trip components, and to examine the factors that underlie distribution related behavior.
Originality/value – The value and originality of this paper lie in the systematic comparison of the
booking and channel choice behavior of domestic and outbound travelers, the search for factors
influencing this behavior and a sectoral approach that differentiates transport to and at the destination.
