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Abstract
This study examined VFR travelers in relation to their behaviors. Data were collected at fourteen sites Alachua County, Florida in 2001. Some of the sites included: hotels, local attractions and special events. A fixed choice questionnaire contained items asking about mode of transportation, demographic characteristics, number of people in the travel party, number of nights away, type of accommodation, types of information sources used to make the travel decisions, participation in 20 local activities, and 23 items measuring various images of the City of Gainesville and Alachua County. Results suggested that there seems to be a distinction between all three segments of the VFR market. AFR's tend to stay longer, have smaller travel parties, dine out take in the nightlife and visit a community or state park. They rely heavily on friends and relatives and previous visits for information. This segment tends to be younger with lower incomes. NAFR's stay the least amount of time, relay on friends and relatives and previous visits for information about the area, and visit scenic areas, dine out and visit a community park, this market is older with higher incomes and higher education levels. OFR's stay longer periods of time (one week on average), have larger travel parties (families?), like to participate in outdoor recreation, dining out and visiting scenic areas. This segment tends to be the most heterogeneous with varying life stages, ages and income levels.
Parent Publication
Citation
Pennington-Gray, Lori; Lane, Charles W.; Holdnak, Andrew. 2003. Developing a typology for understanding VFR as a primary purpose vs. VFR as a type of accommodation. In: Schuster, Rudy, comp., ed. Proceedings of the 2002 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-302. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 190-193
