Expertise, experience and self‐confidence in consumers' travel information search
International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research
ISSN: 1750-6182
Article publication date: 7 June 2011
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between consumer self‐confidence, product expertise, and travel experience in the context of travel information search during vacation planning.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design is based on a panel study to monitor trip planning processes of Austrian travelers. A structural model is used to assess to what degree consumer self‐confidence, product expertise, and travel experience affect travel information search and to examine the influence of consumer self‐confidence on product expertise.
Findings
Findings from the study show that consumer self‐confidence significantly affects product expertise. Travel experience, on the other hand, positively influences product expertise that again is positively related to travel information search. No significant relationship is established between travel experience and travel information search.
Research limitations/implications
While most of the previous studies investigated information search using cross‐sectional data, this study addresses the need for more accurate research on information search adopting a panel design. One major limitation of the study is the small sample size. Results from a larger sample might be different in regards to the magnitude of the relationships.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the overall understanding of how knowledge and ability‐related factors impact travel information sourcing. The tourism literature reveals no other study that has simultaneously quantified consumer self‐confidence and product expertise during trip planning.
Keywords
Citation
Teichmann, K. (2011), "Expertise, experience and self‐confidence in consumers' travel information search", International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 184-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506181111139591
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited