Genç, R.2024-07-182024-07-18201297894007228809789400722873https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2288-0https://hdl.handle.net/11411/6780Through the consumption of satisfactory services and products in tourism and other service industries, tourists may enhance their subjective well-being and quality-of-life (QOL). This chapter attempts to investigate the dynamic interaction between demographic, psychological, social and cultural factors, tourism experience, and QOL. Demographic variables include the age, gender, nationality, and social status of the tourist. Psychological factors are explained in terms of self-image, self-consistency motive, and social acceptance on tourism behavior. Tourists look for destinations and experiences which are congruent with their ideal self-image; they tend to see themselves consistent and be with others similar to them. Tourism choices should also be considered an activity through which identity and self is constructed and consolidated. Tourist motivation is another concept which influences the expectations prior to the travel and modifies tourist preferences, choice processes, and satisfaction. Considering tourist behavior as a whole, it can be implied that people can accumulate positive experiences and good social relationships which contribute to an increase in QOL. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessBook Chapter2-s2.0-84872729265148N/A135