Generation Y: opportunity or challenge – strategies to engage Generation Y in the UK attractions’ sector

Leask, Anna; Fyall, Alan; Barron, Paul

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which Generation Y (Gen Y) serves as an opportunity or challenge for visitor attractions in the UK and the corresponding strategies adopted to seek engagement with this generational segment. A multiple-case study design was adopted with face-to-face interviews undertaken with senior personnel at leading visitor attractions across the UK. The paper advances a number of marketing and experiential strategies before advocating that further research is required to explore the growing pains of Gen Y from ‘adolescence’ to ‘adulthood’ if the industry is going to be able to understand, meet and hopefully exceed their needs, wants and expectations in the challenging years to come

Citation

Leask, A., Fyall, A., & Barron, P. (2013). Generation Y: opportunity or challenge – strategies to engage Generation Y in the UK attractions’ sector. Current Issues in Tourism, 16(1), 17-46. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2011.642856

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 16, 2011
• Online Publication Date: Dec 19, 2011
• Publication Date: 2013-01
• Deposit Date: Aug 28, 2012
• Journal: Current Issues in Tourism
• Print ISSN: 1368-3500
• Electronic ISSN: 1747-7603
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 17-46
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2011.642856
• Keywords: visitor attraction; tourist attraction; Generation Y; marketing strategies; UK
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/5632