Measuring Birding Specialization: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

The purpose of this study was to empirically test the construct validity of Gómez' Ethnicity and Public Recreation Participation (EPRP) Model. The EPRP Model was tested in the field on 311 Puerto Ricans in Massachusetts. Confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and fit indices were employed to test the model. The results indicated that all scales possessed good validity and reliability, and that the model met various goodness of fit criteria. Theoretical and practical implications of the EPRP Model are discussed.     

Convention Site Selection Criteria Relevant to Secondary Convention Destinations

Abstract

This study utilizes a Likert scale attitudinal survey to assess the convention site selection preferences of association executives. The study looks at the importance of 31 site selection criteria and how the significance of these criteria is influenced by different association and convention characteristics. These analyses reveal a number of trends that are particularly relevant to smaller convention cities. The general finding suggests that while secondary convention destinations have advantages, they are not likely to be attractive to the more lucrative national and international gatherings unless they have an airport with direct flights from most major markets. Furthermore, those organizations whose geographic scopes are narrower might also be difficult to attract because they tend to have their conventions in the same, centrally located venue year after year.     

Quality Selection Criteria of Travel Intermediaries

ABSTRACT

The study explores the selection criteria conducted by travel agencies, evaluating travel intermediaries (destination tour operator) founded on the visionary perspectives of product managers and front-line employees (tour leaders) of Taiwanese travel agencies. Statistically, data accumulated from the 36 product managers and 36 tour leaders by the critical incident technique indicates that local coaches, drivers, and local guides are monumental on group package tour (GPT) service sectors. Meanwhile, another critical issue being scrutinized is the selection scenarios, as to which prices are exponentially executed by product managers, whereas tour leaders tend to be destination tour operator qualities-oriented fundamentally. In order to enhance the destination tour operator service qualities, the research conducts relatively objective selection criteria in selecting the well-qualified and appropriate travel intermediaries as commissioners on the cutting edge travel agencies domain. More substantially, the revealed scenarios of destination tour operators supply the populously rivalous market, China, a relatively credential reference on selecting the well-suited Travel Intermediaries.     

Dimensions of Perceived Training Quality

ABSTRACT

Diverse literature bases were coalesced to determine the dimensions of perceived training quality, a new training evaluation criterion. This exploratory research shifted the paradigm to look at training as a service, and engaged in a rigorous, multi-step scale development process that addressed idea generation, content adequacy assessment, questionnaire administration, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency analysis, and construct validity. In the course of factor analysis, two measurements of perceived training quality were evaluated: a gap (perceptions minus expectations) measurement and a performance (perception only) measure. The final scale development step of replication utilized a sample of 164 supervisory and management level trainees from the hospitality industry to determine that performance was a better measurement, and that six dimensions define perceived training quality: interactivity, climate, courtesy, relevance, tangibles, and credibility.     

Competencies of training professionals in the Hong Kong hotel industry

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the competencies of training professionals in the hotel industry in Hong Kong. A survey questionnaire was adopted. Seventeen competencies were derived by factor analysis. Six essential competencies are identified, whereas “people skills and commitment” and “awareness of quality” are the most important competencies, while another 11 competencies are highly preferred. This study provides original criteria for hoteliers and human resources professionals to facilitate the recruitment process and aid training professionals in developing core competencies in hotel industry employees. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are presented.     

Buyer Characteristics Among Users of Various Travel Intermediaries

SUMMARY

As online travel purchases increase, travel intermediaries must change to meet consumer demands. A survey was conducted to identify travelers' selection criteria and expectations of traditional travel agents. Responses from 382 individuals were compared by their methods of purchasing travel arrangements, including those who purchased online, offline, or both. Differences were found among the groups in terms of travel agent selection criteria and expectations; however, the groups were similar in their frequency of travel and number of information sources used. Results and conclusions identified strategies for travel intermediaries to attract and retain clientele.     

A hybrid multi-criteria decision making model to evaluate hotel websites

PurposeThe main purpose of the study is to develop a robust and reliable model which evaluates the quality of hospitality websites, or more specifically, hotel websites.Design/methodology/approachThe literature is deeply overviewed and an advisory board is consulted for determination of the critical factors affecting the quality of a hospitality website. Appointed criteria are organised as a hierarchy according to their orientation. A hybrid model including two multi-criteria decision making approaches, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Preference Ranking Organisation Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE), is proposed to achieve the purpose of the study. The AHP is utilized to weigh the criteria, and, ranking of the alternatives are provided via PROMETHEE. For the case study, websites of five-star hotels in Ankara, which is the capital city of the Republic of Turkey, are evaluated.FindingsEncouraging results are obtained for the case study by the proposed model.Originality/valueThe proposed model provides reliable and robust results for any qualitative or quantitative criteria to evaluate hospitality websites which is a very important task for both customers, and enterprises, even for governments.     

The development of an evaluation scale for B2B service quality: The case of the Korean convention industry

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop scale dimensions for evaluating professional convention organizers (PCOs) from the perspective of conference hosts. Based on a literature review of B2B service quality and convention service quality, and in-depth interviews with host organizers in the Korean convention industry, five quality dimensions were identified: potential, process, personal, technical, and outcome qualities. The reliability and validity of the five dimensions were verified using empirical data. The results show that service quality between PCOs and hosts should be considered to be a holistic experience rather than a set of separate factors as discussed in previous studies. This paper also contributes by proposing that the five scales serve as a managerial tool for PCOs to evaluate their own performance and as criteria for hosts to develop effective business relationships with service providers.     

LETTER FROM THE GUEST EDITOR

ABSTRACT

Research was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the nature and competitive importance of bidding on events by destination marketing organizations, with emphasis on identifying event selection criteria and critical success factors for winning bids. Data were collected on the goals and nature of the event bidding process from convention and visitor bureaus in Canada. Canadian bureaus were found to be very active in bidding on a diverse range of events, especially meetings, conventions, political events, and sports. Most bureaus encouraged and assisted other local organizations to make bids and themselves concentrated on major events with city-wide economic impacts. Although event selection criteria were frequently not formalized, respondents stressed potential economic impacts, size, media exposure, time of year, available venues, and local involvement. The most important critical success factors for winning bids were strong partners, excellent presentations, and treating each bid as a unique process, but many respondents also felt their destination needed bigger and better facilities and more marketing/bidding resources. To aid in future research and theory-building, a framework is presented to illustrate event bidding as an exchange process between owners and sellers, including antecedent conditions and event selection criteria.     

Designing a Hospitality Ethics Course Content from the Students' Perspective

ABSTRACT

In managing a curriculum, it is important to solicit students' perspective to ensure that it is relevant to their interest and needs. Therefore, in an attempt to develop content for a hospitality ethics course, this study conducts a questionnaire survey with 520 hospitality students to help identify the importance of 39 ethical issues in the hospitality industry. As suggested by Thomas, Clermont, and Maimbolwa-Sinyangwe (1984) and DuFrene, Elliott-Howard, and Daniel (1990), if an ethical issue is judged to be important, it can serve as a topic around which part of the course is to be developed. The top three most important issues are found to be “Disposal of hazardous waste,” “Acceptance of bribes or gifts by employees” and “Sexual harassment on the job.”     

Inbound Travelers' Selection Criteria for Hotel Spas in Hong Kong

With a growing number of travelers enjoying spa experiences, it is vital that hotels understand their preferences. As Hong Kong has a high visitor inflow and is in the preliminary stages of hotel spa development, an examination of the selection criteria used by inbound travelers when choosing hotel spas should provide Hong Kong hoteliers with the information needed to further develop and refine their facilities. This study examines the selection criteria that inbound travelers use to gain insight into how demographic factors and travel characteristics affect their spa-related decisions. A measuring instrument was developed based on in-depth interviews of spa industry professionals and secondary data. The results reveal that relaxation, pampering, and beautification were the main reasons that people visited hotel spas; with the three most important major selection dimensions being therapists, price, and product and treatment types. Of the 28 selection criteria studied, professional skills, product and service knowledge, sense of privacy, range of facilities, and product branding were the most important attributes. The implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed here.     

Management Accounting in the Hotel Business

Abstract

This article reports on a study investigating Management Accounting (MA) applications and practices in Greek hotels. Relevant bibliography indicates the way in which MA supports management decision-making: Costing systems aim to analyze revenue centers, and are structured according to marginal costing principals. MA makes extensive use of budget and performance measurement techniques to support operational and strategic decisions. In the present study, a sample survey was carried out by means of a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that Greek hotels make use of MA techniques in all of the above ways, but also reveal a number of differences, such as the application of full costing methods. This in turn has implications for the criteria used to evaluate managers' performance, as well as for the information used in making pricing decisions. Moreover, budget design is more flexible than that used in other fields, while benchmarking is not so popular. The study's findings reveal that hotel size and sales mix structure affect some MA practices, while the use of specific MA methods and techniques determines the emphasis placed on the application of others.     

Meeting Planners' Perceptions of Site Selection Characteristics

Abstract

This study aims to examine meeting planner assessments of convention site selection characteristics for international meetings/conventions and to appraise the strengths and weaknesses of six selected major convention hotels in Seoul, Korea. The principle components procedure indicated that four factors accounted for 78 percent of the cumulative variance of the eleven site selection variables listed in the study.     

Constructing a risk management indicator model for travel agencies: a resource integration perspective

ABSTRACT

This study integrated resource-based theory and resource dependence theory, and introduced risk management on Taiwan's travel agencies. First, through in-depth interviews with experts and content analysis, preliminary items were generated. Second, using the modified Delphi method to converge expert consensus, and 7 facets with 37 items was formulated. Next, the criteria in the various levels were weighted through the Analytic Hierarchy Process and ranked. This study result showed that priority operating risks for Taiwan's travel agencies were financial risks, competing risks and supply chain risks. This study found can be used by travel agencies in risk management and competitive strategies.     

Modeling a Demonstration Effect: The Case of Spectators' Experiences at 2015 Pan Am Games' Track Cycling Competitions

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to identify cognitive and affective mechanisms by which the experience of live sport spectating might inspire new sport participation. A conceptual model of demonstration effects that explored relationships among cognitive dimensions of spectators' consumptive experiences (i.e., fantasy, flow, evaluation, aesthetics and physical attractiveness), an affective state of inspiration, and intention to try a sport on display was tested. Data were collected from spectators attending 2015 Pan Am Games track cycling competitions through a written questionnaire. Cognitive dimensions were all positively related to feelings of being inspired while watching the event. Feelings of being inspired while watching the event, in turn, had a positive effect on intention to try the sport of track cycling. An affective state of inspiration also mediated relationships between each cognitive dimension of sport event performance consumption and intention. Implications for research and practice are discussed.     

Feeling the Noise: Teenagers,Bedrooms and Music

Abstract

This investigation examines the psychometric properties of a modified involvement scale (MIS) using recreationists sampled at a national forest in upstate South Carolina and consumers enquiring about angling opportunities in the Low Country of South Carolina. Following the testing of several model configurations, support for a conceptualization of enduring involvement was observed consisting of five correlated facets: attraction, centrality, social bonding, identity expression and identity affirmation. This conceptualization was an extension of McIntyre’s measure. Notable departures from McIntyre’s conceptualization include the extraction of a social component previously embedded in the centrality facet and greater distinction in the leisure identification processes. This led to the construction of two identification facets. Testing using multiple criteria of validity and reliability illustrated that the MIS was a sound indicator of enduring leisure involvement.     

Destination marketing organization website visitors’ flow experience: an application of Plog’s model of personality

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the relationships among website features (i.e. informativeness, design, and interactivity), flow experience, and the user’s intention to seek and use travel information provided on destination marketing organization (DMO) websites. It incorporates the moderating effects of personality into those relationships. Respondents (n = 433) were asked to visit and explore a DMO website and then to respond as if they were planning to travel to the destination. The results show that three website features relate positively to flow experience and that flow experience contributes to behavioral intention. This study also finds that personality moderates the link between web features (informativeness and interactivity) and flow experience, the implications of which are discussed at the end of the paper.     

The comparative analysis of Hong Kong as an international conference destination in Southeast Asia

The purpose of this study was to analyze the competitiveness of Hong Kong as an international conference destination in Southeast Asia. Survey questionnaires were sent to the conference end-users, organizers, and venues in Hong Kong and Singapore to study the limitation of holding a large conference in Hong Kong, and the importance and satisfaction of site selection criteria for holding conferences in Hong Kong and Singapore. The pair mean t test was used to compare satisfaction differences on the selection criteria in Hong Kong and Singapore. The ANOVA analysis was conducted to identify the selection criteria perceived differently by end-users, organizers and venues. The finding showed that Hong Kong was perceived as less competitive than Singapore as an international conference destination. The study suggested that Hong Kong must overcome its weaknesses and develop competitive advantages to maintain itself as an ideal international conference destination in Southeast Asia.     

Perceptions of determinants of job selection in the hospitality and tourism industry: The case of Korean university students

ABSTRACT

This study explores the key factors influencing potential employees in the hospitality and tourism industry and examines whether causal relationships between behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence students' job selection. The study suggests that the career decision-making process is related to job selection. A total of 307 responses were analyzed. The results explain individual students' attitudes toward a behavior and perceived behavioral control in the context of their job selection. Attitudes toward a behavior and job selection had significant effects on career decisions. On the other hand, opinions of significant others had no significant effect. Perceived behaviors required to decide on jobs had a significant effect on job selection intentions. Students with internship experience were likely to form positive attitudes toward the hospitality and tourism industry, suggesting internships to be a useful source of a stronger relationship between the industry and job aptitudes of students in hospitality and tourism programs. The results have important implications.