TOURISMOS: An International Multidisciplinary Refereed Journal of Tourism |
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Volume 10, Number 1, 2015 Creative Commons: BY-NC-ND To download Volume 10, Number 1 in
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Research Papers: AN
IMPORTANCE-PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO PENANG
ISLAND, MALAYSIA Shida
Irwana Omar, Ala`a Nimer Abukhalifeh & Badaruddin Mohamed This paper examines international visitors’
perceived importance and performance of 12 destination attributes of
Penang Island using an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). The result
was drawn from a questionnaire survey of 803 respondents who visited the
island between August and November 2012. The importance-performance
analysis grids illustrate that Penang Island performs well in six
attributes namely 1) safety and security; 2) image of destination; 3)
friendliness of the people; 4) variety of tourism attractions; 5) value
for money; and 6) accessibility to the destination. The attribute of
cultural and historical uniqueness appears to get too much concentration,
and five attributes fell into the Low Priority quadrant. Safety and
security was found to be the determining attribute for international
visitors. Implications and recommendations for Penang managers and
marketers were discussed. APPRAISAL
OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY TOURISM IN MALAYSIA A.Habibah, J. Hamzah,
A.C Er,, A.Buang & S. Selvadurai Family tourism is a
growing market even though it is understudied and unexplored in
Malaysia. Given the rising
purchasing power and quality of life among families, and little work has
been done on exploring these family friendly policies and their
implementations, this article aims to uncover to what extent that
family-friendly policies are implemented in Malaysia. This article
utilised a descriptive method with qualitative data from historical
writings, tourism reports and research findings concerning the
participation of family tourists. This study revealed that the
policies and implementations of family tourism are of different level of
concern among various stakeholders. At the national level, families are
encouraged at both explicit and implicit initiatives, while at the tourism
providers families characters are commoditised as tourism products. The
changing demand of families received attentions from the tourism providers
as well as from the governmental agencies. The setting up of a
comprehensive guideline on family-friendly destination should stand as a
competitive edge in promoting family tourism. SATISFACTION
FORMATION AND TYPOLOGY OF BAR
CUSTOMERS Angelos
Pantouvakis & Christos Patsiouras The main purposes of this study is to identify the
service features that determine overall customer satisfaction in the
entertainment industry and to suggest a satisfaction-based typology of bar
customers depending on their loyalty status. The research questions were
examined using a sample of 1,263 multinational bar customers in Greece.
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis coupled with cluster analysis
were used to examine the extent to which elements of satisfaction may be
identified and combined with loyalty rankings to segment the bar market’s
customers. The results showed support for both hypotheses and confirmed
that interactive and physical elements are antecedents of customer
satisfaction. Moreover, results found that bar customers may be segmented
into four distinct groups (enthusiastic, apathetic, peripheral and
kinetic). The bar managers may better address their customers’
requirements by choosing whether to invest in refurbishing the
establishment or better train their personnel to maximise patron
satisfaction and loyalty. EVALUATING TOURIST SATISFACTION IN ACCORDANCE TO TOUR GUIDES PERFORMANCE: HERITAGE GUIDED TOURS IN EGYPT Omneya Khairy
El-sharkawy Tourism is one of the top priorities for many
countries, because of its contribution to economy in terms of foreign
exchange earnings, creation of employment opportunities and promoting
international understanding. Furthermore, Cultural heritage tourism has
become an increasingly important factor for tourist destinations, and
cultural tourist as the one who is interested in experiencing the culture
of the destination spends money, time and other resources on a trip or
visit to receive an experience that provides psychological benefits. Happy
and satisfied customers are more likely to return and more likely to say
positive things about the service they have experienced. If tour guiding
service is a core component of heritage tour, then the tour guides (TGs)
as being a frontline employee in the tourism industry play an important
role in shaping tourist experience in a destination. This study evaluates
the relationship between tour guide (TG) performance and tourist’s
satisfaction in terms of psychological, spiritual and practical content
during heritage guided tours in Egypt. A questionnaire was distributed
among 200 tourists of different nationalities. Results derived from the
respondents showed that (TG) performance affects tourist experience. For a
satisfied tourist transmits his/her positive experience (word of mouth) to
third persons as well as repeating his/her visit. Finally the study ends
up by a set of recommendations for TGs to consistently emphasize a
creative approach in order to maintain high standards of TG
performance. TRAINING OR VACATION? THE ACADEMIC CONFERENCE TOURISM Cleopatra Veloutsou
& Chrisovalantis Chreppas The current study concentrates on factors affecting
the intentions of academics attending an academic conference. It
highlights the importance of academic conferences and academic conference
tourism and discusses meetings, the convention industry and also their
utility in the career development of academics. Through qualitative
research and a review of the literature on conference tourism push and
pull motivation factors are suggested. The power of these factors to
predict the intention to attend an academic conference is examined through
quantitative research and regression analysis. The results indicate that
‘pull’ factors are better predictors of the intention to attend an
academic conference than motivational ‘push’ factors.
THE ENRICHMENT OF TOUR OPERATORS’ PRODUCT BY INCORPORATING
SUSTAINABLE ELEMENTS. A TOURISM AND TRAVEL MARKETING APPROACH Ourania Vitouladiti
The tour operators offering their services in
established and traditional tourism destinations for a long time face the
issue of the lack of sustainable elements in their holiday packages and
their focus is mostly on the classic 3S model. However, either their
target markets or the needs of destinations for sustainable approaches
push for the enrichment of the offered packages. Therefore, this paper
studies the potential for enrichment of classical tour packages by
incorporating components of the destinations natural and cultural
resources. To recognize these elements research has been conducted on the
impressiveness of natural and cultural resources. The results indicate not
only the potential for product enrichment with unused, till now, elements
but also suggest the creation of new packages for targeted markets. Facts
that are positive for both the tour operators and the prosperity of the
destination. PERCEIVED
ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST AS AN ANTECEDENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP
BEHAVIOUR: FINDINGS FROM LODGING ENTERPRISES IN
TURKEY Ozgur
Devrim Yilmaz Two concepts that have just made their way into
research on management of tourism enterprises are perceived organizational
trust (POT) and organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB). Trust and
citizenship behaviours of employees have become a central variable in
regard to the well-being of organizations. Although the studies of these
subjects have increased markedly in the past decade little effort has
spotlighted on the relationship between POT and OCB from the point of
tourism sector. Therefore in this study the relationship between POT and
OCB is examined in Turkey with 412 participants. The analyses found
support for 7 hypotheses, including support for a strong relationship
between POT and OCB. Contrary to expectations, there were no significant
differences between some dimensions of OCB and POT. By the help of
findings it is expected to contribute to the theoretical studies in the
field of tourism.
TOURISM MARKET
RESEARCH IN SPANISH HIGHER EDUCATION: ETYMOLOGICAL ISSUES
Jesus
Manuel Lopez-Bonilla & Luis Miguel Lopez-Bonilla
Tourism market research appears to have increased
its academic presence with the introduction of the new university degree
in Tourism in Spain. The term tourism market research is widely accepted.
However, there is some controversy regarding the use of the terms of
market research and commercial research. In some cases, conceptual
differences are posed between the two terminologies, while in other cases,
a greater equity is advocated. We try to understand the basis of these
differences, concluding that the two terminologies have their own
limitations, so it would be advisable to use a more appropriate and
enlightening term. Research Case Studies: Public
Perception on Promoting Sustainable Ecotourism at Gunung Reng Area, Jeli
District, Kelantan, Malaysia Nor Fadilah M.A., Menti Saysa H., Nur Amalina
A.K., Amal Najihah M.N. & Dony Adriansyah N. Gunung Reng area is one
of interesting places in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. It is located in
Batu Melintang sub-district, along the East-West Expressway in Jeli
district in the northwestern corner of Kelantan. Though the local people
designated Gunung Reng as a ‘gunung’ (the Malay word for ‘mount’), it is
not a mount in the true definition but it is actually a mogote hill
towering above the flat alluvial topography. This study is to discuss the
public perception on promoting sustainable ecotourism at this area. This
study was carried out by distributing 30 questionnaires to different
respondents which consist of local government staff, local communities and
visitors (foreign and domestic) to see their perception on the attitude,
awareness, and the way to conserve this ecotourism sites ACHIEVING AUTHENTICITY
THROUGH ETHNIC TOURISM, A CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE
Nashwa
M. Talaat Ethnic tourism is considered a unique type of
tourism since it enables the tourist to experience and learn about other
cultures through their traditions, customs lifestyle and practice.
Authenticity is an important concept in ethnic tourism studies. This
article examines tourists' participation in ethnic attractions and
products, and the levels of satisfaction with their experiences based upon
empirical research conducted in number of Nubian villages which still
exist north of the Dam. Field research was done through visiting,
interviewing some of the local people and observing their lifestyle. A
survey of 600 visitors to Nubian villages was also conducted, only 560
questionnaires were valid to analysis out of which 89.2% was international
and 10.8% was domestic. The study finds out that authenticity is a major
concern among international tourists. Although it was the first experience
for large number of tourists but they have different reasons for getting
through this experience. TOURISM VERSUS THE
VISITOR ECONOMY AND THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE OF DESTINATION MANAGEMENT
Deyan
Hristov This paper attempts to
explore the emerging concept of the visitor economy, by linking it to
recent changes in tourism governance on a destination level, influenced by
complex global and regional politico-economic factors. A regional outlook
reflecting on England as an exemplar of a shifting destination management
is introduced and provides the basis of investigation. Particular
attention is given to the new model of destination management in England
and its prospective role in realising the benefits of the emerging visitor
economy. Secondary data sources in the form of destination management
strategies and industry reports have been explored and informed the
discussion of the two evolving concepts – destination management on a
local level and the multifaceted visitor economy. Outcomes of the analysis
suggest that further enquiry into the blurred visitor economy concept is
imperative, particularly in times of organisational restructuring,
changing destination management priorities and increased
competition. SECOND HOME TOURISM
AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
S. Zahra Mirani & Banafsheh M.
Farahani Second home tourism is one of the patterns of
tourism development especially in rural and mountainous areas that is
obtained through ownership of second homes (bungalows or holiday homes).
World's economic, social and cultural developments after the Second World
War, with improving communication and transportation, increased leisure
time. The possibility of allocating some part of revenue for unnecessary
affaires caused the spread of rural tourism and consequently the
popularity of second homes in the western world and many other countries.
This paper introduced the second homes, their emergence and spread in all
around the world, their geographical and spatial analysis and the
importance of rural development, and then it investigated the role of
second home tourism in rural development and their tourism development
implications in all the environmental, economic, and social aspects. At
last Sustainable development of rural tourism strategies was
examined. Research Notes: THE IMPACT OF SANCTIONS ON DESTINATION IMAGE TOURISM OF
IRAN Hamid Akbarnataj & Mohammad
Mirtaghyian In current situation
where Iran is struggling to get through consecutive sanctions, developing
tourism industry and attracting foreign tourist and also the use of the
exchange rate and low values of Rial can be a viable solution strategy.
Iran can be a cheap destination for countries with high currency value
which can be a successful factor in attracting tourism from other
countries. Placed among the first ten countries with cultural and natural
attractions, distinct hospitality and delivering cheaper services compared
to other destinations are the main factors which can be used in creating a
destination brand for Iran. On this basis, relying on real advantage of
its unique attractions is much better than creating artificial spaces and
short-term booms. The present study investigated the brand image of
tourism in Iran, before and after the sanctions. Data are gathered using
5-point Likert scale in a questionnaire and results in the analysis and
conclusions are presented.
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