The effects of motivational and demographic factors in destination choices based upon recreational opportunities

The Effects of Motivational and Demographic Factors in Destination Choices Based Upon Recreational OpportunitiesThe aim of this study is to determine the effects of motivational and demographic factors in the destination choices of university students based upon recreational opportunities.700 students in total, including 435 females (62.1%) and 265 males (37.9%), from the universities of the city of Ankara including Bilkent University, Atılım University, Hacettepe University and Gazi University, constitute the sample group ( age = 20.85, SD= 1.61).In the first section of the data collection tool, questions regarding personal information about the students were included. In the second, third and fourth sections, ?Scale of Recreational Activities in Destination Choices? (SRADC), ?Scale of Intrinsic Travel Motivations? (SITM), and ?Scale of Extrinsic Travel Motivations? (SETM) which had been developed by the researcher himself and whose validity and reliability had been confirmed, were used in order. ?Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regression Analysis? and ?Multivariate ANOVA Analysis? were used in the analysis of data. Statistical analysis were evaluated at the level of 95% confidence interval and ?= .05 significance.According to research results, attaching importance on recreational activities while making destination preferences can be explained by intrinsic and extrinsic travel motivations. It was understood that while university students were making destination preferences, intrinsic travel motivations were primary effective in placing importance on recreational activities. With respect to significance level, students whose ?travel?, ?discovery?, ?visit? and ?distancing? motivations were high gave much importance to recreational activities in their destination preferences. While attaching importance to recreational activities, extrinsic travel motivations presented a secondary significance in due course of university students? destination preferences. Hereunder, ?cultural richness?, ?natural richness? and ?popularity? motivations are important at a significant level. Considering the other results attained at the research, it was seen that female students gave importance to recreational activities relatively more than male students, students at state universities gave more importance to recreational activities than the ones at the private universities and the students who defined themselves as being in a moderate level of welfare gave more importance to recreational activities than the students who defined themselves as being in a good level of welfare.Key Words: Recreation, Tourism, Motivation, Destination Choice