Showing papers by "Cathy Hui-chun Hsu published in 2009"

Effects of Travel Motivation, Past Experience, Perceived Constraint, and Attitude on Revisit Intention

Abstract: This study developed and tested a structural model in examining the effects of mainland Chinese visitors' travel motivation, past experience, perceived constraint, and attitude on their intention of revisiting Hong Kong. Data were collected through telephone interviews (n = 501) in Beijing and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings indicate that one of travel motivation's underlying dimensions, shopping, positively affected Beijing tourists' revisit intention to Hong Kong; past experience, as measured by the number of prior visits and satisfaction, also positively influenced revisit intention. Disinterest was the only constraint factor significantly negating revisit intention. In addition, attitude was found to play a significant mediating role in the total effect of satisfaction on revisit intention. Results suggest that in addition to further strengthening Hong Kong's “shopping paradise” image, destination marketers and managers should promote more novel features of local attractions and ...

Culture, time orientation, and exploratory buying behavior

Abstract: This article provides researchers and practitioners with a better understanding of how consumers behave within a cross-cultural context. Literature often focuses on culture per se, but to understand consumer behavior better in a cross-cultural context, some studies have considered variables other than the key component elements of culture, encompassing families friends, society, etc. This research focuses on two slightly different variables: the perception of time and exploratory buying behavior. Within this context the first section of the paper validates the Time Style Scale and the Exploratory Buying Behavior Scale within a cross-cultural context. Results show that the Temporal Styles Scale (Usunier and Valette-Florence, 1994) is validated when using the entire dataset as well as data from an English version of the instrument. However, data collected from the Chinese version of the questionnaire does not fit the model well. The Exploratory Buying Behavior Scale (Baumgartner and Steenkamp, 1996...

Travel motivation: linking theory to practice

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant literature on travel motivation and provides a scenario‐based discussion on the applications of travel motivation theories in the industry practice. The paper offers an invaluable practical interpretation of travel motivation and related management issues.Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review on travel motivation is conducted to acknowledge the major theories. Two scenarios are presented and discussed by linking two motivation conceptual schemes, Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory and Plog's allocentrism/psychocentrism model, to practical issues in travel management.Findings – The literature review discloses that travel motivation theories have evolved over time. By linking theories to industry practice, the paper advocates that travel managers be more conscious of travelers' internal psychological needs when designing travel services/products.Originality/value – This paper offers a good understanding of travel motivat...

Interaction among fellow cruise passengers: diverse experiences and impacts

Abstract: By employing a social‐psychological approach to the study of tourist experience, the present study investigated the social interaction between fellow cruise passengers and the impact of such interaction on cruise vacation experience as perceived by the customers. Results based on content analysis of interviews and virtual focus group discussions showed that cruise passengers had diverse experiences meeting fellow passengers, which were categorized into three broad scenarios. The levels of interaction among passengers generally followed Levinger and Snoek's (1972) model of relationship development, starting from unilateral impression, through surface contact (superficial and role‐bounded interaction), to increasing mutuality (relationship beyond that demanded by externally structured role prescription). Apparently, interaction among fellow passengers only entails special meaning when it exceeds the common role script for unacquainted travelers, and interactional partners identify each other as unique indiv...

Brand knowledge, trust and loyalty - a conceptual model of destination branding

Abstract: The present study conceptualizes a destination branding model that reflects the process of tourist decision making. The model integrates key sequential concepts such as brand knowledge, brand trust, and brand loyalty. Destination brand knowledge is further defined by its constituents of brand awareness, cognitive brand image, and affective brand image. The concept of brand trust is defined in the context of risk and expectations. Brand loyalty is operationalized as behavioral intention to visit/revisit or make a referral. The conceptual model results from the systheses of literature in the fields of general branding and marketing, psychology, sociology, and consmer behavior, as well as tourism. Both theorectical and empirical works were consulted in structuring the model and specification of its various concepts. Theoretical contributions of the model are discussed.

Chinese urban mature travelers' motivation and constraints by decision autonomy

Abstract: This study investigated trip motivation of 800 Chinese mature travelers residing in metropolitan areas based on travelers' decision autonomy in planning domestic trips. A two‐step cluster analysis was conducted to segment respondents into mutually exclusive groups according to their autonomy on destination selection, financial source, and trip arrangement. An ANOVA was conducted to examine differences on motivation factors among emergent clusters. Moreover, the resultant clusters were differentiated by travel constraints (i.e., health related and socio‐demographic characteristics) using a logistic regression analysis. Significant relationships among mature travelers' trip autonomy, motivation, and constraints contributed to the understanding of urban mature travelers in China.

Regional tourism collaboration in the Pearl River Delta, China

Abstract: Macau’s gaming boom and the planned construction of the Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai (HMZ) Bridge present good opportunities for the three destinations to develop tourism. However, developing tourism without regional coordination and collaboration could result in overcapacity and cut-throat competition among HMZ and dampen the healthy growth of tourism in the region. This study investigates the HMZ tourism cooperation issue by conducting in-depth interviews with government officials, industry practitioners and tourism researchers in HMZ. The question it seeks to answer is: How should the three destinations join hands to develop the region’s tourism in a cooperative way? Based on the interviews, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analyses were conducted with a focus on HMZ’s internal relationship and threats from external competitors in tourism development. Policy recommendations that could benefit HMZ as an integrated region were made based on the analyses.