When Americans and Canadians visit a city: cross-cultural contrasts in sources of tourist satisfaction

Abstract

<p>What aspects of the big city determine whether visitors to a city will come away with pleasant emotions and memories? The premise of this empirical study of 500 visitors to Toronto is that sources of tourist satisfaction are culture-dependent. American visitors are thrilled or disenchanted on the basis of their ability to walk and stroll about, the city's scenic beauty, opportunities for self-indulgence and standards of accommodation. Canadian visitors are less affected by such aspects than by the friendliness and helpfulness of locals, safety from crime, and social relationships. These distinctions arise from basic differences in national character.</p>