A taxonomy of hosts - Visiting friends and relatives

Research on the visiting friends and relatives market, which has increased over the last decade, has focused on the demand side (tourists), ignoring the supply side (hosts). This study fills an apparent gap in the literature by analyzing local residents' characteristics and behaviors. A taxonomy of hosts was developed to better understand their role and involvement in tourism. Random-dial, structured telephone interviews were undertaken to examine their patterns and behavior. Four types were revealed via cluster analysis based on hosting frequency and word-of-mouth behavior. Residents were further profiled using behavioral and demographic variables. Additionally, the economic impact of hosts' "tourist-like" spending was calculated.