Call for papers – Young Consumers
Special Issue: Family Consumption in Tourism

Editor:

Dr. Brian Young, University of Exeter

Guest editors:

Lucia Cicero, University of Udine

Linda Osti, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Scope of the Special Issue:

Interest in family consumption in the context of tourism has increased over the last decade and many scholars are now looking for texts to analyse with references for their literature reviews and conceptual frameworks. Marketers and social science researchers have adopted many different perspectives. For instance, family decision making concerning holidays as well as the child’s influence on the decision process have captured the interest of several academics (e.g., Blichfeldt et al., 2011; Gram, 2007; Khoo-Lattimore et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2010; Nanda et al., 2006; Therkelsen, 2010; Wang et al., 2004). Furthermore, investigations on the consumption characteristics of family tourism include studies on family tourist motivations and functions (e.g. Durko & Petrick, 2013; Fu et al., 2014; Kim & Lehto, 2013; Lehto et al., 2009; Lucena et al., 2015), as well as on holiday experiences by families (e.g., Carr, 2011; Kozak & Duman, 2012; Schänzel et al., 2012; Small & Harris, 2014). The aim of our special issue is to expand the gaze on family consumption behaviour in the tourism context. From the scholars’ point of view, the objective is to provide new insights on family tourism. Moreover, by examining in depth several theoretical and empirical issues, academics can enhance their knowledge on family preferences and behaviours, providing practitioners indicators for improving their targeting of families. Since family tourism studies are fragmented, this issue will contribute to a unitary body of knowledge by deepening unexplored research topics related to family consumption in tourism. Interest in family consumption in tourism will also increase in the near future and scholars will be looking for both quantitative and qualitative high quality papers on the topic to review.

The topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

• Family decision making on holiday
• Family dynamics in tourist group decisions
• The impact of children’s requests on family vacation decisions
• Extended families on holiday (e.g., grandparents travelling with grandchildren)
• Tourist motivations by families with children
• The experience of holidaying together
• Request of tourist facilities by families

Each paper will be reviewed by the editor and the guest editors. If it is judged suitable for the publication, it is then sent to at least two independent referees for double blind peer review.

Submission deadline: 15th July 2017
Publication: First Issue 2018

Format:

All submitted papers must be written in English and contain only original work, which has not been published by or is currently under review for any other journal or conference. The author guidelines are available at the link:

http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/author_guidelines.htm?id=yc

Please use the “Submit to the journal” link and when you upload your paper select this special issue from the from down menu provided.

For any requests, please contact the guest editors:

• Lucia Cicero: cicero.lucia@spes.uniud.it
• Linda Osti: linda.osti@unibz.it

References:

• Blichfeldt, B. S., Pedersen, B. M., Johansen, A., & Hansen, L. (2011). Tweens on holidays. In-situ decision-making from children’s perspective. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 11(2), 135-149.

• Carr, N. (2011). Children’s and families’ holiday experiences. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

• Durko, A. M., & Petrick, J. F. (2013). Family and relationship benefits of travel experiences. A literature review. Journal of Travel Research, 52(6), 720–730.

• Fu, X., Lehto, X., & Park, O. (2014). What does vacation do to our family? Contrasting the perspectives of parents and children. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 31(4), 461–475.

• Gram, M. (2007). Children as co-decision makers in the family? The case of family holidays. Young Consumers, 8(1), 19-28.

• Khoo-Lattimore, C., Prayag, G., & Cheah, B. L. (2015). Kids on board: Exploring the choice process and vacation needs of Asian parents with young children in resort hotels, Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management, 24(5), 511-531.

• Kim, S. S., Choi, S., Agrusa, J., Wang, K., & Kim, Y. (2010). The role of family decision makers in festival tourism. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 29(2), 308–318.

• Kim, S., & Lehto, X. Y. (2013). Travel by families with children possessing disabilities: Motives and activities. Tourism Management, 37, 13–24.

• Kozak, M., & Duman, T. (2012). Family members and vacation satisfaction. Proposal of a conceptual framework. International Journal of Tourism Research, 14(2), 192–204.

• Lehto, X. Y., Choi, S., Lin, Y., & MacDermid, S. M. (2009). Vacation and family functioning. Annals of Tourism Research, 36(3), 459–479.

• Lucena, R., Jarvis, N., & Weeden, C. (2015). A review of gay and lesbian parented families’ travel motivations and destination choices: gaps in research and future directions. Annals of Leisure Research, 18(2), 272-289.

• Nanda, D., Hu, C., & Bai, B. (2006). Exploring family roles in purchasing decisions during vacation planning: review and discussions for future research, Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 20(3/4), 107-125.

• Schänzel, H., Yeoman, I., & Backer, E. (Eds.) (2012). Family tourism. Multidisciplinary perspectives. Bristol, UK: Channel View Publications.

• Small, J., & Harris, C. (2014). Crying babies on planes: Aeromobility and parenting. Annals of Tourism Research, 48, 27–41.

• Therkelsen, A. (2010). Deciding on family holidays—Role distribution and strategies in use. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 27(8), 765–779.

• Wang, K., Hsieh, A., Yeh, Y., & Tsai, C. (2004). Who is the decision-maker: the parents or the child in group package tours? Tourism Management, 25(2), 183–194.

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