A Study of Female Travelers' Needs Trajectory and Family Life Cycle

ABSTRACT This study examined female travelers' needs and preferences trajectory by adopting the concepts of modernized family life cycle and the travel career ladder. The results supported the travel career ladder model to an extent, yielding four major needs, namely, relaxation, relationship, self-development, and self-esteem oriented. The patterns of female travelers' needs of the travel career ladder and travel preferences were varied across different stages of the family life cycle and employment status. The results indicated that providing total relaxation, socialization, and self-development opportunities can be examples of potential marketing communication emphases for tourism marketers targeting at female travelers.