In recent years advanced travel information systems (ATIS) have been used to affect commute behaviour. However, how travel information affects recreational travel, and more specifically how it influences the decision-making process, has received far less attention. In this article, a theoretical model is described that determines both the information that is used by individuals and secondly how this information influences the decision-making process. The focus will be on the short-term decisions of location and mode choice regarding a theme park visit. The model is based on the information integration theory, which describes how and when additional is gathered by individuals when faced with a problem or new situation, and on the short-term decision-making process as described by Crompton. The article also explains how the empirical study will be carried out. Although the focus is on recreational day trips the results can have an impact on travel information provision for e.g. commute travel in the Netherlands as well as other countries. (Author/publisher)
Abstract