ABSTRACT

The increasingly widespread use of information and communication technologies and social media has triggered major changes in tourist behaviour in terms of the organisation of travel, the actual travel and post-travel behaviour. Through social networks travellers engage in direct contact with other travellers with similar interests in a destination. They generate more readily accessible information that facilitates the evaluation of travel alternatives during decision-making on the web. In this way, the Internet user-generated content brings security to online travellers in travel planning and purchase processes. Individual motivation to use social media is determined by the perceived benefits of said media. In this case, the functional benefits, social benefits and the enjoyment perceived in using the media have been considered as antecedents of motivation. The use of ICTs during travel has acquired greater potential in recent years and affords travellers a higher level of satisfaction in the travel experience and allows them to use social media at the same time.