Expenditure-based segmentation and visitor profiling at The Quays in Salford, UK

There is a substantial body of literature relating to tourism’s economic impact at the macro level, but less is known about tourist expenditure at a micro scale. This paper reports findings from a survey of day-visitor expenditure by category at The Quays in Salford, UK. Expenditure is influenced strongly by the visitor’s age, frequency of visitation and visit motivation. Heavy, medium and light expenditure segments and associated profiles are identified. ‘Heavy spenders’ are more likely to be female, in a family group and have shopping as the main motivation for the visit. The implications of the findings are discussed.