Ibiza dances to the rhythm of pedals: The motivations of mountain biking tourists competing in sporting events

Abstract

Renowned worldwide for its nightlife, Ibiza has been diversifying its portfolio of tourism products by actively committing to sports tourism. The primary objective of this study is to explore the profile of the mountain bikers participating in the 2016 IBIZA BTT, a medium-sized international sporting event, taking place in the Balearic Islands, Spain. The study addresses the analysis of visitor motivations. A sample of participants (n = 499) was segmented using cluster analysis to explore the differences between segments in terms of sociodemographic and behavioral variables. A factor analysis revealed four motivational dimensions: physiological-sensory, utilitarian purposes, hedonic and previous experience. The average values indicated that route signage, good weather, and the cost of the trip were the main motivations. The cluster analysis resulted in three groups of cyclists: multipurpose seekers, utility-prestige and sensory seekers. In order to refine the group profiles, they were crossed with socio-economic and behavioral variables.

Keywords: Cycling Tourists, Cycling Motivation, Sports Events, Ibiza, Market Segmentation

JEL Classification: M39