Cross-border tourism and the regional economy: a typology of the ignored shopper

Citation

Boonchai P & Freathy P (2020) Cross-border tourism and the regional economy: a typology of the ignored shopper. Current Issues in Tourism, 23 (5), pp. 626-640. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2018.1548579

Abstract
While previous studies have acknowledged the importance of cross border travellers to regional economic development, the significance of visitors from less developed and emerging nations, has received only limited academic attention. Through the application of market segmentation techniques to Laotian tourists, this paper identifies complex patterns of purchase behaviour that includes functional and utilitarian motives as well as more hedonistic practices. Such findings suggest that the economic impact of cross border travellers is not confined to the tourism and hospitality industries and that differences in consumption behaviour affords opportunities for a range of local businesses and service providers.

Keywords
Regional economic development; market segmentation; cross-border shopping; consumer typology; emerging nations

Journal
Current Issues in Tourism: Volume 23, Issue 5