Migrant identity and subsequent travel behaviour

This study assesses whether changes in migrants' identity predict changes in their travel behaviour. Data were collected from Western professional migrants in Hong Kong and Macau using open-ended self-completed survey questions. Results derived from content analysis indicate that long-term migrants benefit from greater accessibility to many regional destinations, home-return trips, and lower fares while temporary migrants and those on contracts felt constrained to pursue pleasure travel. Factors explaining tourism-oriented motives to move comprise convenient hub, rite of passage, continuation of identity, and career maintenance. Many reasons are also found to account for changes in travel frequency and destination choice over time. These findings can shape marketing actions for destinations in the region as well as provide a platform for future theoretical and empirical research on the relationship between tourism and migration.