Showing papers in "Journal of Travel Research in 2007"
TL;DR: This article developed a measurement scale tapping Pine and Gilmore's (1999) four realms of experience that is applicable to lodging and tourism research across various destinations, focusing on the bed-and-breakfast industry.
Abstract: The authors develop a measurement scale tapping Pine and Gilmore's (1999) four realms of experience that is applicable to lodging and, potentially, tourism research across various destinations. Focusing on the bed-and-breakfast industry, the authors conducted preliminary qualitative studies and a subsequent field survey to collect data from bed-and-breakfast owners and guests to develop and test a proposed model of experience economy concepts. The proposed measurement model includes four realms of experience and four theoretically justifiable nomological consequences. The data supported the dimensional structure of the four realms of experience, providing empirical evidence for both face and nomological validities of these realms and a starting point for measuring emerging experience economy concepts and practices within lodging and tourism settings. The authors discuss ways the measurement scale can be further refined for adoption by destination marketers and directions for future research.
1,301 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive conceptualization of destination image comprising its intricate relationships with several other factors on the supply and demand sides of the market has yet to emerge as discussed by the authors, and it was concluded that there are still many facets of this complex construct yet to be investigated empirically.
Abstract: Destination image is commonly accepted as an important aspect in successful tourism development and destination marketing due to its impact on both supply- and demand-side aspects of marketing. Despite the ample amount of literature, a comprehensive conceptualization of destination image comprising its intricate relationships with several other factors on the supply and demand sides of the market has yet to emerge. In this study, a large body of literature on destination image and related concepts is reviewed and a comprehensive conceptualization of destination image is modeled. It was concluded that there are still many facets of this complex construct yet to be investigated empirically.
824 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored travel blogs as a manifestation of travel experience and found that travel blogs are an inexpensive means to gather rich, authentic, and unsolicited customer feedback, and that bloggers were communicating about their travel experiences using semantic network analysis and content analysis methods.
Abstract: This study explores travel blogs as a manifestation of travel experience. Visitor opinions posted on leading travel blog sites were analyzed to gain an understanding of the destination experience being manifested. Travel blogs on Charleston, South Carolina, were collected through the three most popular travel blog sites and three blog search engines. Blogs were analyzed using semantic network analysis and content analysis methods to ascertain what bloggers were communicating about their travel experiences. Results revealed that major strengths of the destination were its attractions: historic charm, Southern hospitality, beaches, and water activities. Major weaknesses included weather, infrastructure, and fast-service restaurants. Qualitative results demonstrated that travel blogs are an inexpensive means to gather rich, authentic, and unsolicited customer feedback. Information technology advances and increasingly large numbers of travel blogs facilitate travel blog monitoring as a cost-effective method f...
749 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the potential implications of climate change for global tourism, with special emphasis on seasonality, and showed that the locations of climatically ideal tourism conditions are likely to shift poleward under projected climate change.
Abstract: Tourism is a climate-dependent industry, and many destinations owe their popularity to their pleasant climates during traditional holiday seasons. This article explores the potential implications of climate change for global tourism, with special emphasis on seasonality. Combination of two climate change scenarios with the Tourism Climatic Index reveals that the locations of climatically ideal tourism conditions are likely to shift poleward under projected climate change. Whereas destinations such as the Mediterranean may see shifts in their peak seasons from summer months to current shoulder periods, regions in higher latitudes are likely to experience a lengthening of their summer seasons. The effects of these changes will depend greatly on the flexibility demonstrated by institutions and tourists as they react to climate change, with substantial implications for both spatial and temporal redistribution of tourism activities. The reader is referred to http://www.carrs.msu.edu/Main/People/faculty%20bios/...
514 citations
TL;DR: The role of tourism promotion as a component of destination image formation is examined in this paper, where 1,100 respondents from around the globe described their previsit perceived image of seven sample destinations, as well as the information sources they used.
Abstract: This article examines the role of tourism promotion as a component of destination image formation. It reports the findings of a study in which 1,100 respondents from around the globe described their previsit perceived image of seven sample destinations, as well as the information sources they used. The findings suggest that tourism promotion does not have a major impact upon the perceptions of travelers and that other sources of information have a much greater bearing on the formation of destination image. As a result, tourism authorities need to understand that successful tourism promotion is dependent on a broad range of external influences. At the same time, the impact of marketing communication decisions on measurables such as revenue, market share, and costs must be carefully assessed.
422 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the feasibility of using the World Travel and Tourism Council's Competitiveness Monitor (CM) as an explanatory model for tourism destination competitiveness and found that it tends to better explain the levels of tourism activity already achieved than sustained tourism growth.
Abstract: This article contributes to the recent literature on tourism destination competitiveness including the gargantuan compilations of competitiveness factors by Ritchie and Crouch (2003), or Dwyer and Kim (2003), and, particularly, the widely known prototype of a Competitiveness Monitor (CM) initiated by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) The central question underlying this article is whether an arrangement of data such as the CM can be transformed from a purely definitional system into an explanatory model A number of criticisms regarding the way of constructing the CM, its epistemological nature, and the absence of any accessibility factors lead to a moderately revised system that is explored by latent variable modeling The empirical findings support this type of model, which tends to better explain the levels of tourism activity already achieved than sustained tourism growth A discussion of the detailed results produces several recommendations on how to adjust the future strategy of research
391 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a unified framework of commonly used Web site success factors emerged from the analysis and included a total of nine factors: (1) information quality; (2) ease of use; (3) responsiveness; (4) security/privacy; (5) visual appearance; (6) trust; (7) interactivity; (8) personalization; and (9) fulfillment.
Abstract: Destination marketing organizations invest considerable amounts of money in the development of Web sites as part of their overall promotion efforts. With increasing pressure on their budgets, it becomes ever more important for these organizations to assess the effectiveness of their Web sites, evaluate the return on their investments, and derive feedback on necessary improvements. Web site evaluation measures have been proposed in many ways and various contexts over the past decade. The study presented in this article used a qualitative meta-analysis methodology to synthesize the diverse findings. A unified framework of commonly used Web site success factors emerged from the analysis and included a total of nine factors: (1) information quality; (2) ease of use; (3) responsiveness; (4) security/privacy; (5) visual appearance; (6) trust; (7) interactivity; (8) personalization; and (9) fulfillment. Additional factors to further inform Web evaluation efforts were identified based on Werthner and Klein's dime...
387 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined the role of cognitive and affective destination-image components in the formation of destination preferences from a multialternative/multi-attribute perspective and found that while some image attributes are universally important, other attributes are only important for specific types of destinations.
Abstract: This study examines the role of cognitive and affective destination-image components in the formation of destination preferences from a multialternative/multiattribute perspective. In addition, the study examines the stability of those roles across three types of destinations. A total of 1,020 Taichung residents in Taiwan were administered an on-site questionnaire. The results indicated that cognitive and affective components of overall destination image influence tourists' destination preferences and that cognitive image impacts affective image. However, the importance of the two image components varied across natural, developed, and theme-park destinations. In addition, the findings confirmed that while some image attributes are universally important, other attributes are only important for specific types of destinations. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are provided.
387 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between visitors' perceived service quality, perceived service value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions of attending the Cajun Catfish Festival in Conroe, Texas.
Abstract: This study is an examination of the relationships between visitors' perceived service quality, perceived service value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Respondents were visitors who attended the Cajun Catfish Festival in Conroe, Texas and were systematically selected. Findings revealed that: (a) a structural model operationalizing perceived service quality as a set of attributes predicted visitors' intention to visit the festival better than an alternative model that measured quality by using a visitor's judgment about a service's overall excellence or superiority; (b) among the constructs analyzed, perceived service value appeared to be the best predictor of behavioral intentions; and (c) of the four dimensions of service quality of a festival, generic features and comfort amenities had the most influence on determining perceived service quality.
359 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyze the contribution of corporate governance theories to the explanation of destination governance structures and evolution, using six selected dimensions of Corporate Governance, and the operationalization through concrete items, to analyze and assess twelve destinations in the Swiss Alps.
Abstract: This article adds to the ongoing debate on the performance of corporate-based versus community-based destination management models. New forms of integrated, centrally managed destinations challenge the business models of traditional, historically grown destinations driven by decentralized ownership. This article analyzes the contribution of corporate governance theories to the explanation of destination governance structures and evolution. The research uses six selected dimensions of corporate governance, and the operationalization through concrete items, to analyze and assess twelve destinations in the Swiss Alps. Various destination governance forms and mechanisms reveal the context for conditions for success.
322 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a model explaining the effect of tourism services on the quality of life (QOL) of travelers and found that overall life satisfaction is determined by satisfaction within the major life domains, including leisure life.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop a model explaining the effect of tourism services on the quality of life (QOL) of travelers. The model posits that overall life satisfaction is determined by satisfaction within the major life domains, including leisure life. Satisfaction experienced with life events within the leisure domain “spills over” upward vertically to the most superordinate domain (life in general), thus influencing life satisfaction. Satisfaction with aspects of services plays a significant role in determining overall satisfaction with travel/tourism services, which in turn plays an important role in satisfaction in the leisure domain. Furthermore, the model posits that these relationships are moderated by length of stay. A survey of travelers confirmed this model.
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of 480 tourists was conducted adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Australia to gather data about the destination image attributes of two regional destinations that were branded by a state destination marketing organization.
Abstract: Destination branding is growing rapidly as an approach to tourism destination promotion. While this concept has been borrowed from the world of general consumer goods and applied in a number of national tourism destinations, academic analysis of the value and effectiveness of destination branding has emerged more slowly. The present article addresses this paucity of academic scrutiny by examining the value of the destination brand personality construct in distinguishing between two regional tourism destinations. A survey of 480 tourists was conducted adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Australia to gather data about the destination image attributes of two regional destinations that were branded by a state destination marketing organization. The results indicated that tourists were able to articulate different destination brand personalities for each region. The results also indicated that more work might need to be done to adapt existing frameworks of brand personality to the tourism context.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the effect of some basic environmental elements on visitors to heritage sites, illustrating that the heritage attraction's physical environment plays an important role in determining both visitors' attitude toward the heritage attractions and future repatronage intentions, as well as their willingness to recommend the experience to friends and relatives.
Abstract: The popular press is replete with articles discussing the various remodeling efforts afoot in many of the prominent heritage attractions worldwide. Undoubtedly, museum curators have acknowledged the tremendous role external surroundings can play in the overall experience of the heritage visitor. This study investigates the effect of some basic environmental elements on visitors to heritage sites, illustrating that the heritage attraction’s physical environment plays an important role in determining both visitors’ attitude toward the heritage attraction and future repatronage intentions, as well as their willingness to recommend the experience to friends and relatives. The study findings indicate that environmental cues can be used as a differential tool to perpetuate brand meaning and uniqueness in the minds of the consumer, thereby creating a competitive advantage for the heritage attraction.
TL;DR: This paper explored risk perceptions of 579 Israeli students who were backpackers and found that perceptions of risk involved in the backpacking experience vary across the individual's characteristics, such as gender, past back-packing experience, and preference for fellow travelers.
Abstract: While backpacking is often associated with a propensity for risk-taking, the literature lacks quantitative analyses of backpackers' perceived risk. The current study attempts to fill this gap by exploring risk perceptions of 579 Israeli students who were backpackers. The study findings indicate that perceived risk of the backpackers' experience is a multidimensional phenomenon, which includes factors of risk similar to those mentioned in both the consumer behavior literature and in studies on perceived risk in tourism. This finding supports the thesis that backpacking is becoming more institutionalized and less distinct from conventional mass tourism. In addition, the study reveals that perceptions of risk involved in the backpacking experience vary across the individual's characteristics, such as gender, past backpacking experience, and preference for fellow travelers. This is congruent with the contemporary notion of backpacking as a heterogeneous tourist experience.
TL;DR: In this article, a model of collaborative marketing is proposed that integrates the preconditions, motivations, processes, and outcomes of destination marketing alliances and networks based upon theories of interorganizational relations.
Abstract: Marketing a destination has been a challenging task for many communities that rely on tourism for economic development. Collaborative marketing efforts of the tourism organizations representing the destination provide solutions to this challenge. This article develops an integrative theoretical framework in an attempt to explore the nature and dynamism of collaborative marketing efforts at the destination level. Specifically, a model of collaborative marketing is proposed that integrates the preconditions, motivations, processes, and outcomes of destination marketing alliances and networks based upon theories of interorganizational relations. Implications are provided and discussed from both practical and theoretical perspectives.
TL;DR: This article examined motivations of farm tourism operators throughout Australia using both qualitative and quantitative methods and found that social and economic motivations are marginally more important overall than economic motivations for most operators, however, both are important; and different motivations are dominant for different types of farm landholders and at different stages in farm, family and business lifecycles.
Abstract: Farm tourism enterprises combine the commercial constraints of regional tourism, the nonfinancial features of family businesses, and the inheritance issues of family farms. They have theoretical significance in regional tourism geography and economics, family tourism business dynamics, and rural diversification. We examined motivations of farm tourism operators throughout Australia using both qualitative and quantitative methods. In contrast to Europe and the United States, social motivations are marginally more important overall than economic motivations. For most operators, however, both are important; and different motivations are dominant for different types of farm landholders and at different stages in farm, family, and business lifecycles. For some families, tourism is a critical component of income streams to keep the current generation on the family property and provide opportunities for succeeding generations. For others it combines social opportunities with retirement income. Tourism, agricultu...
TL;DR: This paper explored nine tourists' experiences traveling along the Route 66 National Historic Corridor, using methodological techniques of in-depth active interviewing, personal reflection, narrative inquiry, and photo elicitation in order to evaluate the explanatory power of nostalgia theory in this context.
Abstract: Many scholars have criticized the phenomenon of heritage tourism, arguing that it is driven by nostalgia, the desire on the part of heritage tourists to relive a glorified, misremembered version of the past; however, few studies have examined the actual experiences of heritage tourists. Employing a framework of heuristic inquiry, this study explores nine tourists' experiences traveling along the Route 66 National Historic Corridor, using methodological techniques of in-depth active interviewing, personal reflection, narrative inquiry, and photo elicitation in order to begin to evaluate the explanatory power of nostalgia theory in this context. Study participants identified various meaningful elements of their travel experiences, including historical education, interaction with diverse landscapes, interaction with hosts, and personal growth; however, their experiences did not appear to be characterized by nostalgia, as it is conceptualized in the tourism literature. The study thus emphasizes the importance...
TL;DR: In this article, a conceptual model of travel planning was developed from case-based vacation planning theory to understand the relationship between travel information search and product purchase behaviors by examining online and offline information search.
Abstract: This study adds to understanding the relationships between travel information search and product purchase behaviors by examining online and offline information search and purchase behaviors. A conceptual model of travel planning was developed from case-based vacation planning theory. Results indicated travel information search and product purchase commitments in the pretrip stage are different, travel information search and product purchase vary by travel product categories in the pretrip stage, and travel experiences influence travel information search and product purchase for certain travel products in the pretrip stage. This study suggests that travel-planning theory is strong in explaining complex travel behaviors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the relationship between the DMO, charged with crafting and executing destination promotion, and its two most powerful stakeholders, the city (or urban government) and hotels (or accommodation sector).
Abstract: At the heart of urban tourism promotion lies a triad of powerful players—the city, the hotels, and the destination marketing/management organization (DMO). This article explores the relationships between the DMO, charged with crafting and executing destination promotion, and its two most powerful stakeholders—the city (or urban government) and hotels (or accommodation sector). Empirical insights are derived from an examination of three major North American city destinations. In each setting, in-depth key informant interviews were conducted with leaders of each member of the triad (the city, the hotels, and the DMO). The triad is found to be asymmetrical with each member bringing a unique and complementary resource. The extent to which members of the triad can effectively relate to one another and combine their complementary resources is posited to be an important determinant of success in destination promotion.
TL;DR: In this article, a 3 × 3 factorial experimental design is employed to examine the effects of pictures and text as advertising stimuli to evoke elaborate consumption visions among the participants within the context of holiday decision making.
Abstract: Two imagery-evoking strategies are examined to determine their effectiveness in producing an elaborate consumption vision. Specifically, a 3 × 3 factorial experimental design is employed to examine the effects of pictures and text as advertising stimuli to evoke elaborate consumption visions among the participants within the context of holiday decision making. A MANOVA revealed a main effect for each of the two stimuli. The presence of more concrete pictures contributed to the extent of elaboration and the quality of consumers' consumption visions. Furthermore, the addition of concrete words together with instructions to imagine increased the elaboration and quality of the consumption vision. A significant interaction effect between the picture and text variables demonstrated that combining instructions to imagine with concrete pictures is the most efficacious strategy. The article discusses the implications of the findings for theory as well as offering an application of the results for tourism destinati...
TL;DR: This paper used canonical correlation analysis to examine the relationship between two sets of variables that can be used in evaluating a travel destination, and found that a portion of the variance in destination evaluation can be attributed to previous travel experience and trip characteristics.
Abstract: This study uses canonical correlation analysis to examine the relationship between two sets of variables that can be used in evaluating a travel destination. The first set is composed of five variables that are referred to as previous travel experience and trip characteristics. These five variables include two measures of previous travel experience (number of countries visited, number of countries visited for pleasure) and three trip characteristics (length of stay, number of people in the travel party, and travel mode). The second set of variables consists of four criterion variables referred to as destination evaluation variables. These variables (satisfaction, service quality, value, and likelihood to return) are used to evaluate the travel destination. Results of the study indicated that a portion of the variance in destination evaluation can be attributed to previous travel experience and trip characteristics.
TL;DR: In this article, it is argued that the promotion of urban tourist destinations requires a citywide integrated management approach based on governance principles and strategic vision of competitiveness, and that tourist cities should be redefined to creating a city appeal that is aspiring to all stakeholders.
Abstract: This article outlines basic concepts, issues, and key challenges to competitive and sustainable urban tourist destinations. Given the complex nature of cities, it is argued that the promotion of urban tourist destinations requires a citywide integrated management approach based on governance principles and strategic vision of competitiveness. The discussion in the article centers on global challenges, a review of the literature, and an assessment of emerging trends, needs, and opportunities for city destinations. There is a focus on key constructs promoted by the First World Forum of Urban Tourism in 2005: competitiveness, sustainability, value, and quality. New paradigms of successful destination management are defined with regard to a conceptual approach to competitiveness, cultural heritage tourism, city branding, visitor perception, and urban quality of life. A conclusion is made that promotion of tourist cities should be redefined to creating a city appeal that is aspiring to all stakeholders—tourist...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of a study examining cultural differences between Asian and Western tourists' perceptions of relational quality service provided by guest-contact employees in Hong Kong.
Abstract: This article presents the results of a study examining cultural differences between Asian and Western tourists’ perceptions of relational quality service provided by guest-contact employees. It was hypothesized that Asian tourists (high power distance cultures) will give significantly lower ratings for relational quality when compared to their Western counterparts (low power distance cultures). Based on a study of international tourists visiting Hong Kong, it was found that Asian tourists gave significantly lower ratings for all the relational quality service attributes compared to their Western counterparts. In a logistic regression analysis using respondents’ favorable or unfavorable service experiences as the dichotomous dependent variable, quality of interpersonal relationships was a key factor in determining the Asian customers’ service-encounter evaluation, while Western customers placed emphasis on goal completion, efficiency, and time savings. The implications of the results on cultural training f...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the Internet's effect as a new distribution channel on traditional retail travel agencies and evaluated the opportunities it offers them, dispelling the idea that it is a threat.
Abstract: The development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has had profound effects in goods and services marketing. In particular, the advent of electronic commerce has forced companies to face new types of competition and customer relationship management to survive in markets. This study analyzes the Internet's effect as a new distribution channel on traditional retail travel agencies and evaluates the opportunities it offers them, dispelling the idea that it is a threat. The effect of ICTs on customers' trust is also examined, and the results open ways to improve the management of business relationships with customers.
TL;DR: In this paper, community residents define a broad range of places shared with tourists at an alpine destination, including attractions, dining and lodging establishments, retail offerings, transportation settings, and support services.
Abstract: A tourism destination can be viewed as an amalgamation of places generating experiences. From a cultural perspective, places serve as storehouses of meanings that capture value in use and frame expectations for experiences. This article explores how community residents define a broad range of places shared with tourists at an alpine destination. The 19 places under investigation included attractions, dining and lodging establishments, retail offerings, transportation settings, and support services. The places were monitored in terms of their normative meanings using hedonic, utilitarian, novelty, and social variables. In addition, three consumption characteristics provided information on the nature of the experiences at the places. Conclusions are drawn as to the nature of each place and the array of experiences provided by the destination.
TL;DR: This article conducted a choice experiment on a random sample of Australian consumers to assess how each category of discretionary expenditure is valued and how spending in each category competes for a share of the discretionary expenditure "pie".
Abstract: Consumers’ decisions to spend money on tourism occur in the context of the other potential uses of their resources and corresponding values or utilities. Although many studies have examined the demand for travel and tourism, there is no known study that reveals how individuals and households make trade-offs when allocating their spending among various potential categories of discretionary expenditure. This study assesses these trade-offs empirically through the conduct of a choice experiment on a random sample of Australian consumers. The results provide insight into how each category of discretionary expenditure is valued and how spending in each category competes for a share of the discretionary expenditure “pie.” We discuss the results with an emphasis on the implications for tourism.
TL;DR: In this article, an approach for examining tourist-destination travel mode choices and forecasting the resulting environmental impact of those selections is presented. And the authors suggest that innovative transportation-management strategies can encourage tourists to use public-transit modes rather than private or rental vehicles to access tourism destinations.
Abstract: This article outlines an approach for examining tourist-destination travel mode choices and forecasting the resulting environmental impact of those selections. Using the tourism destination of Whistler, British Columbia, as a case study, the article initially describes a discrete-choice experiment (DCE) used to estimate tourist mode-choice behavior under different transportation-planning scenarios. It then incorporates the DCE findings into a technical, bottom-up energy-use model to create behaviorally shaped estimates of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest that innovative transportation-management strategies can encourage tourists to use public-transit modes rather than private or rental vehicles to access tourism destinations. The modal shifts caused by these initiatives can significantly affect the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with land-based visitor travel. The findings contribute to the growing theoretical and applied strategies needed t...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate how selected environmental consequences of tourism consumption relating to carbon emissions and waste can be quantified using a tourism satellite account (TSA), and an environmental module associated with an input-output framework.
Abstract: This article demonstrates how selected environmental consequences of tourism consumption relating to carbon emissions and waste can be quantified using a tourism satellite account (TSA), and an environmental module associated with an input-output framework. We move beyond the basic identification of the environmental effects of tourism consumption and seek to measure them. We show the types of information that can be derived from the framework, the applicative difficulties of reconciling tourism consumption to environmental outcomes, and explore the practical usage of the framework adopted. We believe that steps taken in the case to examine selected environmental effects of tourism consumption have a universal relevance for tourism policy makers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide insight into alternative strategies for travel agencies in a matured travel market with a high Internet penetration, and support the notion that the most promising future for travel agents will lie in specializing in travel contexts and travel components where other booking channels and media are unlikely to offer a full substitute for travel agent services.
Abstract: This article provides insight into alternative strategies for travel agencies in a matured travel market with a high Internet penetration. Discounting arguments that claim that there will be no need for travel agents in the future, two possible roles for travel agents can be derived from theory and prior studies in the field: travel agents can survive if they focus on specific specialized services, such as travel consultation (specialization; hypothesizing that systematic differences exist between the usage of travel agents for different travel contexts); and travel agents can survive if they focus on specific segments of the market, such as older travelers (segmentation; hypothesizing that systematic differences exist between the usage of travel agents depending on the personal characteristics of travelers). Results indicate that the use of travel agencies is indeed associated with specific services related to package holidays, transport services, beach or city holidays, as well as destinations travelers are not familiar with. In contrast, no clear association between travel agent use and sociodemographic characteristics of travelers exists. Hence, the findings from this study support the notion that the most promising future for travel agents will lie in specializing in travel contexts and travel components where other booking channels and media are unlikely to be able to offer a full substitute for travel agent services.
TL;DR: In this article, inbound travelers to Hong Kong with aCHi-squareA utomaticIdentificationDetector (CHAID) technique were used to derive market segments based on their likelihood of revisiting Hong Kong.
Abstract: This study segments inbound travelers to Hong Kong with aCHi-squareA utomaticIdentificationDetector (CHAID) technique. Seven predictors are used to derive market segments based on their likelihood of revisiting Hong Kong. The CHAID analysis produces six segments based on respondents' travel purpose, age, income, and repeat visit status. Each segment is described according to trip characteristics, including length of stay, travel party size, total expenditure, frequency of visits, mode of travel, and post-trip perceptions. Suggestions are made based on findings from the study, and marketing implications for resultant segments are discussed.