Research Note: The Relationship Between Children's Geographical Knowledge and Travel Experience: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT

As learning is identified as a main motive for family travel, this study explores the link between children's demographic characteristics, travel experience and their geographical knowledge. Interviews were conducted with 261 children, aged 6 to 13, in nineteen schools in England. To validate the children's reports of travel experience, a questionnaire was also distributed to the parents of the participants. The analysis was conducted using simultaneous multiple regression. The results suggest a direct link between social class, age and travel experience. Unexpectedly, no link was found between travel experience and geographical knowledge. It is suggested that there is a need for further research on the effects of travel on children and specifically on the learning that results from tourist activity.

KEYWORDS:

• Children
• travel experience
• geographical knowledge

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by ESRC Research Grant No. R000235753 awarded to the third author. The authors' grateful thanks go to all the schools, teachers and children who participated in this research, and to Evanthia Lyons, Alison Bourchier, Caroline Purkhardt, Julie Barnett, Mick Finlay and Barbel Pee who all contributed to the study.