2.4.2. Consumption Decision

Apart from the effects that the variables have on the decision to participate in tourism, Nicolau and Màs (2005), Jang and Ham (2009), and Alegre et al. (2013) have found evidence of a positive relationship between higher educational levels and greater tourism expenditures. As a matter of fact, those with higher levels of education are more likely to have the chance to obtain a good job and to provide their family with the opportunities to expend more money on tourism. Thus, we propose the following hypothesis:

**Hypothesis H2a.** *The social stratum has a significant impact on the expenditure on tourist accommodation.*

In the study by Nicolau and Màs (2005), the variables of age and marital status were found to have an effect on the level of tourism expenditure. The empirical study by Alegre et al. (2013) showed that the presence of children in the household had a positive effect on tourism demand, thereby increasing the household's tourism expenditure. Therefore, we hypothesize the following:

**Hypothesis H2b.** *The family life cycle has a significant impact on the expenditure on tourist accommodation.*

The geographical location of the household is an important factor influencing tourism expenditure (Dardis et al. 1981; Hong et al. 1996; Cai 1999; Zheng and Zhang 2013). Nicolau and Màs (2005) found that a long distance between the origin and destination leads to long holidays and, in turn, to higher expenditure. It also tends to result in money being spent on accommodation. Thus, we propose the following hypothesis:
