Aboriginal tourism—a linear structural relations analysis of domestic and international tourist demand

This paper analyses data from 471 domestic and international visitors to Katherine, Northern Territory as to their levels of interest in Aboriginal tourism products. It finds that although 40% of visitors do have an interest in Aboriginal culture, for the great majority such an interest is part of a wider interest in the Northern Territory as a whole. There is little evidence that tourists might be described as ‘amateur anthropologists’—rather their interest is related to other aspects of the Territory, such as its landscape, flora and fauna, and opportunities for outback adventure. Additionally, it is argued that evidence emerges of some tourists re‐evaluating natural settings from an Aboriginal perspective. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The evolution of backpacker destinations: the case of Zipolite,Mexico

Despite the growing literature on backpacker tourism, little is known about the evolutionary patterns of the places that cater to such travellers. This paper analyses, first, the way in which established and current models of tourist development conceptualise backpackers and their destinations. In addition, it offers some specific suggestions that will allow them to explain the evolution of backpacker destinations in a more detailed manner. Then, results of field research conducted at Mexico's largest backpacker resort are presented, to illustrate its particular socio‐spatial evolution. The paper concludes that, when fuelled by an increasing number of arrivals and a growing demand for comforts, what were once drifter‐dominated peripheral places may evolve gradually into well‐established ‘resorts’ that satisfy contemporary backpackers' demands for infrastructure, natural settings and ambience. Developer‐tourists with an affinity to backpacker culture are likely to become key actors as they come to gain control over land use and local economic development. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Destination Attractiveness Drivers among Urban Hostel Tourists: An Analysis of Frustrators and Delighters

This study is based on data from 679 tourists staying at hostel accommodation facilities in Zagreb, a propulsive city‐break destination in Central Europe. Besides providing insight into the socio‐demographic and behavioural characteristics of hostel tourists, this study uncovers determinant destination attributes influencing their perceptions of destination attractiveness. In particular, impact asymmetry analysis identified potential sources of delight and frustration among hostel tourists. Since the hostel tourist segment, as such, is almost completely unconsidered in contemporary tourism research, partly covered only by a few studies on youth travellers and backpackers, the results of this case study are valuable to both practitioners and researchers related to the hostelling industry and city destination marketing organizations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Backpacking: Diversity and Change

Backpacking, a relatively little studied form of tourism, is a rapidly expanding phenomenon. This article follows the transition from the tramp to the drifter, and from the latter to the contemporary backpacker, and points to the diversity within this general category of tourists. The discrepancy between the ideal and the common practice of backpacking, and the mechanisms of bridging it deployed by contemporary backpackers, are discussed. It is claimed that backpackers tend to profess modern ideals of tourism (e.g. the quest for 'authenticity') but are 'post-modern' in the praxis. While it is accepted that the model of a 'rite-of-passage' is a useful heuristic device for the study of backpacking, some significant qualifications regarding the applicability of the model are pointed out. The article concludes by stressing the importance of the historical and national contexts of the backpackers' origins for the diversity of their motivations and conduct, and proposes future directions of research.     

Backpacking Through an Ontology of Becoming: A Never‐ending Cycle of Journeys

By adopting an ontological stance of becoming, this study traces qualitatively the journeys of contemporary backpacker tourists using the theoretical construct of the ‘Hero's Journey’ as a conceptual vehicle. This process allows for the development of a cyclical model of experience that illustrates the backpacker's experience in three stages of departure, initiation and return. This approach reveals the role that former backpackers play through the sharing of knowledge and the invaluable support they offer to novice backpackers through a network of support that is available to contemporary backpackers who choose to follow established backpacking trails. This never ending cycle of journeys becomes instrumental into the shaping of what this paper see as the common, collective consciousness of the backpacking experience and the evolution of the backpacking experience market. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the interplay between the use of risk-related information,risk perception formation,and the stages of travel product consumption

This study examined using patterns of risk and warning-related information by backpackers who develop their own travel risk perceptions. It looked at the preferences of information sources and usage levels among Israeli backpackers. Using a simulating approach, interviewees were asked to report on their preference and usage patterns in four stages of the travel consumption sequence – (a) prior to choice of destination; (b) after choice of destination but before departure; (c) during the trip, and (d) after returning home. Based on a sample of 467 former backpackers, the study revealed that they use a relatively wide range of risk-related sources of information yet their preference and usage levels in those sources vary as they moved from one consumption stage to the other. The most innovative finding of this study is that unlike previous findings there was a significant and direct correlation between the level of risk-related information consumption and the backpackers’ level of risk perception in each of the tourist product consumption stages. Further research directions derived from these findings as well as management implications are provided.     

Chinese International Students. An Avant‐Garde of Independent Travellers?

Though most long‐haul Chinese travellers participate in group‐based tours, many young Chinese are now travelling overseas to acquire educational qualifications. These ‘study tourists’ travel independently around their place of study, often accompanied by friends and relatives whom they are hosting. Understanding the characteristics of such independent behaviours may offer insights into China's future outbound travel market. This study of 1400 Chinese studying in Australia highlights distinctions between independent student travellers and youth travellers more generally such as backpackers. The findings challenge established typologies of independent youth travellers and raise prospective implications for marketers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characteristics and Behaviour of Tourists Who Use Trails

This article documents the popularity of five types of trail-based recreation relative to other forms of recreation that tourists frequently participate in on their trips; identifies these trail users’ cross-participation in other outdoor recreation activities; and profiles the travel behaviour, media habits, trip planning behaviour, and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of day hikers and snowmobilers as two particularly large trail user segments. Findings are based on data from a household telephone survey conducted in Michigan, surrounding states, and Ontario, Canada. Hiking/backpacking was found to be the most popular natural resource-based recreation activity that respondents participated in on pleasure trips taken during the past 12 months; other forms of trail-based recreation were significantly less popular; mountain bikers participated in nature-oriented recreation activities in Michigan at levels that were similar to those of hikers/backpackers; and snowmobiling appeared to be the focus of most pleasure trips on which this activity occurred, in contrast to day hiking, which appeared to be more of an ancillary pursuit.     

Dependency,Globalization and Overseas Sex‐related Consumption by East Asians

Previous research has used dependency theory to explain sex consumption by rich, northern men travelling to ‘developing countries’. Little is known about how this perspective can be applied to sex‐related consumption by tourists from non‐western regions. Analyzing the East Asian Social Survey of 2008, we found that many eastern Asians had engaged in sex‐related entertainments abroad. People from the newly rich countries had become exploiters of sexual services in peripheral countries. East Asian tourists also went west and north bound overseas for sexual pleasures. We argue that the increasing economic activities and travelling opportunities across borders may better explain the overseas sex‐related consumption of eastern Asians than dependency theory. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Towards tourism: a Laotian perspective

This paper reports the findings of a study of the attitudes of residents towards tourism in the District of Viengxay, Lao People's Democratic Republic, where tourism is in its infancy. Based on focus group interviews, the paper analyses the societal and individual attitudes of the residents towards tourists, tourism development and employment in the tourism field. It was found that locals have little understanding of the motivations of tourists for visiting their villages. Villagers look forward to tourism development to bring more communication and fame to their village, as well as to tourism's contribution to the local economy. Community‐mindedness, control and organisation, cultural exchange, understanding and cultural awareness are prime motivators in forming local attitudes towards tourism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison between Asian and Australasia backpackers using cultural consensus analysis

This study tests the differences in the shared understanding of the backpacker cultural domain between two groups: backpackers from Australasia and backpackers from Asian countries. A total of 256 backpackers responded to a questionnaire administered in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Krabi Province (Thailand). Cultural consensus analysis (CCA) guided the data analysis, to identify the shared values and the differences in the backpacker culture of the two groups. The findings revealed that while the two groups share some of the backpacker cultural values, some other values are distinctively different from one another. The study provides the first empirical evidence of the differences in backpacking culture between the two groups using CCA. Based on the study findings, we propose some marketing and managerial implications.     

Death of a Backpacker: Incidental but Not Random

This case study of the fatal shooting of a backpacker by a policeman in the otherwise peaceful town of Pai in northern Thailand aims to show that, though incidental, it was not just a random occurrence. Rather, the event can be interpreted in terms of wider social structural processes and personal agency. The growing tension between the police and the backpackers in town, partly resulting from pressures to upgrade the community for more up-market domestic tourism, created the conditions for the occurrence of the event; but the personal predispositions of the main antagonists exacerbated these tensions, eventuating in tragic consequences. The article examines the contrasting versions of the event, and the ‘ethno-victimology’, implicit in the manner various groups of foreigners allocated the responsibility for the shooting between the antagonists. The article concludes that the event may have a negative effect on backpackers’ image of Pai (but not on the domestic tourists’ image), while the growth in the number of foreigners killed in Thailand may have an accumulative effect on the touristic image of the country as a whole. Some ideas for the further study of events in tourism are suggested.     

Tourist behavioural intentions in relation to service quality and customer satisfaction in Kinmen National Park,Taiwan

This study assesses tourist satisfaction and its links with service quality using a hierarchical model that combines four primary determinants and eight corresponding sub‐dimensions. A sample of 616 tourists departing from Kinmen Airport was surveyed with a structured questionnaire after they had just visited Kinmen National Park. A series of analyses was performed to explore tourist satisfaction with the four main service quality attributes as well as their willingness of repeat visits and recommendation. As a result, it was consistently found that service quality has positive significant relationship with tourist satisfaction. It is thus suggested that national park managers have to satisfy tourists with a high level of service quality, based on the concept that service quality may have a significant influence on long‐term behavioural intentions through high levels of customer satisfaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Perception and attitude of Hong Kong hotel guest‐contact employees towards tourists from Mainland China

In recent years, the majority of arrivals to Hong Kong, which were once dominated by the Western and Japanese markets, were replaced by arrivals from Mainland China. The number of tourists from Mainland China has overtaken others to become the largest single market for the territory. With its increasing significance, providing quality service to these visitors becomes crucial to the success of the tourism industry and of the hotel industry in particular. Unfortunately, the satisfaction rating of the Mainland visitors on hotel services in Hong Kong is reported to be relatively low when compared to those given by other major markets. It is suspected that the perception and attitudes of the service staff may influence their behaviour in serving customers. As such, this study conducted a survey questionnaire with 228 guest‐contact employees of hotels in Hong Kong. Results indicate that most respondents have a fairly positive perception towards the Mainland tourists in relation to the economic and financial benefits that they bring to Hong Kong. However, a majority of the respondents express negative perception and attitudes towards these tourists in respect to their appearance, personalities and behaviour. Despite some respondents indicating that they exhibit different service behaviour towards visitors from Mainland China and other countries, no major significant differences in their perception and attitudes were found in this study. It is recommended that various types of cross‐cultural training, such as sensitivity training and role playing, would be helpful to guest‐contact employees in enhancing their ability to be more objective and more tolerant of other people's behaviour. This study concludes that hotel employees, especially those who work as front‐line staff, must remain aware of their subjective judgments when dealing with guests and be more accepting of others. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The content of Third World tourism marketing: a 4A approach

Tourism to the Third World continues to grow and, correspondingly, the promotion of these regions is increasingly popular and important. Although some concerns have been voiced about the images contained in Third World tourism marketing, there has been no extensive examination of its content to date. Accordingly, in this study, the verbal and visual components of 115 brochures for 12 Third World countries are analysed. To facilitate a detailed content analysis of these brochures, a ‘4A’ approach is introduced, focusing on attractions (natural and man‐made), actors (hosts and tourists), actions and atmosphere. This comprehensive inventory reveals that Third World countries are clustered into three groups, namely Oriental, sea–sand and frontier. It is shown that by emphasising and stereotyping certain attractions, actors, actions and atmospheres, certain overarching tourism myths are created around Third World destinations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Khaosan Road: an evolving backpacker tourist enclave being partially reclaimed by the locals

Backpacker tourist enclaves dot the globe but have been little studied. The present study examined the structure and functioning of Khaosan Road; Bangkok's large archetypal backpacker bubble. It gauged basic dimensions such as tourist area spread, guesthouse and business numbers, and tourist economic and social impact. It surveyed tourist demographics, travel motives, behaviour, and reactions to and uses of the area, and characteristics and reactions of Thai visitors and street vendors. The area is a complex, evolving system with mixed ownership and functions. It is expanding, going up‐market and becoming a key nightlife area for young Thais. Overdevelopment may alter its appeal to backpackers. The data give a detailed picture of one backpacker enclave, which may partly generalise to others. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural Relationships among Destination Preference,Satisfaction and Loyalty in Chinese Tourists to Australia

This study quantifies the relationship among destination preference, destination satisfaction and destination loyalty. Destination loyalty consists of two dimensions: word‐of‐mouth (WOM) and destination attachment (DA). It is found that WOM is directly affected by destination satisfaction, whereas DA is predetermined by the destination preference of tourists before a visit. Thus, the destination experience is the crucial factor in the spread of positive WOM about a destination. Nevertheless, to develop tourists' DA, effective loyalty schemes should be implemented through marketing efforts before they visit a destination. The findings of this study can be used by destinations to analyze and evaluate their loyalty‐building process and marketing strategy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conceptualising Customer‐to‐customer Value Co‐creation in Tourism

The notion that tourists actively co‐create value with organisations is increasingly acknowledged in tourism marketing. Yet, not much is known about the processes in play when customers co‐create value with each other. This conceptual paper offers a theoretical basis for the study of customer‐to‐customer co‐creation in tourism contexts, while debating the epistemological assumptions of value‐related research in tourism. Proposed conceptual framework posits that value is socially constructed and embedded in tourists' social practices. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flashpacking and automobility

Recent research has attempted to distinguish the key differences between backpacking and flashpacking. However, research observing how both groups choose to travel between destinations remains a neglected theme, and one that may also reveal distinct behavioural differences. This paper critically examines the methods of transportation used by backpackers and flashpackers and analyses how both groups value mobility throughout their respective journeys. While both groups have frequently been identified as being highly mobile, few papers have critically examined the significance transportation choices play in enhancing or fulfilling their desired experiences. Despite suggestions that flashpackers possess far greater financial budgets, most studies have assumed that they travel in similar ways to backpackers. In this paper, the importance of automobility, which is deemed to be a combination of autonomous and self-directed movement, is explored in the context of Norway. Using a qualitative methodology, the experiences of 43 interviewees (26 backpackers and 17 flashpackers) at 10 different hostel locations were recorded in 2009. The findings revealed that backpackers and flashpackers exhibited highly contrasting mobilities, and that previous assumptions regarding how they choose to travel should be challenged.     

Visitor and non‐visitor images of Central and Eastern Europe: a qualitative analysis

This study examines the image of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as a holiday destination. The countries are linked by having had communist governments and being inaccessible to tourists from outside the communist bloc. Currently, they seek new tourist markets and this study examines the views of a number of UK residents about destination image of CEE. The study examines, through semi‐structured interviews, images held by people who have and who have not visited CEE. The data is analysed qualitatively. Few significant differences were found between views of visitors and non‐visitors; most views were positive and associated favourably with ‘culture’. Negative images were usually associated with the eastern part of the area especially ex‐Yugoslavia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.