Going with the flow: An assessment of the relationship between young people's leisure and holiday behaviour

Abstract

This study compares how young people behave while they are on vacation (i.e. holiday behaviour) and in their place of origin (i.e. leisure behaviour). Data were collected using a series of in-depth interviews and recall diaries. Comparing behaviour in the holiday and home environments provides an analysis of the relationship between tourism and leisure, which is currently a matter of debate (Colton 1987; Ryan 1994; Moore et al. 1995). Consequently, this research explores the relationship between leisure and tourism theories. The results of the study suggest that while they are on vacation the people interviewed tended to behave in a more liberal and hedonistic manner than when in their place of origin. However, this holiday behaviour seems to be an extension of their leisure behaviour, rather than separate from it. This may support the hypothesis that tourists' behaviour is influenced by a combination of socio-cultural norms and values, and personal motivations that are present in both the home and holiday environments.