Star Trekkers, hot-rodders, Elvis impersonators and NASCAR nuts all travel in order
to indulge their interests, but who are these people and how far will they go to
fulfil their fanatical dreams? This study attempts to discover more about this
little understood tourist market, their needs and behaviours. The article draws
together the disparate literature on fanaticism to present a model from which
further analysis can occur. Accordingly, the examination begins with a psycho/social
perspective of fanatics that identifies their behaviours generally, and further as
consumers. The analysis is followed by melding tourism and recreation literature to
establish an enhanced understanding of the leisure fanatic. The examination
illuminates the concept of travel as being a function of the fanatic's
make-up and, as such, the study points to the types of touristic activities they
will undertake. Similarly, the role of special events is discussed as being of high
importance to the needs and desires of the fanatic in providing the right
environment to pursue their passions. In a final aspect to the study, negative
aspects of fanatics are highlighted which may affect their travel behaviours in
certain situations. The article examines the implications for those in the fields of
tourism and leisure management, where special interest tourism, or niche tourism, is
of increasing interest.
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URL (consulted March 2005): http://www.discovertasmania.com
