Destination, mode choice and psychological factors in European long-distance vacation travels
J.T. Berger (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
M.L. Moleman – Mentor (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
S. van Cranenburgh – Mentor (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
O. Cats – Mentor (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Merit Heijink-Vandembempt – Mentor (CE Delft)
Louis Leestemaker – Mentor (CE Delft)
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Abstract
European long-distance vacation travel is dominated by car and plane, despite railways offering superior energy efficiency. However, the influence of psychological factors (e.g., mode-related anxieties, risk-taking) and through-ticketing on vacation travel choices - particularly regarding destination and transport mode - remains understudied. It is important to verify whether these are significant, as this could potentially open new possibilities of policy design. This study investigates these influences using a stated portfolio choice experiment and a questionnaire among 691 Dutch residents who travelled outside the Netherlands for vacation in the last 5 years. The survey combined discrete choice tasks with psychological factor scales assessing train travel anxiety, air travel anxiety, fear of driving, and recreational risk-taking. Mixed Logit (MXL) and Multinomial Logit (MNL) models were estimated to analyse the data. The MNL model was applied to study how the obligation of through-ticketing would change European long-distance vacation travels. Key findings reveal that mode-related anxieties significantly influence mode choice, with air travel anxiety having the strongest negative effect. Recreational risk-taking influences destination choices and the perception of train transfers, while through-ticketing substantially reduces the disutility of train transfers, though not entirely. Sociodemographic factors, particularly age and recent vacation travel experience, also play a significant role. Direct train connections are generally preferred, except for groups with strong car habits and, in cases of some destinations, groups with plane vacation habits. This research demonstrates that psychological factors play a significant role in vacation travel behaviour, and their widespread omission in transport research may be unwarranted.
Related dataset 4TU.ResearchData:
https://doi.org/10.4121/24cbcc5f-7df5-438b-b86a-737072c1d55b
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