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The infosource scale: a measure to assess the importance of external tourism information sources

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  • Claudia Seabra
  • Luis Filipe Lages
  • Jose Luis Abrantes

Abstract

Information sources have long been considered an important variable in understanding consumer purchasing behaviors. Although research on information sources has been performed in a wide range of social disciplines, this variable has never been operationalized in a services marketing context. In this paper we develop a scale that measures the importance of information sources to the selection of tourism services. Insights from an empirical study of 350 tourists indicates that this multi-dimensional scale incorporates five types of information sources: 1) media, 2) institutional brochures, 3) commercial brochures, 4) travel agents, and 5) internet. Discussion centers on implications of this scale to theory and managerial development of tourism and services strategies. Directions for future research are also presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Seabra & Luis Filipe Lages & Jose Luis Abrantes, 2003. "The infosource scale: a measure to assess the importance of external tourism information sources," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp440, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:unl:unlfep:wp440
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    References listed on IDEAS

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