Understanding the travel motivation among youth travelers in Kenya: the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ paradigm

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth understanding of the factors that motivate youth travel in Kenya using the ‘Push’ and ‘Pull’ paradigm of travel motivation. The study adopted a questionnaire survey and involved 132 respondents drawn from visitors to the Nairobi national park within the ages of 15 to 30 years. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The survey found out that students formed the majority of youth travelers in Kenya. The study further demonstrated that “push” factors are more important determinants of youth travel in Kenya than the “pull” factors. In addition, while pull factors were identified as being relatively less significant, the study found out that the scope of destination product offering and delivery factors are considered as being more significant ‘pull’ factors for youth travel than the natural appeal of the destination.