Low cost carriers’ destination selection using a Delphi method

Over the past two decades, demand for air transport between Taiwan and China has grown rapidly, partly in response to the economic development of the two countries, but also as a result of political factors. Low cost carriers (LCC) that have operated for several decades in the United States and Europe will provide a good operational benchmark for direct cross-strait flights once these services become possible. This research involves the construction of a sequential destination selection model for direct cross-strait flights by LCC based on a multi-attribute value function. The selection framework comprises three elements: destination competitiveness, airport infrastructure and potential demand. Previous research focused only on a few alternative airports, but the 41 airports available for foreign flights in Mainland China have all been included in the empirical analysis undertaken in this paper. The results therefore fit better with the operational features of LCC who are normally seeking suitable secondary airports rather than traffic hubs. The analysis reveals that six airports would be suitable for LCC, namely, Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Wuhan and Nanjing.     

Multi-dimensional price elasticity for leisure and business destinations in the low-cost air transport market: Evidence from easyJet

This study investigates the price elasticity of demand in the European low-cost carrier (LCC) industry by analysing Internet fares for all easyJet flights departing from the Amsterdam Schiphol airport towards 21 European destinations between March and September 2015. Results suggest that the price elasticity of demand greatly varies across different dimensions, ranging from −0.535 for the business-oriented route of Hamburg to −1.915 for the leisure-oriented route of Split. Price elasticity is also found to be higher for reservations made more days in advance, for reservations and departures occurring on weekends, and for flights taking off during lunchtime and in the summer period. All results are consistent with the different behaviours of leisure and business passengers and the ongoing increase in the business component of the LCC passenger mix.     

Does a low-cost carrier lead the domestic tourism demand and growth of New Zealand?

This study aims to provide a better understanding of the impact of New Zealand's low-cost carrier (LCC) on domestic tourism demand and growth. The panel data regression model and the two-stage least-square (2SLS) model (aims to control for the endogeneity effects) are used to empirically investigate the impact of LCC and the key determinants affecting New Zealand's domestic tourism using five regions (Auckland, Canterbury/Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Wellington) from June 2009 to July 2015. The findings suggested that the LCC's services, GDP per capita, the regional tourism indicators (accommodation, and food and beverage), and land transport costs affected New Zealand's domestic tourism. The policy implications of the key finding regarding the significance of the LCC's operations on New Zealand's domestic tourism (local/regional tourism authorities and tourism operators), airline competition between incumbent airline (Air New Zealand) and the LCC (Jetstar), and airport authorities are discussed.     

The information quality and source credibility matter in customers’ evaluation toward food O2O commerce

This study examines customer’s decision making when purchasing food product through O2O commerce applying the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). Further, this research investigates which information processing path, central route (information quality) or peripheral route (source credibility), is related to purchase frequency. Results of the data analysis demonstrate (1) the positive relationship between information quality, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use; (2) the significant relationship between source credibility, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use; (3) the significant influence of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on customer trust; and (4) the significant relationships among customer trust, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. In addition, customers with high purchase frequency tend to process messages via the central route, while customers with low purchase frequency focus on the peripheral route. These findings provide theoretical and managerial implications that contribute to O2O commerce marketing.     

Consumer perception of knowledge-sharing in travel-related Online Social Networks

Consumers trust the Internet for advice. Online Social Networks (OSNs) are creating collective knowledge and becoming major information gathering sources among tourists when making travel decisions and purchasing travel-related products and services. The aim of the current study is to develop a theoretical model that tests the precursors of “intention to share knowledge” behaviors in the context of OSNs. Based on the previous literature, a theoretical model was developed and tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling with a sample of travel-related OSN users who had at least one year of online travel shopping experience. Study results show that both perceived ease of use and belief in integrity positively influence knowledge sharing behaviors. Utilitarian beliefs and subjective norms positively influence belief in integrity. This is one of the few research studies within this field and study results present clear theoretical and practical implications for the travel and tourism industry.     

Effects of Distribution Channel Level on Tour Purchasing Attributes and Information Sources

Attributes important to escorted tour participants were used to explore the differences between clients of tour operators and clients of travel agents. Customers purchasing directly form operator's valued experience with the tour company and personal recommendations. Agency clients valued the ease of booking through agents along with information form guidebooks and tourist bureaus. Domestic travelers were more often operator clients, and foreign travelers were more often agency clients. Differences are discussed in terms of different segments of customers within the channel of distribution.     

The dynamic impact of low-cost carriers on full-service carriers and the tourism industry of South Korea: a competitive analysis using the Lotka–Volterra model

The emergence of low-cost carriers (LCC) in the aviation industry has dramatically decreased the cost of short-to-medium distance air travel, alongside the growth of the tourism industry. LCC has also changed the competitive dynamics within the aviation industry, challenging the traditional market dominated by conventional full-service carriers. Past studies have demonstrated the scale of impact of LCC on the aviation market, but have yet to explore the intricate dynamics of competition in greater detail. This paper utilizes the Lotka–Volterra model to assess the changing impact of the entrance of LCC on South Korean tourism and airline industries. Our results offer insights to industry players on developing sustainable strategic plans for future routes and tourism destinations in Asia and beyond.     

Review of studies on airline website evaluation

The continuous growth of electronic (e) commerce prompted businesses to manage effective websites to attract customers and retain loyalty. Website evaluation has been extensively researched, but a comprehensive and globally accepted model is yet to be established in the tourism and hospitality industry. This review of studies on airline website evaluation reveals an undesirable situation. Existing literature, especially on the low-cost carrier (LCC) sector, is inadequate despite the heavy reliance of this sector on web-based sales. Neither specific nor comprehensive instruments for effectively assessing airline websites are found. Therefore, a comprehensive website evaluation model in the airline or LCC context is necessary.     

Decomposition of tourism greenhouse gas emissions: Revealing the dynamics between tourism economic growth,technological efficiency,and carbon emissions

This study proposes an analytical framework for decomposing the national tourism carbon footprint and carbon efficiency to identify the dynamics between economic growth, technological efficiency, and environmental externality. Using the environmentally extended input–output model and decomposition methods, tourism carbon changes are decomposed into the economic factors of total consumption and purchasing patterns, and the production factors of industry input structure and technological improvement. This macro-level approach provides a basis for 1) assessing whether total tourism emissions increase in direct proportion to tourism consumption over time, 2) tracing the underlying determinants and their effects on tourism emissions expansion and eco-efficiency performance, and 3) comparing the carbon performance of the tourism industry against the national average. Based on the example of Taiwan, the results demonstrate that we are a long way from the goal of using the technological efficiencies of production to offset tourism-based carbon emissions.     

First-class airline travelers’ tendency to seek uniqueness: how does it influence their purchase of expensive tickets?

This study explored first-class airline travelers’ need for uniqueness and its impact on their ticket purchase intentions. More specifically, the study investigated the roles of the three subdimensions of the need for uniqueness (i.e. creative choice, unpopular choice, and similarity avoidance) in the formation of travelers’ attitudes toward first-class flights. Consumer attitudes toward first-class flights are hypothesized to increase status value, first-class attachment, and willingness to pay a premium. Based on theoretical relationships between conceptual constructs, the study proposed and tested a model using data from 202 first-class passengers in the United States. The results indicated that all three dimensions of the need for uniqueness positively affect airline travelers’ attitudes toward first-class flights and thus enhanced outcome variables. Furthermore, it was found that materialism moderated the relationship between status value and first-class attachment.     

Effects of value,affect, security,and web content on informational and transactions usage of the internet

The often cited potential benefits of the Internet have been its informational (communication) and transactional (distribution channels) use as marketing tools. This exploratory study developed and investigated a model of the antecedents of making on‐line hospitality and tourism product purchases. The findings suggested that security features and the informational use of the Web sites have a direct impact on purchasing on‐line. Suggestions are made for future researchers. Marketing implications for Web design and features were discussed.     

Restaurant purchasing skills and the impacts upon strategic purchasing and performance: The roles of supplier integration

This study was designed to 1) identify essential purchasing skills for restaurant management; 2) investigate how specific purchasing skills impact a more strategic approach to purchasing affecting restaurant performance; 3) examine if supplier integration directly affects restaurant strategic purchasing; 4) investigate if supplier integration moderates the effects of purchasing skills upon restaurant purchasing. Results demonstrated that interpersonal skills and managerial skills had significant and positive effects upon strategic purchasing, but not technical knowledge. In particular, managerial skills were a more significant contributor to the development of strategic purchasing than were interpersonal skills. Results also supported the significant and positive effect of strategic purchasing upon restaurant performance. The relationship between purchasing skills and strategic purchasing were found to be significantly different between those having higher supplier integration, technical skills and process skills when compared to those having lower scores in these areas. Theoretical and managerial implications are provided.     

Mediterranean charters — a comparative geographic perspective

The growth of inclusive tour charter (ITC) flights has contributed significantly to the growth of Mediterranean tourism during the 1970s and early 1980s. This article examines the demand over time for ITC flights originating from airports in the UK, FR Germany and Sweden, to destinations within Spain and Greece. Significant regional biases are found to occur in the destinations favoured by each of the three generating markets for both Spain and Greece. A more detailed analysis of the patterns and trends of intra-national variation in ITC-flight demand could be useful to decision makers within the tourism industry.     

Conference mobile application: Participant acceptance and the correlation with overall event satisfaction utilizing the technology acceptance model (TAM)

Abstract

Although many studies have been conducted focusing on technology trends and acceptance, there is a lack of research investigating the factors that influence conference attendees’ attitudes toward a mobile event app based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants that influence conference attendees’ attitude toward using a conference mobile event app. The results found that perceived usefulness was the greatest predictor of the app users’ attitude toward the mobile event app, attitude is a significant predictor of overall conference satisfaction, and perceived ease of use was the only significant variable found to vary between age groups. The study’s findings have implications for stakeholders in the MICE industry and the open-ended survey responses offer insights into what conference attendees deem as valuable app functionality and how attendees’ age group may affect technology preferences.     

Social and Cultural Factors Influencing Tourists' Souvenir-Purchasing Behavior: A Comparative Study on Japanese “Omiyage” and Korean “Sunmul”

Summary

One of the major parts of tourist shopping is the purchasing of souvenirs as presents for people. There are many motives for souvenir purchasing that seem to be influenced by the culture and customs of a society. This study attempts to bring light to the various social and cultural factors influencing the purchasing of souvenirs by tourists in Japan and Korea, to make predictions about tourists' souvenir-purchasing behavior in the future, and present keys to the sales promotion of souvenir goods. The results of the analysis show, as a common point, both Japanese and Korean tourists use souvenirs as a means of supporting a relationship with others, although some differences may exist in “what,” and “how” souvenirs should be given.     

The Usage of Electronic Data Interchange in the Hotel Industry

This study investigates the major factors that can influence electronic data interchange (EDI) within the hotel industry. Results illustrate that some profile, channel, and task variables can influence EDI usage in the areas of purchasing, financing, and strategy. By identifying and testing relevant intraorganizational variables, this study offers insights to academics and practitioners regarding the usage of EDI within the hotel industry. Indications are EDI could become an important tool for hotels to use in conducting business in both an interorganizational and intraorganizational manner.     

City Break Motivation

Abstract

This paper investigates why people take city break trips. The main objective of the study was to reveal the underlying push and pull motivational factors associated with taking a city break holiday to Dublin. In-depth interviews with 40 city break visitors uncovered six push factors and eight pull factors. The main push motives involved were ‘escape,’ ‘socialising,’ and ‘self esteem (gift giving).’ City breaks were generally viewed as active or ‘doing’ holidays, with the ‘relaxation’ motive hardly featuring at all as a reason to visit. Pull factors were found to be particularly important in terms of the travel decision. Factors such as ease of access and the availability of cheap flights were not only influential in determining the destination, but also acted, in some cases, as the main stimuli to take the trip.     

Developing and testing a global model to explain the adoption of websites by users in rural tourism accommodations

This article analyzes the factors determining the intention to use the websites of the rural tourism accommodations to search for information and to make online reservations. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), a model is developed to explain the intention to use the websites, incorporating as explanatory variables the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use (basic variables of the TAM) and the following key attributes of tourism websites: information, interactivity, and navigability. The results of a sample of 1083 users indicate that (1) the perceived usefulness is the main direct antecedent of the intention to use the websites to search for information and make online reservations, and that (2) information on the accommodation and destination positively influences the perceived usefulness, whereas both the interactivity and navigability have a positive effect on the perceived ease of use of the websites.     

The effects of the LCC boom on the urban tourism fabric: The viewpoint of tourism managers

This paper analyzes the vision that the urban tourism fabric in the hinterland of five Spanish regional airports has of the low cost carrier (LCC) phenomenon and the impact that LCCs have on the various niche tourism markets. Data are used from a survey of almost 500 tourist establishment managers. One of the conclusions that should be highlighted is that most of the tourism sector considers LCCs to be perfect substitutes for network carriers and even improvements on these in many cases. The exceptions are travel agencies, especially with regard to the role LCCs play in promoting conference tourism. The factors that determine how the role of LCCs is rated are also examined using generalized ordered logit estimations.     

Heterogeneity in the determinants of length of stay across middle age and senior age groups in thermal tourism

ABSTRACT

Water has been seen as a healing source of life for centuries. Even the placebo effect of thermal therapies increases consumers’ well-being. Especially with easy traveling options demand for thermal therapies are on the rise. Users of thermal therapies are mostly composed of seniors. Even though age groups in the senior market have heterogeneous needs, managers assume them to be homogenous. Measuring thermal tourism demand by the length of stay, this study analyzed the determinants affecting the length of stay of older thermal tourists. The length of stay is predicted to have been affected by age, purchasing power, physical distance, and seasonal preferences. Even though all of the above have an effect on the length of stay, we find that age is the main determinant deciding the duration. These results may serve as a starting point for policymakers and tourism managers to tailor strategies to increase income streams associated with length of stay.