Liminality and the possibilities for sex and romance at an international bike meeting: a structural modeling approach

Authors

  • Milene Gonçalves Lança University of Algarve
  • João Filipe Marques University of Algarve
  • Patrícia Susana Pinto University of Algarve

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18089/

Keywords:

Faro International Bike Meeting, Liminoid Experiences, Romance, Sex, Structural Equation Modeling with Latent Variables.

Abstract

Sex and romance are part of everyday life and therefore are part of the tourism experiences. Tourism represents a break in the everyday life, a liminal space-time which enables liminoid experiences. In these experiences one can include a greater willingness for romance and sex, which can be the main motivators for travelling or an incidental activity, representing a continuation of regular lives, although possibly at a higher intensity. This research falls over an event where the festive environment combined to the liminoid states may contribute to enhance the availability for romance and sex. The correlation between these variables was tested using structural equation modeling with latent variables applied to 449 surveys carried out at the 29th Faro International Bike Meeting. The results suggest that bikers are motivated not only by the participation in the event, but also by the expectations of having sex and getting involved in a romance. The environment of the meeting influences the liminoid experiences which, in turn, contribute to activate sexual and romantic pleasures. Bikers are satisfied and intend to return, proving that a new market segment is rising up in the Algarve.

Author Biographies

  • Milene Gonçalves Lança, University of Algarve

    Milene Lança is Master in Sociology by the Faculty of Economics of the University of Algarve (UAlg). Currently she is PhD student in Tourism at the same institution and researcher of the Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics (CIEO). Her main research interests have been Sociology of Tourism, Sexuality, Intimacy and Consumer Behaviour. Email: mglanca@ualg.pt  

  • João Filipe Marques, University of Algarve
    João Filipe Marques, holds a PhD in Sociology by the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales of Paris. He is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Algarve where he coordinates the Sociology Master Program. He is an integrated researcher of the Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics (CIEO) and member of the Direction Board of the Portuguese Sociological Association.  His main field of research has been Racism, Ethnicity and Identity in contemporary societies. Recently his research interests shifted towards Sociology of Tourism, Leisure and Travel. Email: jfmarq@ualg.pt
  • Patrícia Susana Pinto, University of Algarve

    Patrícia Pinto holds a PhD in Quantitative Methods Applied to Economics and Management by the Faculty of Economics of the University of Algarve (UAlg). She is currently Associate Professor and Chair of the Quantitative Methods Department at the same institution. She is also the Vice-president of the Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics (CIEO). Her current research interests include applied statistics and modeling in the areas of integrated quality management in tourism destinations, events management, tourism destinations image, branding, marketing strategies, customer satisfaction and environmental behaviour. Email: pvalle@ualg.pt

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Published

31.01.2017

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Tourism/Hospitality: Research Papers

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How to Cite

Lança, M. G., Marques, J. F., & Pinto, P. S. (2017). Liminality and the possibilities for sex and romance at an international bike meeting: a structural modeling approach. Tourism & Management Studies, 13(1), 18-26. https://doi.org/10.18089/

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