VISITING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES' (VFR) TRAVEL DECISION MAKING AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT

Visiting Friends and Relatives' (VFR) Travel Decision Making

And the Economic Impact

CHAPTER FIVE: RESULTS

A - Sri Lankans (Ex-patriates) living Overseas visiting Sri Lanka - Total sample is 266

The purpose of this survey was to examine the 'Variety-seeking Behaviour and Decision Making when Visiting Friends and Relatives by Sri Lankans and Sri Lankan expatriates and also the Economic Impact to the Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka'. Most of the participants had Australia as their current place of residence. On average, they had been living in Australia for more than three years. Most of them came to Australia as an independent migrant. Most of them had got Australian citizenship.

Most of the participants see travel as an important activity in their life because they needed the opportunity to take a break or they wanted to get in touch with the other cultures in the place they were visiting. Most of them had already travelled overseas on holiday before. Majority of them had visited Australia. Further, they visited overseas countries an average of 42 days. Most of them had travelled overseas three times in the last five years. Those who did not travel overseas were likely to travel Australia on holiday in the next five (5) years. Further, they were likely to return to places they previously visited.

Most of the participants thought that overseas country they visited was an interesting country to visit. They were completely satisfied with their trip. Participants would like to visit same country again rather than visiting another country. They always participated in other activities during their holidays. All the decisions were made by them during their holiday. Most of the participants disagreed that their host/s made all decisions during their holidays. Most of the participants were not sure whether decisions were made by both them and host/s during their holiday. Participants were disagreeing that their host/s spent most of their expenses during their holiday.

Participants were asked if they were planning a holiday overseas in the near future how many days they would spend in that country during that trip. On average, most of the participants intended 75 days. Most of them would be accompanied by family, friends or relatives in that trip. Most of them believe that visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) was the more common form of travel for them. However, some of them believe that Cultural holidays do not include VFR Most of the participants had family, friends, or relatives in the country they were visiting.

The travelers believed that it was important to have family and friends at the destination to which they travel. Travelers thought that destination should be interesting & attractive. Participants agreed that they always select a destination to which they have an emotional attachment such as family, friends, and sentimental value. Most of the participants agree that the destination should be romantic. There was a mix response regarding traveling to destinations where they had ...