Modeling reference experience in destination choice

The complexity underlying the destination decision-making of tourists has prompted abundant research from various academic disciplines. This paper proposes the integration of the leisure tourists’ past reference experience into a model for long-haul destination choice. By analyzing the preference of tourists regarding various attributes of a tourist destination, this study consolidates the concept of reference-dependent behavior in the context of tourist destination choice and introduces the concept of reference-level bias. The research findings provide theoretical and managerial implications.     

旅游地社会责任、声誉、认同与旅游者忠诚关系

文章构建了旅游地社会责任、旅游地声誉、旅游地认同与旅游者忠诚关系的整合模型,以厦门市旅游者为研究对象,采用结构方程模型( SEM)方法,对整合模型进行实证检验,发现:(1)旅游者社会责任直接正向影响旅游地声誉和旅游地认同,并通过旅游地声誉对旅游地认同产生间接影响,通过旅游地声誉和旅游地认同对重游倾向和口碑宣传产生间接影响;(2)旅游地声誉正向影响旅游地认同、重游倾向和口碑宣传,并通过旅游地认同对口碑宣传产生间接影响;(3)旅游地认同直接影响口碑宣传;(4)重游倾向和口碑宣传之间存在递进关系.最后,文章对研究结论进行了讨论,并指出了研究局限和未来研究方向.     

Image effect on customer-centric measures of performance

This study analyzes the effect of the difference between the pre-trip image of a destination and the post-trip image on, for the first time, two key elements of traveler behavior, which in turn are two customer-centric measures of destination performance: travel satisfaction and intention to revisit a destination. While the literature on the analysis of destination image has been prolific, the intricacies of the effects of changes in destination image on traveler behaviors remain unexplored, behaviors whose relevance is still greater when they show destination performance indicators. Based on the concepts of the zone of tolerance (derived from the service quality model) and loss aversion (from prospect theory), we explain the differential asymmetric effects of variation in destination image on intention to revisit and satisfaction, based on a sample of 12,024 individuals. Critical implications for destination marketing organizations are provided.     

Toward The Perspective Of Cognitive Destination Image And Destination Personality: The Case Of Beijing

Destination personality, as a viable metaphor of destination marketing, has attracted considerable attention, although empirical studies on this concept remain few. Based on tourism marketing literature, a model depicting the relationships among cognitive destination image, destination personality, and behavioral intentions is proposed. Using an on-site survey of 500 foreign tourists visiting Beijing, an emerging destination, the current study empirically validates that (a) competence, excitement, sophistication, and ruggedness are four building blocks of destination personality; (b) built environment, socially responsible environment, and local people are important in projecting destination personality; and (c) destination personalities—such as competence, excitement, and sophistication—drive tourists' behavioral intentions. The current study provides theoretical implication for knowledge advancement and managerial implications for destination marketing.     

旅游目的地形象的认知与推广模式

探讨了旅游目的地形象概念及其认知的多层面性，分析了旅游目的地形象形成过程，提出了旅游目的地形象推广模式。作者从旅游目的地形象推广组织、旅游目的地形象测量、旅游目的地形象载体与形象推广整合等方面，重点阐述了旅游目的地推广的有关问题。     

How does self-construal shape tourists' image perceptions of paradox destinations? The mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and destination involvement

This study proposes the concept of the ‘paradox destination’ as a novel destination positioning strategy for destination marketers. A paradox destination strategy describes the situation where a destination delivers a brand identity with contradictory personalities. Four experiments were conducted to investigate the interactive effects of self-construal (independent vs. interdependent) and destination type (paradox vs. non-paradox) on the image perception of potential tourists. The results revealed that independent potential tourists have a more positive image perception of paradox destinations than do interdependent potential tourists. Moreover, independent potential tourists reported a more positive image perception of paradox destinations than they did for non-paradox destinations. The mediating effects of cognitive flexibility and destination involvement were also tested by this research. In addition to theoretical implications, this paper also provides practical marketing strategies for destination marketers.     

Applying diffusion theory to destination stakeholder understanding of sustainable tourism development: a case from Thailand

The concept of sustainable tourism development is widely considered to be necessary for successful tourism development, but there is uncertainty over destination stakeholders’ understanding and thus ability to implement the concept. Utilising diffusion theory, this paper explores the diffusion of the sustainable tourism development concept among stakeholders in the tourism destination of Kret Island, Thailand. The primary data collection involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews undertaken with 10 local government authorities and 45 local residents, and data were analysed using content analysis. Interpersonal communication was the key channel for the concept's diffusion, and the involvement of opinion leaders, change agents and social networks in this diffusion was explored. Many local residents were laggards in the diffusion of sustainable tourism development thinking in comparison with local government and local opinion leaders. It is argued that both interpersonal and media communication and the identification of key actors in the community are needed to effectively diffuse sustainable tourism ideas among destination stakeholders. The results validate the use of diffusion theory as a means to understand the transfer of the sustainable tourism development concept among stakeholders, and they also provide information useful for the design of information dissemination programmes.     

Advancing destination image: The destination content model

Knowledge of the mental representations that individuals hold about tourist destinations are important to understand their intentions. These mental destination representations have often been investigated by applying the concept of destination image. This study argues that the extant literature is often rather atheoretical and lacks operational rigor. These are major shortcomings which undoubtedly hinder the development of academic and managerial insights. In response, this study draws on contemporary psychology to develop the destination content model, comprising three informational components held in individuals‘ minds about destinations. The present study further outlines preferable methods and measures for each component, thus aiding researchers to investigate mental destination representations.     

Leverage points of tourism destination competitiveness dynamics

Tourism destination comprises a highly competitive and complex market. This paper integrates the principal factors of destination competitiveness into the Aggregated Model. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, it examines the impact of stakeholders' activities on the principal factors and related sub-factors. It identifies the factors which can be considerably influenced by stakeholders' activities and thus have the potential to become the leverage points of destination competitiveness. However, destination competitiveness is a multi-dimensional concept covering complex relations among the factors of competitiveness. The study exposes such relations by developing a systemic model. It identifies three leverage points that influence the highest number of interrelations in the model. Destination managers can use these points to improve destination competitiveness and its dynamics by focusing cooperation activities with local stakeholders on gathering data and conducting research, undertaking marketing activities, and creating the destination image.     

旅游目的地形象测量:基于国外文献的研究

旅游目的地形象测量方法及实施途径是现今旅游研究中的重要方面,不同的测量方法适用于不同的研究目的。本文综合国外各阶段的有关旅游目的地研究成果,在分析旅游目的地形象概念的基础上,对目的地形象测量所采用的质化、量化及综合测量方法做了较全面的梳理与归纳。     

旅游目的地映象研究述评

旅游目的地映象概念自亨特1971年提出后,引起了学术界的广泛关注,并成为国外旅游学研究的热点问题之一.本文通过对国外有关旅游目的地映象研究文献的分析,从旅游目的地映象的内涵、目的地映象的形成、目的地映象研究的意义、测量与评估等方面进行了综述与评述.最后指出,国内旅游目的地形象设计研究较多,但至今国内旅游目的地映象研究成果有限,有待学者们进一步的探索.     

Do destinations have multiple lifecycles?

This research note tests the proposition empirically that destinations have multiple lifecycles. It studies tourist arrivals to over 200 destination countries and economies over a 35 year period and applies Butler's parameters to map their lifecycles. Six different lifecycle patterns were identified. Empirical findings from this study echo's Baggio's conceptual notation by showcasing that destination lifecycles seems to follow specific traits commensurate with other destinations to form a typology of networked lifecycles. In other words, we go beyond the single-destination lifecycle paradigm to improvise a new research direction that centers on co-occurrence of destination changes that reflect a certain type of lifecycle. It paves the way by introducing the concept of destination coevolution as an analogy to describe lifecycle reciprocity among a cluster of destinations that undergo a similar evolutionary odyssey.     

The “People” Aspect of Destination Attachment in International Tourism

The majority of research on place attachment has been conducted within a domestic context where local culture is fairly familiar to the visitor. International tourism research has begun to address destination attachment, but has not yet fully explored the concept where the people and the culture are substantially different. This research used in-depth qualitative interviews with international visitors to Thailand to examine the role of local people in destination attachment. Results show that one of the main attributes of international visitors’ attachment is the Thai people. A follow-on survey confirmed that “people attachment” is an integral part of the measurement of destination attachment.     

The impact of CSR satisfaction on destination loyalty: a study of MICE travelers in Thailand

The objectives of this research are firstly, to study the characteristics of CSR activities conducted for international business groups. Secondly, to analyze the factors that impact business travelers’ satisfaction with CSR activities, and thirdly, to analyze the influence of satisfaction with CSR activities on destination attachment and destination loyalty. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 127 business participants from three corporate meetings and one convention group. The results reveal the characteristics of CSR activities of corporate meetings and conventions in Thailand. Business travelers’ satisfaction with CSR activities is influenced by their personal altruistic attitudes and the efficacy of local service providers. Satisfaction with CSR activities has a direct impact on destination attachment and an indirect impact on destination loyalty. CSR activities could be used as tools to influence the revisit intention of corporate meeting and convention participants. A CSR activity during a business trip is a novel concept that can be utilized by destination management companies as well as national tourism organizations to develop satisfying tourism products.     

The influence of self-congruity,perceived value,and satisfaction on destination loyalty: a case study of the Korean DMZ

Destination management organizations have increasingly recognized that destination loyalty provides a strategic competitive edge in tourism. In order to better understand the importance of heritage destinations, this study examined the roles of self-congruity, value perception, and travel satisfaction in the development of loyalty in the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) destination context. Data were collected among domestic tourists that had visited the DMZ with tour guides. Results identified that destination loyalty was positively affected by self-congruity and travel satisfaction; travel satisfaction was positively influenced by self-congruity and perceived value; and perceived value was positively influenced by self-congruity. Overall, these findings indicate that the interaction of self-congruity, perceived value, and travel satisfaction to the DMZ is essential in influencing visitors’ destination loyalty.     

基于表征视角的旅游目的地形象内涵及其建构过程解析——以丽江古城为例

旅游目的地的旅游活动与其说是一系列旅游产品的组合,不如说是一个过程、一组实践。以此为基点,文章从符号表征的视角重新审视旅游目的地形象的内涵及其建构过程,解释其中所发生的意义生产、嬗变和争斗的过程,发现旅游目的地形象是一种具有社会、文化、心理3个层面的概念,并具有以下特征：群体共享性和差异性;社会根源性和规范说明性;相对稳定性和长期动态性。旅游目的地形象的建构过程本质上是符号表征功能的运作,而旅游目的地形象建构的意义就在于规范和组织旅游目的地社群和旅游者群体内的旅游活动。     

The formation process of tourist attachment to a destination

Although the concept of emotional attachment has been used in various disciplines, the research on the formation process of tourist attachment to a destination (PTAD) aimed at the state traits of the interaction process between destination and habitation is still limited. This research uses mixed methods-grounded theory (MM-GT) to develop the PTAD scale of the dynamic causal chain consisting of a motivational-cognitive- emotional framework. Qualitative research resulted in the framework that was derived from 16 online travel logs about Hainan Island, China. Quantitative research resulted in the development of 23-item with 6 dimensions PTAD scale with high reliability and validity. The six-dimensional solution discovers those important but underexposure dimensions. Destination managers can use the knowledge of PTAD to help tourists enjoy the psychological process, formulate destination management and marketing strategies, and then win the competition war of destination.     

基于地方情感的旅游目的地选择模型建构研究

旅游目的地选择模型建构的研究多数以微观经济学、认知心理学与市场营销学等为基础理论,较少从个体与地方感情连结的视角探讨游客旅游目的地选择决策行为。文章以旅游目的地选择为研究主轴概念,结合地方情感概念中的旅游目的地意象和地方依恋,根据研究文献梳理结果、基础理论界定模型建构的路径变量与逻辑框架,进而提出基于地方情感的旅游目的地选择模型及模型过程步骤。文章建构模型表明,游客旅游目的地选择始于旅游目的地意象的形成,随着整体认知意象的深化,游客对旅游目的地将产生地方认同感,再通过选择决策行为选择意向的旅游目的地从事旅游活动,通过对旅游目的地旅游体验的功能满足产生依赖感,最终形成对旅游目的地的地方依恋感。研究成果对于旅游目的地选择具有交叉研究的创新价值,对于旅游目的地市场战略规划实践活动而言具有参照价值。     

Destination gender: Scale development and cross-cultural validation

Destination gender traits have attracted considerable attention in the tourism marketing literature, inspired by the concept of branding. A scale to measure destination gender with a Chinese sample is first developed and validated in this study. Then, the scale is tested with a Western sample for comparison. Results show that destination gender is a second-order construct encompassing two first-order constructs (i.e., masculinity and femininity) and their sub-dimensions. Ultimately, a 25-item Destination Gender Scale (DGS) is assembled with four sub-dimensions of masculinity (i.e., dominance, vigor, courage, and competence) and four sub-dimensions of femininity (i.e., grace, softness, gorgeousness, and kindheartedness). Nomological validity results suggest that destination gender is positively related to individuals’ actual/ideal gender identity congruity and revisit intentions irrespective of their biological sex. This study contributes to the destination branding literature by considering destination image through a gender-based lens and presenting a reliable tool to assess destination gender. Destination managers can apply these findings to develop efficient marketing tactics around salient destination gender traits.     

A Conditioned Attitude Model of Individual Discriminatory Behavior—A Rejoinder

Abstract

This article examines tourist travel patterns at the meso level of a destination region. The destination region used for the study was Vancouver Island, British Columbia. A number of hypotheses were examined regarding the summer travel patterns in this relatively closed destination region. These included an assessment of the distance decay concept, as applied to the tourist volumes associated with increasing distance from the principal gateways, and an examination of area familiarity as an explanation of the distortion between reported and actual travel behavior. The actual travel patterns were subsequently used to create a probability matrix of future trip behavior for island visitors. The revealed travel patterns and the probability matrix are used to suggest some future tourism development and planning strategies for Vancouver Island.