The comparison of the attitudes of baby boomer, X and Y generations towards slow tourism and travel behaviours

The aim of this study is to determine whether there are significant differences between the attitudes of Baby Boomer, X and Y generations towards slow tourism. Also, it was investigated whether there are significant differences between the travel behaviors of these generations. The data of the study were obtained from people who residing in Eskişehir. A face-to-face questionnaires has been applied to 402 by using non-random sampling methods, judgemental (purposeful) and convenience sampling methods. 11 of these questionnaires were determine to be missing and inaccurate and 391 of the questionnaires were included to the analysis. According to the results of the chi-square test performed to determine the significant difference between Baby Boomer, X and Y generations and travel behaviors, it was concluded that there was a difference in terms of the number of accomodation days and who go on vacation with. As a result of the factor analysis scale of the attitude towards slow tourism, a five-factor structure emerged as environment, locality, slowness, local economy and time. According to the results of the research, generation Y has a more positive attitude towards the environmental dimension of slow tourism compared to the Baby Boomer and X generations. On the other hand, attitudes towards the locality and local economy dimensions of slow tourism were found more positive in terms of Baby Boomer and Y generations than X generations. In addition, the attitudes of these three generations towards the slowness dimension of slow tourism were determined positively. In line with the results of the research, suggestions were given to practitioners and researchers in the tourism sector. Keywords: Slow movement, Slow tourism, Baby Boomer, X generation, Y generation