Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

 
2007 Annual International CHRIE Conference & Exposition 
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environment. The study also explores Generation Y’s perceived positive and negative impacts of tourism and if 
there is support for additional tourism development in the city of New Orleans Post-Katrina based on the model of 
support for tourism development (Perdue, Long and Allen, 1990). 
 
LITERATURE REVIEW 
Characteristics of Generation Y 
Generation Y has also been named the Net Generation, Generation Next, and the Nintendo Generation.
This generation is characterized by its deep seated social consciousness, increased technical skills, and strong 
entrepreneurial outlook (Wallace, 2001). This generation is also characterized by the desire for a clear career path 
and work-life balance (O’Mallery, 2006). Being heavily influenced by their peers, Generation Y is interested in 
brands that are popular with their age group and prefer items that can be highly customized to fit their tastes, colors, 
and feature preferences. Having come of age while witnessing events that impacted on a national and global stage 
including the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1992, the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, the September 11, 
2001 attacks, and the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, this generation has developed empathy towards others in their 
time of need. 
Unlike many people born in the boom after World War II, who viewed their parents more as authority 
figures than friends, and unlike Generation Xers, who were too cynical or alienated to bond with older people in 
authoritative roles, members of Generation
 
Y and their parents like to do things together. In addition, on civic 
matters parents often defer to their kids (Greene, 2003). Generation Y are better-traveled than young people from 
previous generations
, 
and have been exposed to the values and traditions of a larger array of cultures in school, 
college, and on the Web. 
This generation is widely viewed as upbeat about its ability to have a positive impact on the world. In 
2002, a study found that 44 percent (n=3247) of 15-to-25-year-olds had participated in a community-service or 
volunteer activity within the past 12 months, compared with 35 percent of 26-to-37-year-olds (Andolina, Jenkins, 
Keeter, Zukin, 2002). 
Generation Y has been successfully studied in the hospitality industry (Rodriguez and Gregory, 2005) in 
which the specialized training needs of this group were presented. Due to the unique characteristics of Generation Y 
and the differences of this generation to older generations, it is believed that Generation Y will have strong opinions 
towards tourism development in New Orleans.