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

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.