Motorcycle tourism demand generators and dynamic interaction leisure

Abstract

Purpose

Serious leisure and tourism experiences are important to the motorcycle subculture and form the basis for one subculture of consumption. This paper aims to further the understanding of motorcycle tourism demand generators so that a brand experience can be developed to appeal to this subculture.

Design/methodology/approach

A holistic approach was used to examine the open-end responses from motorcycle tourist survey data to discover emergent trends in motorcycle tourism and compare them to existing leisure and experiential tourism theories.

Findings

Analysis identified the applicability and limitations of demand generator theory, experiential tourism, the tourist gaze, drama-based theory and serious leisure theory when studying motorcycle tourism. A modified conceptual framework (Motorcycle Tourism Demand Generators) using core theories, contributing theories and useful theories emerged. Studying motorcycle tourism led to promulgating a new boundary, Dynamic Interaction Leisure, to study the motorcycle leisure lifestyle.

Research limitations/implications

Survey data were obtained from a small sample. The questionnaire was untested. Thus, results need further testing to be generalized. Respondents may be older than the general population of motorcycle riders. One researcher was a participant so care was taken to ensure objectivity.

Practical implications

Tourism bureaus and businesses can better understand motorcycle tourists' needs and facilitate creating brand experiences to improve motorcyclist's enjoyment. Promotional tools can be developed to encourage rural tourism that will generate substantial returns.

Originality/value

The paper modifies existing theories that study experiential tourism fitting them to motorcycle tourism suggesting a new model and boundary, Dynamic Interaction Leisure, to examine the sub-cultural motorcycle leisure lifestyle.

Citation

M. Sykes, D. and G. Kelly, K. (2014), "Motorcycle tourism demand generators and dynamic interaction leisure", International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 92-102. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCTHR-05-2013-0035