Why do Jordanian Tourists Travel Abroad? Push and Pull Theory Perspective

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to assess the 'push' and 'pull' factors drive Jordanian tourists to travel abroad. Quantitative methodology was employed, consisting of a self-administered questionnaire that involved inviting a convenience sample of 500 outbound Jordanian tourists in 2013. The results of this study revealed that the main push motivations for the respondents were ‘enjoyment’, ‘novelty’, ‘relaxation’,and ‘escape’. Whereas, the main factors underpinning pull motivations for the respondents were ‘the Nature and nice weather’, ‘historical and heritage attractions’, followed by ‘the interesting activities’. However, the outcomes of this study can play a vital role in helping the managers and marketers in different tourism sectors in Jordan to develop the marketing and management of tourism resources to decrease the numbers of Jordanian traveling overseas.