Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular Malaysia

This study explores the under-researched domain of self-drive tourism in rural and developing regions, focusing on the Asia-Pacific, particularly Peninsular Malaysia. The primary objective is to enhance understanding of self-drive tourism dynamics in this region by examining aspects such as routes,...

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Main Authors: Nadzirah Hosen, Isabel Paulino, Amran Hamzah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666957925000151
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author Nadzirah Hosen
Isabel Paulino
Amran Hamzah
author_facet Nadzirah Hosen
Isabel Paulino
Amran Hamzah
author_sort Nadzirah Hosen
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the under-researched domain of self-drive tourism in rural and developing regions, focusing on the Asia-Pacific, particularly Peninsular Malaysia. The primary objective is to enhance understanding of self-drive tourism dynamics in this region by examining aspects such as routes, motivations, and decision-making processes. Using an exploratory qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from car rental companies and international self-drive tourists. Findings highlight main circular routes, popular stopovers, and key attractions. Additionally, three motivational dimensions emerged: experiential (emotional benefits), functional (spatial and service aspects), and attractions-based (aesthetic, cultural, and nature-related interests). The study also reveals the central role of recommendations from personal networks and digital platforms in tourists' decision-making. Contrary to prior literature, pre-trip planning proves crucial in route setting and stopover choices, challenging the notion of spontaneity often linked to self-drive tourists.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2666-9579
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights
spelling doaj-art-2cf6cd5c37934161bae3c0b4a6f094bd2025-08-20T02:30:55ZengElsevierAnnals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights2666-95792025-05-016110018010.1016/j.annale.2025.100180Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular MalaysiaNadzirah Hosen0Isabel Paulino1Amran Hamzah2Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia; Corresponding author.Department of Organisation, Business Management and Product Design, Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, SpainDepartment of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, MalaysiaThis study explores the under-researched domain of self-drive tourism in rural and developing regions, focusing on the Asia-Pacific, particularly Peninsular Malaysia. The primary objective is to enhance understanding of self-drive tourism dynamics in this region by examining aspects such as routes, motivations, and decision-making processes. Using an exploratory qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from car rental companies and international self-drive tourists. Findings highlight main circular routes, popular stopovers, and key attractions. Additionally, three motivational dimensions emerged: experiential (emotional benefits), functional (spatial and service aspects), and attractions-based (aesthetic, cultural, and nature-related interests). The study also reveals the central role of recommendations from personal networks and digital platforms in tourists' decision-making. Contrary to prior literature, pre-trip planning proves crucial in route setting and stopover choices, challenging the notion of spontaneity often linked to self-drive tourists.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666957925000151Self-drive tourismTourist behaviorTourist motivationTouring routesPush and pull factorsDecision-making in tourism
spellingShingle Nadzirah Hosen
Isabel Paulino
Amran Hamzah
Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular Malaysia
Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights
Self-drive tourism
Tourist behavior
Tourist motivation
Touring routes
Push and pull factors
Decision-making in tourism
title Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular Malaysia
title_full Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular Malaysia
title_fullStr Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular Malaysia
title_short Identifying self-drive tourists' main routes, motivations and decision-making in Peninsular Malaysia
title_sort identifying self drive tourists main routes motivations and decision making in peninsular malaysia
topic Self-drive tourism
Tourist behavior
Tourist motivation
Touring routes
Push and pull factors
Decision-making in tourism
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666957925000151
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AT isabelpaulino identifyingselfdrivetouristsmainroutesmotivationsanddecisionmakinginpeninsularmalaysia
AT amranhamzah identifyingselfdrivetouristsmainroutesmotivationsanddecisionmakinginpeninsularmalaysia