Title: The college student travel market: exploring the key factors influencing higher education Arab students' travel decisions

Authors: Abdulaziz Mohammed Alsawafi; Hamed Almuhrzi

Addresses: College of Applied Sciences, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Nizwa, P.O. Box 699, Postal Code 611, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman ' Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 42, P.C. 123, Al-khod, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the key factors influencing Arab college students' travel decisions in terms of their selection of tourist attractions, accommodation, mode of transport, restaurants and travel agency. The study also sought to identify whether there are significant differences in travel decisions of Arab college students that could be attributed to socio-demographic variables. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 200 Arab college students. The study revealed that reputation and quality were always the most influencing factors on Arab college students' travel decisions, especially when they are choosing accommodation, mode of transport, restaurants and travel agency. On the other hand, the study showed that Arab college students are less likely to be affected by media publicity when choosing tourist attractions, accommodation, mode of transport, restaurants and travel agency. Finally, the study discussed both the theoretical and managerial implications related to Arab students' travel market, and possible future research directions.

Keywords: student travel market; travel decisions; student travel behaviour; destination choice; Arab.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLTM.2022.122460

International Journal of Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 2022 Vol.7 No.3, pp.235 - 250

Received: 27 Sep 2021
Accepted: 22 Dec 2021
Published online: 25 Apr 2022 *