Motivational factors of youth tourists visiting Belgrade

Abstract

Youth tourism is characterized by diversity of participants' motivation, in which culture-related motivational factors were designated in the previous research as particularly important. Aim of the research is providing contribution to the current findings about general motivation of youth tourists and their motivation to visit Belgrade. Research was conducted via survey in which the respondents rated importance of different push and pull motivational factors on Likert scales. Results indicate that culture-related push factors were rated highly, but lower than having fun, visiting interesting places, getting away from the routine and excitement. The most important pull factors are contact with the local residents and cultural attractions sightseeing, which were rated higher than recreation and engagement in night life, confirming the important role of culture in the motivation of youth tourists. The fact that Belgrade was on the way to another destination and the perceived inexpensiveness of stay in it were rated as more important pull factors than city's attraction base, which is in accordance with the determined transit quality of the visit. By using statistical methods (t-test, ANOVA), it was established that socio-demographic characteristics and trip frequency had significant influence on general and tourists' motivation to visit Belgrade.