Abstract

CAPELLA -CERVERA, Joan- Enric. Tourist Spatial Behaviour: Notes from Fiji. Estud. perspect. tur. [online]. 2006, vol.15, n.2, pp.125-148. ISSN 1851-1732.

This research paper contributes to the understanding of tourist spatial behaviour by use of participant observation in new Fijian resorts. Tourism development in Fiji has been uneven distributed and influenced by socio-political instability since last 50 years. Fijian matured tourist resorts are medium-high market oriented; however the Yasawas archipelago targets those segments that belong to the low market, namely backpacking. Backpackers' spatial behaviour is determined by two types of factors: internal factors are related to their passive motivation and their perception of a non well-planned environment. External factors are related to (1) the lack of efficiency in management processes, (2) place conditions, and (3) the quality of the environment, which restricts the tourist spatial behaviour. Participant observation has qualitatively contributed to a new understanding of the topic, which is frequently approached by use of surveys and interviews. Therefore, combination of techniques seems to be necessary.

Keywords : Tourist spatial behaviour; Backpackers; Participant observation; Fiji.

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