A General Theory of Tourism Consumption Systems: A Conceptual Framework and an Empirical Exploration

A tourism consumption system (TCS) is defined as the set of related travel thoughts, decisions, and behaviors by a discretionary traveler prior to, during, and following a trip. The central proposition of a theory of TCS is that the thoughts, decisions, and behaviors regarding one activity influence the thoughts, decisions, and behaviors for a number of other activities. Using exit interview travel data and quick clustering analysis, this article empirically examines seven basic TCS propositions pertaining to decisions made once the destination has been selected. The findings support and extend the basic propositions specifically indicating clear patterns in the behaviors of visitors to Prince Edward Island, Canada. The authors conclude by recommending that this approach is useful for tourism marketers and practitioners in general. Suggestions are provided for analyzing TCS to increase the effectiveness of tourism marketing strategies.