The Effects of Household and Trip Characteristics on Trip Types: A Consumer Behavioral Approach for Segmenting the U.S. Domestic Leisure Travel Market

Abstract

This study examined the effect of income, travel expenditures, and demographic, socio-cultural, and trip-related characteristics on four trip types of the U.S. households. Using data from the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey, it was found that households with different trip types varied in their income, demographic, and sociocultural and trip-related characteristics, and exhibited different expenditure patterns on their taking of pleasure/personal trips. The results emphasized the importance of trip type as a key measure for segmenting the U.S. travel markets.