Showing papers in "Tourism and Hospitality Research in 2003"

Trends and issues in tourism and hospitality education: visioning the future

Abstract: Changes in the higher educational environment are having a tremendous impact on the education process, curricula, learning outcomes and instructional practices. This paper aims to identify the challenges facing established universities in tourism and hospitality education and to provide insight of how these could be managed in the future. Five sources of change are identified: the socio-economic and technological environment; global competition; the student market; educators and teaching methods; and the tourism and hospitality industry. The exploitation of modern technologies and the development of information literacy and knowledge management skills are the two major issues that universities need to consider in the future.

Modelling Determinants of Tourism Demand as a Five-Stage Process: A Discrete Choice Methodological Approach:

Abstract: In the tourists' destination choice there are multiple factors involved in their decision. Individuals or families with exactly the same socio-economic and demographic characteristics may choose very different destinations. The paper deals with this heterogeneity problem, recognising that there are taste differences among tourists and that final destination choice is not an independent decision, but the last decision of a set of choices that are determining it. In this sense, it is argued that tourists face a five-stage decision process. First of all, people have to decide whether or not to travel within a period of time. Secondly, those who expect to travel need to estimate a budget for tourism expenses. Thirdly, given the budget, they need to determine the frequency and length of stay of their trip. Fourthly, once a date and the length of stay are proposed, tourists need to choose which kind of tourist destination to visit. Finally, from among all the available destinations that satisfy a tourist's cond...

Media Construction of Britain as a Destination for Japanese Tourists: Social Constructionism and Tourism

Abstract: Media-induced tourism, which involves visits to places associated with films, television programmes and literature, has become a growing phenomenon yet has been little studied empirically. This paper delineates the empirical study to investigate the phenomenon highlighting the theoretical position and research methodology for this specific research project. This paper, specifically, outlines a social construction theory hat provides an approach that locates tourism in a wider context of society and culture of a generating country and views contemporary tourism as a social and cultural phenomenon.

Heritage Tourism: The Contradictions between Conservation and Change

Abstract: Singapore and Hong Kong are two geographically small economic powerhouses in Asia. In recent years both cities have been attempting to develop their tourism economies by communicating their unique ...

E-Mail Customer Service in the Swiss Hotel Industry

Abstract: This research explored the state of electronic customer service in Switzerland by e-mailing a typical room query to a random and stratified sample of 200 hotels. Based on the hotel responses, this study found that guests had less than a one in ten chance of receiving a prompt, polite and personal reply. Diffusion of innovations helps explain the poor e-mail replies by Swiss hoteliers. The quality of reply differed across hotel size, category, online relationship marketing tools and linguistic region while responsiveness differed across online relationship marketing tools, geographic location and linguistic region. This study suggests that hotels can gain an immediate competitive advantage by implementing basic e-mail procedures.

Globalisation: An Old Phenomenon That Needs to Be Rediscovered for Tourism?:

Abstract: Globalisation is a common concept in the social sciences; its meaning, however, is contested. Therefore in the first part the paper provides a framework of the term ‘globalisation’ as well as a def...

Searching for Rich Narratives of Tourism and Leisure Experience: How Oral History Could Provide an Answer

Abstract: This paper suggests that oral history offers a potentially insightful methodological approach to those engaged in tourism and leisure research. The paper begins by defining oral history, discussing its origins and outlining its development. It is suggested that the oral history technique offers opportunities for more researcher/researched interaction and participation since it is a ‘shared’ and reflexive process. It also provides greater transparency in the research process since it acknowledges the role of the interviewer. In order to illustrate the value and application of the oral history technique in tourism and leisure research, the paper then presents a brief indication of how it is being applied in an ongoing study of the leisure uses of canals in South Wales during the 20th century. The paper concludes by suggesting how oral history could be applied in future tourism and leisure research projects.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of French and British Managers: An Examination of the Influence of Higher Education on Management Style

Abstract: Organisations are increasingly expanding beyond their national borders due to a variety of factors that have created international expansion opportunities. The hospitality industry, in particular, has seized the opportunity to extend its reach internationally. When internationalisation occurs, organisations are confronted with the challenge of managing a culturally diverse workforce. This challenge is especially acute for industries that are as labour intensive as is the hospitality industry. Indeed, the ultimate success of international expansion is largely driven by the effectiveness of a company's human resource management strategy. This paper explores management differences of French and British managers, hypothesising that management styles and beliefs are strongly influenced by managers' educational backgrounds.

Consumer Requirements for a Mid-Priced Business Hotel: Insights from Analysis of Current Messaging by Hotels

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of current messages of mid-priced business hotels, using conjoint analysis. The study was run over the Internet in early 2001, with 126 elements derived from the actual language used by different hotel chains. Few elements emerged as distinct ‘losers’ (ie negative utilities) for the total respondent population of 376 individuals (all business travellers). A set of elements emerged as ‘winners’, but the elements dealt with a variety of topics. Segmentation revealed four groups, with homogeneous viewpoints within a group; interested but not responsive to communications; room as office; pamper me; room as vacation. Elements that one segment likes, another segment may dislike. The proper messaging to these four segments can dramatically enhance the impact of the communication.

Inquiry Conversion and Tourism Website Effectiveness: Assumptions, Problems and Potential:

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of inquiry conversion in tourism website evaluation research. It uses data from an evaluation of a tourism promotional website to explore some of the...

The Impact of Terrorism on Tourism and Hospitality Business: An Online Debate by Experts in the Field:

Abstract: Each year the Tourism and Hospitality Research Practice papers section puts together a panel of distinguished industry practitioners to discuss a topical issue. Following the tragic events in New Y...

The General Agreement on Trade in Services and the Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Tourism and Sustainability

Abstract: After years of protracted negotiation the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) was due to come into force at the end of 2002. This agreement, the first multilateral and legally enforceable liberalisation agreement covering trade in services, including tourism services, aims to eliminate obstacles and discriminatory barriers to service trade and increase markets for investment. The agreement, covering a range of sectors, promises to have a significant effect on tourism service provision and perhaps pose a significant challenge to the efforts to develop sustainable forms of tourism. The subject of considerable controversy, the GATS has been criticised by human rights, environmental and developing world activist groups, many of whom see it as nothing more than a front for corporate domination of global markets, accelerating environmental degradation and undermining local governance structures. Supporters, on the other hand, see the GATS potential in overcoming trade disputes and hold out the promise...

Public-Private Interactions in Anglo-Greek Tourism: Reflections on Aspects of the Primary Research Process

Abstract: The issues discussed in this paper stem from the author's ongoing work in the field of tourism The main research areas are the relationships between tour operators, the accommodation sector and National Tourism Offices with an emphasis on marketing and promotion, as well as the influence of external factors on the effectiveness of promotional activities The connections, along these lines, between the UK and Greece are examined in a case study The paper will illustrate the thought process underpinning the primary research for the study Its aim is to highlight and analyse a number of methodological considerations and conscious decisions that had to be made during its course, while emphasis is given to the issues revolving around the preparation and implementation of primary research

Book Review: Managing Airports: An International Perspective

Abstract: It is not the taking of a particular position on tourism that I find distasteful about this book, but the pretence that it is balanced. It is not. The book is a thinly veiled attack on the work of those who see tourism as a powerful force for change, a classic example of what globalisation theorists call the local:global nexus. This is a real shame because the author is clearly well read and well travelled, but somehow fails to get meaning across to his audience. The anecdote 'George's South Gambia Adventure' (chapter ten: 'Slim Pickings on the Smiling Coast') is frankly embarrassing, yet his handling of African American tourists in The Gambia (pp. 158-159) is sensitive and revealing. In conclusion, this is a confusing and inconsistent book. Parts of it are really quite worthy, but these moments are more than countered by a curious undercurrent that is sufficient to undermine any of the book's good intentions. So, while the book is aimed at students (I would speculate that it is based on the lecture notes of a taught module) the author's prejudices would make it difficult to recommend as a textbook and it is unlikely that practitioners or researchers would find anything new in it.