TRAVEL ITCH AS A NEW PHENOMENON: TRAVEL MOTIVES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ITCHERS

Pala, Tuğba

Purpose – This study aims to better understand the phenomenon of travel itch by revealing the travel motives and travel attributes of “travel itchers” within the framework of motivational theories. Design/methodology/approach – This is an exploratory study. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from individuals who have first-hand experience of travel itch (N: 30). Data were analysed using content analysis within the framework of motivational theories. Findings – This exploratory study finds that travel itch means a desire to travel and findings revealed that the motives of travel itchers are novelty, escape, host-site involvement, self-actualization, stimulation in line with the Travel Career Pattern (TCP) except travel itself. Travel itself is both one of the main mot...