Study abroad motivations, destination selection and pre-trip attitude formation

This study examines the role of motivations, prior travel experience, social ties and destination choice in pre-trip attitude formation. The sample for this study is composed of a group of university students who recently participated in study abroad programs to the South Pacific or Europe. The results revealed that academic motivations and social ties influence students' destination selection for the study aboard program. Social motivation emerged as the most important factor that influences attitude toward the destinations prior to the trip. Further analysis found that the destination intended to visit mediates the effect of social motivation on pre-trip attitude formation. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.