Travel is beneficial. It creates opportunities for people to see other cultures, experience history, learn, strengthen bonds with loved ones and might even be beneficial to one’s health. Yet research that empirically shows benefits beyond assisting communities with their economy is lacking. This article articulates the need for further benefits research and, we hope, will serve as an impetus for extensive academic and practical work in this area. It also unveils the overriding methodology used in the subsequent articles in the current special series and attempts to reveal the role the U.S. Travel Association has played in creating inertia in this topic of study.
FrechtlingDouglas C. (2006). “An Assessment of Visitor Expenditure Methods and Models.” Journal of Travel Research, 45 (1): 28-35.
4.
LeeKi WonKimYoung JunLeeHyong JooLeeChang Yong. (2003). “Cocoa Has More Phenolic Phytochemicals and a Higher Antioxidant Capacity Than Teas and Red Wine.” Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 51 (25):7292-95.
5.
PapathanassisAlexisBeckmanInsa. (2011). “Assessing the ‘Poverty of Cruise’ Hypothesis.” Annals of Tourism Research, 38 (1): 153-74.
6.
Sirgy. (2010). “Toward a Quality of Life Theory of Leisure Travel Satisfaction.” Journal of Travel Research, 49 (2): 246-60.
7.
TyrrellTimothy J.JohnstonRobert L. (2006). “The Economic Impacts of Tourism: A Special Issue.” Journal of Travel Research, 45 (1): 3-7.
