ABSTRACT
Visitor tracking studies in museum threshold spaces can reveal a surprising, complex picture. In many instances, visitors have to work hard before they start their visit and this work comes before they can enjoy their leisure time. A crucial element in understanding the visitor experience is to analyse the nature of this work as well as when and where it occurs. In the case of museums, the visitor offer would be the visitor's idea of what the museum is going to offer them. As part of the matching process, visitors construct a view and understanding of what the visit will be like for them. Visitors have to estimate both the likely investment that a visit will require and the returns of matching their own agendas when they work through the process of constructing their own visitor offer and assessing its value. For museums, visitors will need to develop and build commitment as they work through the stages of Pre-Purchase Activity.
