Title: A critical assessment of the role of fashion in influencing the travel decision and destination choice

Authors: Clifford Lewis; Greg Kerr; Lois Burgess

Addresses: Faculty of Commerce, Institute for Innovation in Business and Social Research, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia ' Faculty of Business and Management, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Dubai, 20183, United Arab Emirates ' Faculty of Commerce, Institute for Innovation in Business and Social Research, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia; Marketing Research Innovation Centre University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia

Abstract: While the word fashion is often associated with clothing and accessories, the objective of this paper is to argue that as a broader concept, fashion has relevance to tourism. It is argued that fashion can influence behaviour and both the decision to travel, and the destination selected may in some cases be a fashion statement by the traveller. Following discussion as to the meanings and explanations of fashion, a conceptual model is presented having the purpose of demonstrating how fashion can be a moderating variable in the travel decision and destination selection process. The model proposes the influence of fashion on leisure tourism, and is a foundation for future studies to further investigate fashion and tourism.

Keywords: fashion theory; leisure travel; decision making; tourism; symbolism; destination choice; tourist destinations; travel decisions; destination selection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2013.054052

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2013 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.4 - 18

Published online: 02 Jul 2014 *

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