Abstract: ［Purpose/Significance］Independent travelers are part of the research objects in information behavior of daily life. It is of great significance to study their information behaviors which can optimize the allocation of tourist resources, improve the tourist service and stimulate the development of both tourist industry and social economy.［Design/Methodology］By studying the independent travelers, using literature research and consulting the experts and practitioners, interviews were designed,modified,outlined and conducted.Then twenty-two samples were obtained. With the use of grounded theory, interview records were analyzed. Besides, elements and their relations were explored based upon which the information behavior model was built for independent travelers on their trip.［Findings/Conclusion］It has been found that the information needs of independent travelers could be stimulated by the tasks on their trip, which will promote them to choose information sources for information seeking, information interruption, and information communication in order to make decisions. Information behaviors of independent travelers will be influenced by tourist features, social capital, physical capital, cognitive capital, and physiological conditions.［Originality/Value］Findings in this study can be used for the interruption and prediction of independent travelers’ information behaviors on their trip, and provide theoretical guidance for the improvement of tourist information service and decision-making of independent travelers.

Keywords: Information behavior, Independent traveler, Information behavior model, Tourist information seeking, Grounded Theory