STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING APPLIED TO SEX, ROMANCE AND LIMINAL BEHAVIOUR IN TOURISM CONTEXT: THE CASE OF FARO INTERNATIONAL BIKE MEETING

Sex and romance are part of everyday life and therefore are part of the contemporary tourism experiences. Tourism, such as has been stressed by the literature, consists of a rupture with the everyday life – a liminal space-time which enables liminal behaviours. In these behaviours one can include a greater willingness for romance and sexual relationships. One of the dimensions of the theoretical articulation between tourism, romance and sexuality consists of the role played by these latter two dimensions in the decision of travelling and in the destination’s choice. Sex and romance may be the main motivators for travelling or, if they are not important drivers, may occur in an “accidental” way while already at the destination. This research investigates an event where the environment (e.g. the omnipresence of erotic shows), combined with the liminal experiences, may contribute to attract tourists whose main motivations are sex and romance. The correlation between these variables was tested using structural equation modeling with latent variables, applied to 449 data surveys carried out with the bikers who visited the 29th Faro International Bike Meeting, in 2010. The results suggest that bikers come motivated not only by participation in the event but also by the expectations of having sex and getting involved in a romance. These aspects have influence in the experienced environment which, in turn, has influence in the adoption of liminal behaviours. Bikers’ satisfaction is evident, as well as their intention to return, proving that a new market segment is rising up in the Algarve because of this event.