Xiuchang Sherry Tan

Bio: Xiuchang Sherry Tan is an academic researcher from Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tourism & Advertising. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 55 citations.

The boundary condition of travel satisfaction and the mediating role of destination image: The case of event tourism:

Abstract: Planned events have been acknowledged to improve the image of a place. Although there are ample studies examining the destination image and tourist behaviors, this research focuses on the mediating...

Likable or Authentic? Perspectives of Locals and Tourists in Food Event Experience

Abstract: With the growing appetite of appreciating local gastronomy and the need of destination branding for culinary tourism, food events have become increasingly popular in many cities. Authenticity has long been recognized as one important factor to evaluate food related experience, however, the likability of food is rarely examined. The study gives a first attempt to include food likability, a hedonic perspective, together with authenticity, in evaluating food and event experience at a food festival. A valid sample of 447 event attendees was recruited from the Macao's Local Culture & Food Festival. The findings show that food likability and food authenticity significantly influence the perception of culinary event authenticity which further leads to event satisfaction. Differences between local attendees and tourists regarding food evaluation and their event experiences are also examined. Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future study are provided.

Temple keepers in religious tourism development: a case in Macao

Abstract: ABSTRACT Temples are important religious sites within Chinese societies. While there is a considerable body of work on the development of religious tourism and the monastic community, little research has been conducted on the temple keeper community in Chinese folk-religion temples. Temple keepers are those who take care of daily temple operations and offer related secular services and cultural events to pilgrims and visitors. Meanwhile, they also have direct contact, communication, and interaction with visitors. It is argued that the temple keeper community plays important roles in religious tourism development. Macao, with a large number of folk temples of rich heritage value, has been chosen as the case context. Adopting qualitative research methods, this paper explores temple keepers’ services and roles in Macao’s temple site management and visitor experience. The study identified that temple keepers have four roles, which are temple attendant, temple representative, cultural knowledge broker, and destination ambassador. Suggestions are given for temple management and local government for adaptive strategies in cultural site management and to enrich the visitor experience in the destination.

Tourism in protected areas and the impact of servicescape on tourist satisfaction, key in sustainability

Abstract: Natural areas, when protected, conserve the natural environment and function as social spaces in which tourism brings increased income, employment and financial support for conservation. In this context, the satisfaction of tourists through their experiences in the protected area (PA) is an important objective that not only depends on the PA tourist site, but also on the services that are provided. This paper addresses the impact of the service environment (servicescape) on tourist satisfaction in the context of a PA through the perceived value of a PA tourist site. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 520 tourists visiting the PA of the Natural Monument Saltos de la Damajagua in Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic). Using variance-based structural equation modelling based on the partial least squares method, facilities were identified as satisfiers, while informational services and food were perceived as dissatisfiers. The dissatisfiers are essential services and their absence/poor performance produce dissatisfaction, while improvements in the satisfiers will increase tourist satisfaction in the PA. These results have implications for the management of the PA, providing tools that can inform PA managers on how to fulfil their goals: the protection of the ecological integrity of the PA and tourist satisfaction.

Cocreation of the hospitality brand experience: A triadic interaction model:

Abstract: Although dyadic interactions among customers have widely been acknowledged to impact customer experience, the interdependence between customers and the service provider may form a symbiotic force t...

Green event directed pro-environmental behavior: an application of goal systems theory

Abstract: This research proposes the green event directed pro-environmental behavior model to articulate how green events could induce favorable eco-friendly behaviors beyond the event domain. Drawing on goa...