Travel Decisions and Behaviors of Chinese Families Who Visited Space Center Houston

This qualitative study was conducted to explore the pattern of travel decision-making and behaviors of Chinese scholars and students living in College Station who visited the Space Center Houston (SCH). There were 7 participants. Interviews and content analysis were used in this study. We designed 18-item questionnaire to allow for 45- to 60-minute interviews which permitted probes and follow-up questions raised by the respondents that the researchers did not think about when planning the study. It was found that generally Chinese families made their travel decision 3-4 days prior to the visit, their purpose of visiting the SCH was mostly for children to enhance their knowledge, often they prepared poorly for the visit, little purchase behavior was shown, and they were satisfied with the experience in the SCH. Implications were also provided concerning theoretical and practical contributions and future research.