Showing papers in "Journal of Destination Marketing and Management in 2021"
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of social media on customer brand engagement (CBE) and their consequent impact on co-creation and revisit intention in pandemic environment were investigated. And the authors also examined the moderation impact of fear of COVID-19 and perceived risk on associations between social media, CBE, and cocreation/revisit intention, thus further contributing to existing literature.
Abstract: Applying protection motivation theory, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of social media on customer brand engagement (CBE) and their consequent impact on co-creation and revisit intention in pandemic environment. This study also examines the moderation impact of fear of COVID-19 and perceived risk on associations between social media, CBE, and co-creation/revisit intention, thus further contributing to existing literature. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to examine the data collected from key tourism-destinations in Jammu/Kashmir. The findings propose that social media positively and significantly effects the CBE, which subsequently affects co-creation and revisit intention in COVID-19 times. Second, findings found that CBE's positive impact on co-creation and revisit intention. Third, findings indicated the social media's indirect effect on co-creation and revisit intention, as mediated via CBE. Thus, social media's effect on co-creation and revisit intention are more prominent under elevated CBE in pandemics. Finally, fear of COVID-19 and perceived risk negatively moderates the linkage between social media, CBE, and co-creation/revisit intention. This study concludes with key implications arising from the analyses and further research opportunities.
134 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated how residents' perceived risk, emotional solidarity, and support for tourism were interrelated amid the pandemic and found that perceived risk was negatively associated with emotional solidarity and support of tourism, and emotional solidarity had a positive impact on support for tourists.
Abstract: Due to the spread of COVID-19 and restrictions on international travel, popular destinations around the world have experienced an influx of domestic tourists. Regardless of the economic benefits that tourists could bring, residents have expressed their concerns about the health risks that would accompany tourists. Residents are not risk-proof or risk-tolerant, but the literature to date has overlooked the relevance and importance of residents' perceived risk associated with tourists. Addressing this research gap, this study investigated how residents’ perceived risk, emotional solidarity, and support for tourism were interrelated amid the pandemic. It was found that perceived risk was negatively associated with emotional solidarity and support for tourism, and emotional solidarity had a positive impact on support for tourism. Also, emotional solidarity was a partial mediator between perceived risk and support for tourism. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed within the closing of the article.
131 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the influence of destination social responsibility on destination reputation, holidaymakers' perceived trust and their revisit intention, and investigated the moderation impact of fear arousal due to COVID-19 on the relations between visitors' revisit intention and its associated antecedents.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the influence of destination social responsibility (DSR) on destination reputation, holidaymakers' perceived trust and their revisit intention. It also tested the direct paths between destination reputation, tourists' perceived trust and revisit intention. Moreover, it investigated the moderation impact of fear arousal due to COVID-19 on the relations between visitors' revisit intention and its associated antecedents. PLS-SEM was employed to analyze the data gathered from 543 domestic holidaymakers who have recently visited tourism destinations in Egypt. The findings indicated that tourists' revisit intention is positively and significantly influenced by DSR, destination reputation and their perceived trust. Additionally, DSR is positively linked to destination reputation and visitors' trust, which in turn is positively affected by destination reputation. The results also revealed that fear arousal negatively moderates the link between destination reputation, holidaymakers’ trust and their intention to revisit. Academic and managerial implications, limitations, and directions for future studies were also presented.
131 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the capacity of Spanish domestic tourism to relieve the national travel industry crisis in the situation of a complete or significant loss of international demand, such as the one being produced by COVID-19.
Abstract: This paper attempts to evaluate the capacity of Spanish domestic tourism to relieve the national travel industry crisis in the situation of a complete or significant loss of international demand, such as the one being produced by COVID-19. The results show that though Spanish domestic tourism is expected to fall by 42.64% compared to 2019 due to the loss of income and the fear of travelling, it can still generate 33% of the pre-crisis overnight stays, assuming that 50% of outbound tourism can be reoriented to the domestic market. On the regional level, the potential of domestic tourism varies significantly and may generate from 10% of the pre-crisis overnight stays in the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands to 70% in Castille-La Mancha. This figure depends on the traditional orientation of a region's portfolio on the domestic market, the volatility of its domestic demand and the capacity to attract new segments of domestic tourists. An important novel feature of this research is the use of the value-at-risk methodology to estimate the maximum expected loss of domestic travel as a component of the tourism demand portfolio.
125 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effects of cognitive destination image shaped by media during the COVID-19 pandemic on willingness to support and post-pandemic travel intention.
Abstract: This study investigates the effects of cognitive destination image shaped by media during the COVID-19 pandemic on willingness to support and post-pandemic travel intention. Drawing upon the concept of cognitive destination image and through an online self-administered survey, the effects of four factors including trust, crisis management, healthcare system, and solidarity on travel behavioral intention are compared based on tourists’ prior experience of a given destination. To achieve this aim, ten countries with different coping strategies, numbers of positive cases and mortality rate were studied. A total number of 518 useable questionnaires were collected from the prospect international tourists who followed news related to COVID-19 for one of the selected countries and plan to travel in the future. Partial least squares – structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis were used to test the model and hypotheses. The results showed the high predictive power of the model on post COVID-19 travel behavioral intention. The findings revealed the strong and positive effects of trust and healthcare system on behavioral intention of respondents without past experience to visit a destination, whereas the effect of solidarity on behavioral intention was identified much stronger for the prospect tourists with past experience of visiting a destination. This research provides unique theoretical contributions by investigating the effects of trust, crisis management, healthcare system, and solidarity shaped by media during COVID-19 outbreak as the components of cognitive destination image on future behavioral intention across past experience of visiting a destination. This study also provides insights on post-crisis recovery factors affecting travel behavioral intention and demand.
102 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the psychological process through which the VR travel evokes flow and leads to satisfaction and visit intention, and two key attributes of VR travel, sense and information quality, were identified and found to positively influence tourists' flow experience.
Abstract: In the digital age, virtual reality (VR) has become a new tool for destination marketing. Building on flow theory and the stimuli-organism-response model, this study examined the psychological process through which the VR travel evokes flow and leads to satisfaction and visit intention. Two key attributes of VR travel, sense and information quality, were identified and found to positively influence tourists’ flow experience. Flow in VR travel consisted of multiple dimensions (telepresence, focused attention, and temporal distortion). Only telepresence and focused attention positively led to a high level of satisfaction. The former had a stronger effect than the latter. The effect of temporal distortion on satisfaction was not significant. Satisfaction with the VR tour experience also positively led to visits to the focal destination of the VR travel.
73 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the interplay of visitor engagement, authenticity, and destination image in driving revisit and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) intentions of heritage tourists through the mediating role of Memorable Tourism Experiences (MTE).
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the interplay of visitor engagement, authenticity, and destination image in driving revisit and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) intentions of heritage tourists through the mediating role of Memorable Tourism Experiences (MTE). The data for this research were collected from tourists in the UNESCO-listed heritage city of Kashan, Iran. Using a convergent parallel mixed methods approach, the study's findings highlighted the importance of MTE as a mediator of these interrelationships. The results also identified the positive direct and indirect effects of visitor engagement on revisit and eWOM intentions. The indirect effects of authenticity on revisit and eWOM intentions through MTE were also significant. The findings also showed the positive direct and indirect effects of destination image on eWOM intention, with the indirect effect on revisit intention being significant. The practical implications of the study and potential future directions for research are also discussed in the conclusion section.
72 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an Experience-Image-Satisfaction-Loyalty framework is suggested and examined in an ecotourism context, using multidimensional experience and image constructs.
Abstract: Few empirical studies have examined how post-trip destination image is shaped by tourists’ experiences. Although previous studies examined the relationships between experience, image, satisfaction and behavior, these are not fully understood, especially in ecotourism contexts, in which managing destination image can be more challenging. Consequently, an Experience-Image-Satisfaction-Loyalty framework is suggested and examined in an ecotourism context. The present study used multidimensional experience and image constructs and added ecotourism loyalty to the model, extending the previous research. The data used were collected from 375 outbound Chinese tourists on bus tours immediately after visits to a well-known Western Australian ecotourism site. Using PLS-based structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, results show that acting, fun learning, and emotional experiences had an influence on both attribute-based and holistic destination image. In addition, tourism experience had an indirect effect on loyalty (including destination loyalty and ecotourism loyalty) via the mediating effects of destination image and satisfaction. The results suggested some practical implications for ecotourism destination operators designing experiences for visitors as well as for governments and non-profit organizations attempting to promote ecotourism.
64 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the antecedents and consequences of gamification's adoption intention by tourist organizations, and examine the mediation effect of customer engagement, using structural equation modeling for data analysis.
Abstract: Gamification has been used by tourism organisations for marketing purposes to reinforce customer engagement and to achieve brand awareness and loyalty. The current study, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, aims to investigate the antecedents and consequences of gamification's adoption intention by tourist organisations, and to examine the mediation effect of customer engagement. A quantitative method was employed using a survey to collect data from a random sample of relevant managers in travel agencies. Using structural equation modelling for data analysis, the findings revealed that tourism organisations have positive intentions to adopt gamification to increase customer engagement and to achieve tourist destinations' brand awareness and loyalty. Implications, limitations, and future research are also addressed.
62 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper investigated the relationship among the pandemic, social distancing, online information search, and firm performance in the hospitality and tourism industries and developed two joint models and estimated the models using the fixed-effects method.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed individuals' daily life due to increased risk aversion, which has affected their consumption patterns and preferences. To understand the effect of the pandemic on consumer behavior through risk aversion, this study investigated the relationships among the pandemic, social distancing, online information search, and firm performance in the hospitality and tourism industries. For data analysis, we developed two joint models and estimated the models using the fixed-effects method. The results of the first model showed that social distancing triggered by COVID-19 news stories affected firm value. The second regional-level analysis revealed that the number of confirmed cases and COVID-19 news stories influenced individuals’ social distancing and online information search for tourist attractions and the changed social distancing and online search, in turn, affected the volume of online hotel reviews.
56 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a systematic literature analysis is conducted to determine the status quo of tourism governance research in the field of local residents and the analysis shows that tourism governance arrangements in destinations influence participation but frequently do not involve local residents.
Abstract: Governance offers major potential for the management of tourism destinations. Tourism governance explores the constituents of tourism destinations and focuses on providing direction and boundaries for destinations. Previous research has considered powerful actors as important partners of governance, but paid little attention to the role of local residents. This is especially relevant since the design of tourism systems is becoming increasingly important and highlights the potential to include multiple actors. Local residents feel responsible for the destination and can provide stimuli for destination design since they are concerned about local conditions and circumstances. Through enabling the participation of local residents by involving a broader community to negotiate consensus and adjust development intentions, long-term development is secured. As a result, local residents’ participation is an essential aspect of effective tourism governance. This paper builds on a systematic literature analysis in order to determine the status quo of tourism governance research in the field of local residents. This analysis shows that tourism governance arrangements in destinations influence participation but frequently do not involve local residents. It also shows that innovation-centered approaches and destination leadership provide opportunities to revitalize participation in tourist destinations. Finally, the literature analysis emphasizes that tourism governance needs to include local residents and that further research is needed in order to design participatory tourism governance arrangements.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors synthesize the literature and then identify emerging tools such as blueprinting and journey mapping which enable design solutions to better manage tourism experiences, and the implications and directions of this new moments-based paradigm for designing tourism experiences are discussed.
Abstract: Understanding the nature of tourism experiences holds the key to effectively managing tourism destinations. Research in psychology, economics, geography, marketing and, more recently, services management, offers new insight into consumer experiences which are defined by moment-to-moment and as discreet (and summarized) events. This paper synthesizes this literature and then identifies emerging tools such as blueprinting and journey mapping which enable design solutions to better manage tourism experiences. Finally, the implications and directions of this new moments-based paradigm for designing tourism experiences are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a new methodology called Smart Tourism Planning (STP) for smart tourism planning, which is supported by the Spanish National R&D&I Plan and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under grant CSO2017-82592-R.
Abstract: Work supported by the Spanish National R&D&I Plan financed by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under grant CSO2017-82592-R (“Analysis of planning processes applied to smart cities and tourist destinations. Balance and proposal of a new methodology: Smart Tourism Planning”).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the spatially varying relationship between destination attributes and COVID-19-disrupted Airbnb performance change across Florida counties and performed two experimental studies to examine whether trip purpose and the level of perceived threat affect Airbnb use intention.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation markets However, how the interplay between tourists and destination attributes has affected P2P accommodation consumption during the pandemic has not been investigated To address this gap, this study first explored the spatially varying relationship between destination attributes and COVID-19-disrupted Airbnb performance change across Florida counties Subsequently, we performed two experimental studies to examine whether trip purpose and the level of perceived threat affect Airbnb use intention The results of the spatial analysis show that, depending on the type of destination attribute, Airbnb listings experienced different revenue losses across urban and rural areas Additionally, results of experimental studies show that business tourists with a low perceived threat of COVID-19 are more willing to consume Airbnb listings than leisure tourists This study contributes to ascertaining the destination and behavioral heterogeneity in pandemic-induced P2P accommodation consumption using spatial analytic and experimental studies
TL;DR: The Smart City Hospitality Framework as mentioned in this paper is designed to stimulate collaborative reflections on overtourism and urban tourism development that could support system analyses, problem structuring and development of transition agendas and pathways within the context of turning urban tourism into a transition arena that contributes to setting in motion a sustainability transition at city level.
Abstract: This paper introduces the Smart City Hospitality Framework, which could serve as the foundation for a destination-design-driven approach to urban tourism governance and dealing with overtourism issues. This conceptual framework is purposely designed to stimulate collaborative (informed) reflections on overtourism and urban tourism development that could support system analyses, problem structuring and development of transition agendas and pathways within the context of turning urban tourism into a transition arena that contributes to setting in motion a sustainability transition at city level. It merges the dimensions of sustainable development (environmentally responsible and equitable economic development) and city hospitality (the extent to which the city acts as a good ‘host’ to all its ‘guests’, including residents and businesses). Resilience resides at its centre to highlight the temporal aspects of these dimensions, and their interdependencies. To show how this framework can serve as the foundation for destination design efforts in practice, a short description of (experiences with) serious game-playing sessions that employ its logic in six European cities is provided.
TL;DR: The contribution of culinary tourism to the socio-economic development and cultural revitalization of tourism destinations using Porter's value chain theory is examined in this paper, which adopts a qualitative research approach with an exploratory design and collects data from 71 purposively selected informants.
Abstract: Culinary tourism becomes increasingly influential in shaping visitors' decision-making and holiday experience on top of providing significant socio-cultural and economic benefits. This study examines the contributions of culinary tourism to the socio-economic development and cultural revitalization of tourism destinations using Porter's value chain theory. The study adopts a qualitative research approach with an exploratory design and collects data from 71 purposively selected informants. Research findings reveal that the proper planning, development, and management of culinary tourism promotes the economic development and socio-cultural revitalization of destinations by strengthening inter-sectorial linkages and empowering local communities. The existence of diverse agricultural products coupled with unique gastronomic heritage does not only improve the experience of visitors but also extend their length of stay. The provision of authentic culinary products also enables to manifest local culture and thereby portray a positive destination image. Several challenges including maintaining a consistent partnership between local gastronomic ingredient suppliers and the hospitality service providers hamper the successful development of culinary tourism in Amhara National Regional State. By adopting and extending the classic Porter's value chain theory, this study makes substantive theoretical contributions and practical implications about the multifaceted roles of culinary tourism in agriculturally reliant destinations. Conclusions and implications are also discussed along with study limitations and opportunities for further research.
TL;DR: In this paper, the Realms of AI Tourist Experiences, a theoretical model is developed to show the positive and negative valences of value formation through AI in tourist experiences, and helps organisations prepare and design for the future of AI-facilitated experiences in tourism destinations and wider service contexts.
Abstract: The proliferation of digital technologies has received considerable attention in the business landscape. Artificial intelligence (AI) is proclaimed as a transformative technological resource to human experiences, while concrete future scenarios of AI application within contemporary service ecosystems are only little understood. Through the theoretical lens of the service-dominant (S-D) logic and a futures methods approach, this study zooms-in on AI as a resource and sheds light on its bright and dark sides. The theoretical and practical contributions of this paper lie in bridging the S-D logic, AI and tourist experience literature. The developed theoretical model, The Realms of AI Tourist Experiences, holistically shows the positive and negative valences of value formation through AI in tourist experiences, and helps organisations prepare and design for the future of AI-facilitated experiences in tourism destinations and wider service contexts.
TL;DR: In this paper, a super-efficiency parallel framework was proposed to assess the tourism industry at both the macro level in the context of resource-oriented efficiency and the micro level in facility-oriented efficiencies.
Abstract: The current study addresses several concerns regarding World Heritage Sites (WHSs) in developing countries. Using a novel super-efficiency parallel framework, this research firstly elucidates how WHS designation impacts the tourism sector in the 21 developing nations with the greatest number of WHSs from 2000 through 2016. The proposed parallel model assesses the tourism industry at both the macro level in the context of resource-oriented efficiency and the micro level in facility-oriented efficiency. The results demonstrate that the WHS brand positively impacts the tourism demand in developing countries and can be used as a promotional tool. Secondly, this work draws attention to the socio-ecological concerns related to WHSs in developing countries. It sets out a critical and factual discussion based on the current designation and conservation status of WHSs. The analysis highlights an unfair distribution of WHSs between developing and advanced economies and reveals negligence in their preservation, since around 94% of sites labeled In Danger are located in developing nations. The study concludes that the conservation of WHSs is a complex societal problem and offers policy implications for handling heritage inscription and preservation issues in developing countries. Finally, it explores pathways toward sustainable conservation of WHSs, based on United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) for safeguarding heritage and sustainable communities (SDG 11), for more effective institutions (SDG 16), and for fair and nonhegemonic partnership between advanced economies and developing countries (SDG 17). The outcomes may be of practical value to policymakers aiming to improve tourism and heritage management.
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper explored the effect of host sincerity on tourist environmentally responsible behavior by addressing the mediating role of tourists' emotional solidarity with hosts, and found that tourists' feeling welcomed, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding partially mediated the impact of sincere social interaction on tourists' environmentally responsible behaviour.
Abstract: Although hosts generally expect tourists to protect the natural environment of destinations, scarce research focuses on the role of hosts in stimulating tourist environmentally responsible behavior (TERB). To fill this gap, the present study drew on social exchange theory to explore the effect of host sincerity on TERB by addressing the mediating role of tourists' emotional solidarity with hosts. A total of 385 questionnaires were collected from Chinese domestic tourists visiting Xiamen, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized to analyze the data. Results show that the three dimensions of tourists’ emotional solidarity with hosts (i.e. feeling welcomed, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding) partially mediated the effect of sincere social interaction on TERB but fully mediated the effect of sincere emotional response on TERB. Finally, theoretical and practical implications of the findings were discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined tourists' pro-environmental behaviors at an ecological destination through the lens of the Values-Identity-Personal norms (VIP) model and the concept of destination social responsibility (DSR) from economic, environmental, and social perspectives.
Abstract: Tourists are important destination stakeholders who mainly impact sustainable nature-based tourism destinations. While destinations promote socially responsible programs to protect the environment, tourists' engagement in pro-environmental behaviors is different. This research examined a conceptual framework to investigate tourists' pro-environmental behaviors at an ecological destination through the lens of the Values–Identity–Personal norms (VIP) model and the concept of destination social responsibility (DSR) from economic, environmental, and social perspectives. Examination of the VIP model, with a sample of 433 visitors to a nature-based destination, revealed that tourists' biospheric values, environmental self-identity, and personal norms had significant progressive relationships in influencing pro-environmental behaviors. Furthermore, a latent moderated structural equation analysis revealed that the DSR, particularly the environmental dimension, had a negative moderating effect between personal norms and pro-environmental behaviors. This finding implies that the effect of personal norms on pro-environmental behavior decreases when environmental DSR increases. This result highlights a significant role of destination environmental responsibility in impacting tourists' pro-environmental behaviors. The integrated model enhanced the predictability of pro-environmental behaviors, extending a methodological approach that improved the ability to analyze moderation effects. The findings offer managerial strategies for developing effective DSR messages to promote tourists’ pro-environmental activities.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a holistic understanding of coastal, marine, and cruise tourism sustainability, using a mixed-method approach to investigate stakeholder perceptions of the sustainability of coastal and marine tourism in cross-border regions of the Nordic coastal area.
Abstract: This study presents a holistic understanding of coastal, marine, and cruise tourism sustainability. The study uses a mixed-method approach to investigate stakeholder perceptions of the sustainability of coastal and marine tourism in cross-border regions of the Nordic coastal area. The research contributes to the existing knowledge by considering both cruise tourists’ (individual) and destination marketers’ and policymakers’ (organizational) viewpoint. The findings of the quantitative aspect of the study confirm the validity of cruise tourists’ attitudes-norms-behavior model and its importance in understanding coastal and marine sustainability. Qualitative findings underline the significance of multi-stakeholder engagement and cross-sectoral dialogue in the management of Nordic coastal and marine areas and novel cruise tourism destinations. Finally, the study conducted a thorough analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions of the importance of sustainability in coastal and marine areas, not only as it exists today but as it is forecast to be in the coming decades.
TL;DR: In this article, a novel and inclusive approach that uses different analytical techniques such as sentiment analysis and topic modeling to extract sentiments and topics of interest from tourists' conversational data on TripAdvisor from 2002 to 2019 was presented.
Abstract: User-generated content across social media platforms is playing an increasingly important role in tourism. Understanding tourists' experiences and opinions about tourism destinations has led to numerous opportunities to provide tourism providers with greater insights. Identifying sentiments, detecting topics of interest, and exploring loyalty behaviors from user-generated content can provide valuable direction for managerial decisions. This paper presents a novel and inclusive approach that uses different analytical techniques such as sentiment analysis and topic modeling to extract sentiments and topics of interest from tourists’ conversational data on TripAdvisor from 2002 to 2019. Sentiment analysis revealed that some touristic locations in Jasper National Park are outperforming others in terms of sentiment scores, despite the fact that tourists less frequently reflect on their experiences at these places on social media. Such higher rankings suggest that average sentiment score can be a more informative measure than simple TripAdvisor rankings. This paper also explores destination loyalty statements using a keyword clustering approach. Previous destination loyalty literature was used to develop a keyword list that was applied to search for expressions of loyalty in online reviews. The robustness of loyalty clusters and optimal number of clusters was also assessed prior to final analysis. Four leading loyalty-focused categories of destination offerings were observed: glaciers, waterfalls, lakes and islands, and hiking and trails. Prioritization of visitor experience enhancements relating to these loyalty-inducing destination components are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a model of the relationship between online destination brand experience (ODBE) and destination brand authenticity (DBA) and tested the moderation effect of culture (individualism/collectivism) in the relationship that ODBE shares with DBA.
Abstract: Literature that examined the relationship between online destination brand experience (ODBE) and destination brand authenticity (DBA) is limited. Considering the increased importance of brand authenticity and its benefits for the practitioners, the present study develops a model of the relationship between ODBE, DBA, affective commitment, and word-of-mouth. The study also tested the moderation effect of culture (individualism/collectivism) in the relationship that ODBE shares with DBA. Results derived from a sample of 438 respondents show that DBA fully meditates the relationship that ODBE shares with affective commitment and positive word-of-mouth. Subsequently, the analysis revealed a significant moderating role of culture (individualism/collectivism) in the relationship between ODBE and DBA. The study concludes with theoretical and managerial implications following future research directions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the role of central and peripheral information processing routes in the formation of consumers' perceptions of the helpfulness of online reviews of mature destinations and found that reviewer expertise is influential in both free and paid-for attractions, although the impact of sentiment polarity, subjectivity, pictorial content differs for both attractions.
Abstract: Tourist destinations are increasingly affected by travel-related information shared through social media. Drawing on dual-process theories on how individuals process information, this study examines the role of central and peripheral information processing routes in the formation of consumers' perceptions of the helpfulness of online reviews of mature destinations. We carried out a two-step process to address the perceived helpfulness of user-generated content, a sentiment analysis using advanced machine-learning techniques (deep learning), and a regression analysis. The database was 2023 comments posted on TripAdvisor about two iconic Venetian cultural attractions, St. Mark's Square (an open, free attraction) and the Doge's Palace (which charges an entry fee). Using deep-learning techniques, with logistic regression, we first identified which factors influenced whether a review received a “helpful” vote. Second, we selected those reviews which received at least one helpful vote to identify, through linear regression, the significant determinants of TripAdvisor users' voting behaviour. The results showed that reviewer expertise is influential in both free and paid-for attractions, although the impact of central cues (sentiment polarity, subjectivity, pictorial content) differs for both attractions. Our study suggests that managers should look beyond individual ratings and focus on the sentiment analysis of online reviews, which are shown to be based on the nature of the attraction (free vs. paid-for).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how the response factors to a 360-degree virtual tour developed a sense of presence and formed a destination image, and the results of the survey indicated that the viewers' mental imagery and engagement in response to the video influence the formation of presence, a cognitive image and an affective image of the destination.
Abstract: There is a trend for destination marketers to create a 360-degree virtual video to promote their tourist spots. This study examines how the response factors to a 360-degree virtual tour develop a sense of presence and form a destination image. Data were collected from 375 individuals after they had been sightseeing with a 360-degree virtual video of Dinghu Mountain in China. The results of the survey indicate that the viewers' mental imagery and engagement in response to the video influence the formation of a sense of presence, a cognitive image, and an affective image of the destination. Although the immersion in response influences the formation of a sense of presence and a cognitive image, it does not show a significant effect on the affective image. Moreover, the sense of presence, the cognitive image, and the affective image developed through the 360-degree virtual tour affect the viewers' feelings towards the destination. This study contributes to an understanding of the mechanism of the formation of the destination image from the psychological responses to this ‘visiting’ experience. It also provides destination marketers with valuable information regarding the design of 360-degree virtual tours for target marketing.
TL;DR: In this article, a tourist experience scale related to cultural and creative industries parks (CCIPs) is proposed, which includes seven dimensions (learning, recreation, exhibitions, service, food, facilities, and souvenirs) covering 27 items.
Abstract: This research assesses and explores the dimensionality of tourist experiences based on their visits to cultural and creative industries parks (CCIPs) This study used in-depth interviews involving the free association method along with content analysis to generate initial measurement items Next, expert opinions were solicited and exploratory factor analysis was conducted to explore the underlying structure of tourist experiences Confirmatory factor analysis was then performed to further validate the proposed measurement scale The scale includes seven dimensions (learning, recreation, exhibitions, service, food, facilities, and souvenirs) covering 27 items In addition to presenting a unique perspective on tourists' experiences, this study offers a timely framework as CCIPs become emerging travel destinations A tourist experience scale related to CCIPs is a welcome addition to the literature and can serve as a foundation for future research into tourists’ behavioral intentions Furthermore, findings are expected to shed light on potential topics and to serve as a reference in the destination planning process
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors explored five antecedents of music festival visitors' flow experience (skill performance, ambiance, self-congruence, other consumers' passion, consumer-to-consumer interaction) and two consequences (visitors' memory and behavioral intentions).
Abstract: At present, few studies have focused on the antecedents and consequences of music festival visitors' flow experience. Based on the cognitive appraisal theory, this study explores five antecedents of music festival visitors' flow experience (skill performance, ambiance, self-congruence, other consumers' passion, consumer-to-consumer interaction) and two consequences (visitors' memory and behavioral intentions) to enrich relevant research. In this study, a total of 419 visitors were investigated. All of the participants were visitors of 2019 Midi music festival, the largest music festival in China. Findings indicate that five antecedents are all positively related to visitors' flow experience, which in turn positively affects visitors' memory and behavioral intentions. Visitors' memory also has a positive effect on their behavioral intentions. In addition, the mediating role of flow experience between its antecedents and consequences was examined.
TL;DR: Wu et al. as discussed by the authors explored the connotations and components of happiness and drew on a case study to explore the factors affecting residents' happiness and its effect on tourism development.
Abstract: This paper explains the connotations and components of happiness and draws on a case study to explore the factors affecting residents' happiness and its effect on tourism development. A theoretical model linking community participation and residents' happiness with support for tourism development was developed. To test the model, questionnaires were administered to a sample of 376 residents in Wuyuan county, Jiangxi province, China. The results indicated three dimensions of residents' overall life happiness: material well-being, emotional well-being and self-development. Community participation was identified as a significant predictor of residents' life happiness in all three dimensions, and residents’ perceptions of their overall life happiness positively affected their attitudes towards tourism development. The study differentiates happiness from the similar terms (e.g. life satisfaction, quality of life) and contributes to the better understanding and measurement of happiness by highlighting the role of self-development.
TL;DR: In this paper, a method for data mining and content analysis of Instagram textual data (hashtags, comments and user profiles) is presented to foster research and comparison among social media platforms, as a way to address future directions in tourism design management.
Abstract: Local experience is a complex and subjective concept, which has moved from the simple consumption of products (e.g. local products and local activities) to a wide range of social interactions in both the real and digital world (e.g. localhood). In these times of experience economy, destinations will often compete in offering their distinctive local experiences and designing experiences has become crucial in destination management and marketing. To design and deliver local experiences, destinations need to be supported by methodological innovation and updated data sources. Social media can satisfy these requirements, because it contains user-generated content about human experiences. Nevertheless, limited research has been conducted, to date to understand the potential of social media in experience design. The purpose of this paper is to explore how user-generated content can contribute to design thinking. In agreement with the principle that ‘everyone can – and does – design’ this paper investigates local experiences in the social media environment, in which everyone can co-produce information. The paper first reviews the concepts of ‘local’ and ‘local experiences’ in the academic literature and then expands the research into the discussion of social media, investigating secondary data posted by users with #local∗ and #localexperience∗. Instagram is one of the most used platforms in the world and it was selected based on previous research conducted on local experiences. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of what and who is associated to local experiences, suggesting that social media can provide new knowledge by expanding on existing topics and introducing missing dimensions as the basis for a holistic understanding of experiences. Local experiences on Instagram are related to traveling and associated with outdoor activities and local people. The analysis reveals insights into the use of hashtags in Instagram: #localexperience∗ is largely employed by professional accounts to brand tourism activities, contrary to #local∗ which is preferred by the vast majority of users in posting everyday life images. User-generated content is presented as a resource for experience design to enhance destination marketing and management. A method for data mining and content analysis of Instagram textual data (hashtags, comments and user profiles) is presented to foster research and comparison among social media platforms, as a way to address future directions in tourism design management and to develop implications to destination management.
TL;DR: Theories on destination management, destination leadership and destination governance have made noteworthy contributions to the advancement of tourism research as discussed by the authors, however, current global dynamics in regards to political, social, technological and economic developments demand a revision of traditional methods and instruments of destination development.
Abstract: Theories on destination management, destination leadership and destination governance have made noteworthy contributions to the advancement of tourism research. However, current global dynamics in regards to political, social, technological and economic developments demand a revision of traditional methods and instruments of destination development. This paper suggests perspectives rooted in design and design thinking as a source for gaining fresh understandings of challenges in tourism destinations and for offering innovative solutions. This paper reflects on the possibility of integrating design approaches into the theorising on and practice of destination development. It explores how a transdisciplinary fusion of notions can ultimately result in a new vision for destination development.